Feb. 10, 2026

Contact Dan Pivovar at daniel.pivovar@gmail.com

LA CROSSE, Wis. – A snowbound manor, a group of strangers, and a killer on the loose—Agatha Christie’s legendary whodunit will keep audiences guessing with clever twists and chilling suspense as the Viterbo University Conservatory for the Performing Arts presents The Mousetrap Friday, Feb 20–Sunday, Feb. 22 in the Weber Center for the Performing Arts Lyche Theatre.

The Mousetrap is the longest running play in the world, having opened on London’s West End in 1952 and surpassing 30,000 performances in 2025.

“I think it’s that human need for mystery and intrigue that makes the play so popular,” said Dan Pivovar, the director of the production. “It’s why many people are obsessed with the true crime genre today. The Mousetrap is a genre-defining piece of theatre by a genre-defining author. It threads the needle really well between mystery, humor, drama, and suspense. It’s a one of the classic mysteries in the theatre canon.”

This production stars Viterbo students Sam Asid, Xavier Carnicom, Carley Clover, Angel Hernandez, Lauren Huserik, Kayden Kloehn, Will Markert, Ellie Parish, and Thomas Rise, who Pivovar praised for their impressive talent and work ethic.

“I think audiences will especially enjoy the contrast and juxtaposition of the characters,” Pivovar said. “Each character has a big and distinct personality. Some get along and some don’t, and there is a lot of funny and witty banter as the audience tries to unravel the puzzle and figure out the ending. Everyone loves a good whodunnit.”

Affectionately nicknamed “The Queen of Crime,” Agatha Christie is widely-considered one of the greatest writers of all time, especially in the mystery genre. She is the author of more 66 detective novels, including famous titles such as And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, and Death on the Nile. More than two billion copies of her books have been sold, making her the second best-selling author of all time behind only William Shakespeare.

The Mousetrap is recommended for ages 10 and older. It is a murder mystery with suspenseful moments, but no graphic content. It is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.

Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20–21 and 2 p.m. Feb. 22. Tickets are $25 plus taxes and fees. For more information or to order tickets, contact the Viterbo box office at 608-796-3100 or visit www.viterbo.edu/tickets.

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