'Deathtrap' Coming to Empire Stage

(Press Release) FORT LAUDERDALE, FL:  Janice Hamilton – Actress, Singer, Auctioneer, and Business Woman, will add Producer to her resume when Upstage Productions – her brand-new theatre company - debuts with Ira Levin’s Deathtrap at Empire Stage this fall.  The show will run from October 10th through November 2nd at the popular Fort Lauderdale venue.

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Ira Levin’s (Rosemary’s Baby) Deathtrap is an ingeniously constructed play that offers a rare and skillful blend of gasp-producing thrills and raucous laughter.  It provides twists and turns and sudden shocks in abundance as it follows the machinations of Sidney Bruhl, a writer of thrillers, whose recent offerings have been flops, and who is prepared to go to any lengths and use any devious means to improve his fortunes.

Janice Hamilton, through her company Hamilton Fundraising Auctions, has raised millions of dollars for hundreds of not-for-profit organizations and causes over the past thirty years. She also has an impressive film, television, and theatrical resume and has been featured in numerous productions throughout South Florida.  Some of her credits include City of Angels and Crazy for You (Jupiter Theatre); RX and Gingerbread Lady (Boca Stage); The Savannah Sipping Society, Morning After Grace, The Long Weekend (Pigs Do Fly Productions), Don’t Dress for Dinner (Caldwell Theatre); Hotel on Marvin Gardens (Actor’s Playhouse); Mystery of Love & Sex (Primal Forces); Anton in Show Business (Red Barn Theatre); Dames at Sea (Shores Performing Arts); and Menopause, the Musical (G-Four Productions). She toured the US in the award-winning comedy Viagra Falls opposite Harold Gould and appeared Off-Broadway in The Dutchman and Be Happy For Me. Her television and film credits include As the World Turns, Miami Sands, Boynton Beach Club, Lost Everything, Life’s a Drag, and Just My Type, and the Hallmark film A Royal Makeover, which was recently released on Amazon Prime.  

 “I chose Deathtrap as our opening production because I adore the murder-mystery genre and thought the timing was perfect in conjunction with Halloween”, Hamilton says. “Plus, Deathtrap is a comedy and pure escapism, something I believe is we all need in the present social climate.”

Deathtrap will be directed by Hamilton’s long-time collaborator DK Kondelik, who has also agreed to act as prop master and set dresser for the production.

Kondelik shares Upstage Productions’ artistic philosophy: “Whether on stage or in the classroom, we strive for artistic excellence that entertains, challenges, and inspires. Our mission is to celebrate the joy of live performance while elevating voices and provoking meaningful dialogue,” she says.  

Deathtrap will run at Empire Stage from October 10th through November 2nd.  Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online at https://upstageproductions.net or by calling 954-678-1496. ​