DARK COMEDY: Hester Young as Myra Bruhl and Ed Forsthoffer as Sidney Bruhl in the upcoming production of the comedy-thriller “Deathtrap,” April 4-13 at the Kelsey Theatre on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor Campus.

A washed-up Broadway playwright has a plan to revive his career: a plan that involves theft, betrayal, and murder in the dark comedy-thriller Deathtrap, presented by Maurer Productions OnStage at the Kelsey Theatre, April 4-13, on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor Campus.

Deathtrap is the story of world-famous playwright Sidney Bruhl, who is suffering from a chronic case of writer’s block. But inspiration strikes when one of his former students shows him what might be the next Broadway hit, motivating Sidney and his wife to concoct a deadly plan to make the manuscript their own. Throw in an eccentric psychic and stuffy lawyer, and “Deathtrap” is as funny as it is serious.

Written by Ira Levin in 1978, Deathtrap holds the record for the longest-running comedy-thriller on Broadway. It was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Play, and was adapted into a film starring Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve and Dyan Cannon in 1982.

Shows are April 4 and 5 at 8 p.m.; April 12 at 2 and 8 p.m.; and April 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $22. Visit Kelseytheatre.org.