When a brilliant career is dying before your eyes, sometimes ethics and morality are the last things to cross your mind.

As options fall by the wayside, something becomes drastically clear — you need a solution and nothing will stand in your way.

“Deathtrap,” a thriller that found success on both the Broadway stage and the big screen, opens this Friday at the Ames Community Theater.

The story centers around Sydney Bruhl, a successful playwright whose brilliant career has suddenly met a dry spell. Feeling unencouraged, the disillusioned Sydney stumbles upon his salvation, a bright young student named Clifford Anderson. Sydney quickly befriends Clifford, sensing that his fresh talent may somehow come in handy.

Sydney’s intuition pays off as Clifford, seeking advice from his new mentor, quickly hands over his latest creation. In his hands, Sydney finds the manuscript to a play that has been read by no one and is bound to become a Broadway smash.

Seeing a way to save his career before it becomes extinct, Sydney and his wife Myra plot to invite the budding writer to their home for dinner — and a taste of death.

“Don’t let yourself think you know what’s going to happen,” Kathy Divine, publicity liaison for “Deathtrap,” said. “It’s quite a tricky script. Lots of twists and turns and surprises.”

Divine said the cast and crews have been very dedicated to putting together a show that will be enjoyable for any audience.

“If people are intimidated by going to theater events, this would be an excellent show for them to wet their feet with. It’s not like some of the classics. It’s made for an audience to enjoy as well as a theater critic,” she said.

Although auditions were held before Thanksgiving break, the first scheduled rehearsal was not held until Jan. 5 due to the holiday season.

The cast, asked to come to the rehearsal with the script memorized, has been blocking and rehearsing together for only four weeks. Although the community theater has been working on a schedule more typical of professional theater, the actors have been able to produce a very strong show.

“The cast is working with a very organized director who has given the cast and crew a lot of responsibility. They’ve really gone with it,” Divine said.

David Michael, the face behind Sydney, attributes the quick success of the rehearsal process to the professionalism of everyone involved with the show. He said cast members came to the first rehearsal ready to work on the mechanics and characterizations for each of their roles.

“It’s far beyond where it would normally be. I’m very pleased with it. A good deal of this is due to our director (Mike Deaton). He’s really handled it professionally,” Michael said.

The realistic set, which Divine said is one of the technical highlights of the show, is complete with french doors and unique exits. Antique weapons decorate the walls of Sydney’s study and it includes a fireplace. Actual furniture from Interiors on Main and Home Furniture and Appliance complete the life-like effect.

Divine also said the play is typical of the high entertainment value script ACTORS patrons have come to expect.

“They’ve chosen some scripts that really challenge a community theater to do their best,” she said. “They challenge the audience and don’t insult their intelligence.”

Michael added that Deathtrap is unique because of the mix of tragedy and comedy throughout the script.

“It is a very well-written murder mystery set-up, with a dark satirical comedy. It’s a really good blend,” Michael said.

“Deathtrap” opens Friday, with additional performances Saturday and Feb. 6 and 7 at 8 p.m., as well as Feb. 1 and 8 at 2 p.m. at the ACTORS Studio.

Tickets are $9 for students and seniors and $10 for adults and may be purchased at John Huber Clothier, 404 Main Street, or at the box office one hour before each show.