Review: DIAL M FOR MURDER at Derby Dinner Playhouse

Brian Bowman, Cary Wiger (front), and Tina Jo Wallace in Dial "M" For Murder. Photo courtesy of Derby Dinner.

Dial M for Murder

By Frederick Knott

Produced and Directed by Bekki Jo Schneider

Reviewed by Taylor Clemons

Entire contents copyright © 2016 Taylor Clemons. All rights reserved.

Based on the classic Hitchcock film of the same name, Dial M for Murder has arrived at Derby Dinner Playhouse just in time to get your horror fill this Halloween!

The show is set in London in the living room of Margot and Tony Windice. We first meet Margot (Tina Jo Wallace) and Max Halliday (Brian Bowman). Max is television writer from America on vacation in London. The audience quickly learns that they have some kind of history, and haven't seen each other in a year. We then meet Tony (Cary Wiger), who due to work can not go out with Max and Margot to the theater. As soon as they are gone, Tony calls Captain Lesgate (David Meyers) to discuss the possibility of Tony buying a used car. Lesgate agrees to meet Tony at his apartment to discuss it. Soon after Lesgate arrives, we learn that Tony has a secret and a thirst for revenge against his wife who he suspects was unfaithful.

If you haven't seen the original film (like me) I don't want to spoil anything for you. All you really need to know is that the show is a suspenseful thriller, that shouldn't be missed. Performances from the entire cast were wonderful. Cary Wiger carries the show with ease, and brings a wonderful calculated nature to his role. Tina Jo Wallace is wonderfully innocent and naive, while commanding the stage as Margot. Brian Bowman does a wonderful job as Max, he and Wallace have wonderful chemistry once again. David Meyers has more of a smaller role, but he delivers in spades making up for his lack of stage time. Last but not least, J.R. Stuart is absolutely brilliant as Inspector Hammond, a character that we meet towards the beginning of the second act.

The set is beautifully designed by Lee Buckholtz. The stunning decor gives a wonderful 50's feel. Even though it is stationary, it's the perfect backdrop to this chilling thriller. The direction by Bekki Jo Schneider is serviceable, but a show like this really is very performance driven more than anything. The costumes by Sharon Murray Harrah are beautifully done, and extremely fitting for the place and time that the show occurs.

Overall, I highly recommend you catch this show during the rest of it's run. It has wonderful performances, and a plot that will undoubtedly keep you guessing right up to the final moments.

Dial M for Murder

October 5 - November 13, 2016

Derby Dinner Playhouse

525 Marriott Drive

Clarksville, IN 47129

(812) 288-8281

Derbydinner.org

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