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Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre production of the well-known two act drama “Dial M For Murder” lives up to its billing as a thrilling whodunit drama involving a planned murder that goes in a completely unexpected direction. The play is running now through Sunday, June 7 at the venue located in Coral Gables.
Playwright Jeffrey Hatcher wrote “Dial M For Murder” in 2022 as an adaptation of Frederick Knott’s 1952 play, although most people fondly remember “Dial M For Murder” more as a dramatic, suspenseful 1954 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Grace Kelly, Ray Milland, Bob Cummings and John Williams.
Similar to the 1952 play and 1954 film, the plot is set in London in the 1950s with a story about how Tony Wendice (played by actor Ben Sandomir) plots with Lesgate (Daniel Llaca) in a scheme to murder Tony’s wealthy wife Margot (Mallory Newbrough) whom Tony believes is having an affair with mystery writer Maxine Hadley (Lindsey Corey).
What is distinct about Hatcher’s play is that the person Margot is having an affair with is a woman, unlike the other versions of “Dial M For Murder.” Not only is the new wrinkle in Hatcher’s story clever, but it adds to the suspense given that gay relationships were considered scandalous in the 1950s.
In all probability, most audiences knew from seeing other versions of “Dial M For Murder” that Tony’s plan to murder Margot fails with Lesgate being killed in the physical battle between Lesgate and Margot. But what the audiences could not have known is how Maxine and Margot kept their affair a secret not only from Tony, but from their friends in London,
The suspense builds in spite of the audience knowing Tony’s plan in act one because of the manner in which the five characters manipulate the circumstances of the failed murder plot to arrive at the climax of the play.
Sandomir was brilliant in his portrayal of Tony as the cold hearted schemer who is consumed with many thoughts of how to be rid of Margot in his desire to inherit her money. Sandomir intrigues the audience with his mannerisms and facial expressions each time the other characters come close to realizing that Tony schemed with Lesgate to murder Margot.
As the suspense builds, so do the tensions between Maxine and Margot. Margot started to doubt whether Maxine truly loved her or whether she conspired with Tony on the murder scheme. Both Corey and Newbrough were convincing in their roles as their tense dialogue brought out deep emotions between Margot and Maxine.
Inspector Hubbard (Stephen G. Anthony) is torn between seeing Margot convicted of murder, while being highly suspicious of Tony as he ponders on how to trap Tony into revealing the scheme as revealed in the climax.
Along with the five actors, credits go to Actors’ Playhouse Artistic Director David Arisco for his skilled direction,along with Scenic Designer K. April Soroko for creating the authentic 1950s look of Margot and Tony’s home and Costume Designer Ellis Tillman for the stylish dresses of both women.
Also outstanding was Fight Director Lee Soroko’s staging of the murder scene of Lesgate and Margot, built on quick movements and the tense dialogue between Lesgate and Margot.
“Dial M For Murder” offers a new perspective on the well-known 1952 play and 1954 film and is filled with drama and suspense.
Playwright Jeffrey Hatcher’s two act drama “Dial M For Murder” is currently running through Sunday, June 7 at Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. Tickets range from $50-$95. For show times, tickets and more information, call 305-444-9293 or go to actorsplayhouse.org
