Theater Review: "Dial M for Murder" at Westport Country Playhouse

by Nancy Sasso Janis

Westport Country Playhouse has decided to “Dial M For Murder,” presenting a new adaptation of the classic suspense thriller full of blackmail and revenge. The script was adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, from the original play by British playwright Frederick Knott. The production is Mark Lamos final directing work at the Playhouse prior to his planned retirement in January 2024 after 15 seasons as artistic director.

I had no experience with this thriller so I enjoyed taking the twisted journey with the five characters for the first time. This new adaptation, written by Hatcher and approved by the Knott estate, opened last year at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego.

The new version purports to offer even more surprises and diabolic twists than the well-known Alfred Hitchcock film. In the plot, Tony is convinced that his wealthy wife Margot has been cheating on him. Even though it seems that the affair is over, the jealous husband spins a web of suspicion and deception that ensnares the couple in danger, recrimination and murder.

Hatcher kept the original setting of London in the 1950s, but changed the character of Max Halliday to Maxine Hadley, making the love affair with Margot a lesbian one. This and other changes earned critical praise and the adaptation has had many productions since its premiere.
The Equity cast members do well with the classic characters under Lamos’ direction. Hatcher's adaptation of the classic suspense thriller is a very smart, trimmed, and attention-grabbing update of Knott's well-spun tale of jealousy, deception and homicide.

Kate Abbruzzese plays the naive Margot Wendice and does well with the nuances of the character. She appeared as Sarah in “Espejos: Clean” at both Hartford Stage and Syracuse Stage, in television’s ”The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” as well as in the role of Margot Wendice in “Dial M For Murder” at The Old Globe.

Patrick Andrews is the devious Tony Wendice and is chillingly effective. This character has been changed from a tennis pro to a failed writer relegated to working as Maxine’s book publicist. Andrews has appeared in “Romeo and Juliet,” “Red,” and “Camelot” in Westport under the direction of Mark Lamos.

Kate Burton is a standout in the role of Inspector Hubbard, a classic British detective who is traditionally played by a male actor in this piece. Despite the fact that she does not appear until the second act, her stage presence is enormous. The three Tony and Emmy nominated and Emmy winner is a professor at USC, Brown and a Brown/Yale grad, and in addition to her numerous Broadway appearances, she appeared in Shonda Rhimes’ miniseries “Inventing Anna.”
Krystel Lucas is cast as Margot’s ex-lover, formerly Mark and now dubbed Maxine, a very smart bisexual who is an American crime-fiction author. The lovely actress of color hits all of the correct beats and gets to wear some of the best costumes.

Denver Milord plays Lesgate, a con man with many aliases who is an old acquaintance of Tony’s from Cambridge University. The actor was recently part of “Straight White Men” in Westport and does well with this slimy character.

I appreciated the careful costume design by Fabian Fidel Aguilar that faithfully evokes the era in the lines of the outfits for all of the characters. Sound designer Kate Marvin inserts some demonic music between the acts, and there is a great set designed by Alexander Dodge that evokes a well-appointed flat in 1950s London, with moody and effective lighting designed by Emma Deane.
Kudos to Lamos on a professional and polished production of “Dial M For Murder” and many thanks for an impressive body of work at Westport Country Playhouse during his 15 season tenure.

The play is performed with one 15-minute intermission during which to catch your breath and it runs a little over two hours. It is recommended for ages 12 and up. By popular demand, “Dial M for Murder” has been extended through July 30, with added performance that day at 3 p.m.
Tickets are available at westportplayhouse.org/show/dial-m-for-murder

Dial M Photos by Carol Rosegg

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.