Dial M for Murder, Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, CT, USA

We had the pleasure of seeing Dial M for Murder on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, which was a departure for us as we usually attend opening night but were traveling. Attending Tuesday night gave us a different perspective, and the theatre was filled with appreciative patrons. For the past 92 years the WCP has delivered quality theatre, and if the walls could talk, oh the wonderful stories they would tell of the times that Ethyl Barrymore, Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Tallulah Bankhead, Gloria Swanson, and so many more graced their stage.

Denver Milord (Lesgate), Patrick Andrews (Tony Wendice)
Dial M for Murder

As longtime Hitchcock fans, we had watched his classic 1954 film adaptation starring Grace Kelly, Ray Milland, John Williams, Robert Cummings, Anthony Dawson, and George Alderson many times, although this was our first time seeing the play version. As with many plays and films, the play written by Frederick Knott came first and premiered on the London stage in 1952.

Krystel Lucas (Maxine Hadley),
Kate Abbruzzese (Margot Wendice)
Dial M for Murder

While the performance at the Westport Country Playhouse was exceptional, it varies from the film version, with new twists and turns that kept us on the edge of our seats guessing "who did it" until the very end of the play. The WCP excels at set design, and the set design by Alexander Dodge was stunning. Costumes define the characters, and Fabian Fidel Aguilar’s vision for each of the characters was sensational.

Kate Abbruzzese (Margot Wendice)
Dial M for Murder

Director Mark Lamos elicits the best from his well-chosen cast of Kate Abbruzzese in the role as the beautiful and wealthy Margot Wendice, Patrick Andrews plays her devious and deceitful husband, Tony Wendice, Broadway Veteran Kate Burton (daughter of Richard Burton) plays Inspector Hubbard, Krystel Lucas plays the glamorous lover and writer Maxine Hadley, and Denver Milord rounds out the cast as the killer for hire, Lesgate.

Patrick Andrews (Tony Wendice),
Kate Abbruzzese (Margo Wendice)
Dial M for Murder

Returning to the WCP stage for Dial M for Murder were Patrick Andrews (Romeo+Juliet, Camelot, and Red) and Denver Milord (Straight White Men, Tiny Houses) and we were happy to see them back onstage there.

Kate Burton (Inspector Hubbard)
Dial M for Murder

The plot of Dial M for Murder is that Margot and her husband Tony have married for convenience, however when their marriage is no longer convenient, action must be taken, and as the saying goes, the plot thickens. The plot will have you sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to see what will develop as one twist leads to another and another, for a culmination that is sheer genius. When the appreciative audience gave the actors a standing ovation, it was well deserved. Bravo!

If you need a little summer excitement in the form of great theatre, do see Dial M for Murder at the Westport Country Playhouse!

Kate Abbruzzese (Margo Wendice), Krystel Lucas (Maxine Hadley),
Patrick Andrews (Tony Wendice), Kate Burton (Inspector Hubbard)
Dial M for Murder

Until next time, keep enjoying and supporting the arts!

To see a preview of the play, watch the Dial M for Murder show trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bOj9iIR1iM

Dial M for Murder Performance Schedule: Tuesday at 7:00 pm, Wednesday at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm, Thursday at 7:00 pm, Friday at 8:00 pm, Saturday at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sunday at 3:00 pm.

The play’s run time is 2 hours including a 15-minute intermission.

Dial M for Murder Cast:

Dial M for Murder Creative Team

Current Performance at the Westport Country Playhouse

Upcoming Performances at the Westport Country Playhouse

"Founded in 1931, the mission of Westport Country Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater of the highest caliber and the welcoming experience of the Playhouse campus. The not-for-profit Playhouse provides this experience in multiple ways by offering live theater experiences of the highest quality, under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos; educational and community engagement events to further explore the work on stage; the New Works Initiative, a program dedicated to the discovery, development, and production of new live theatrical works; special performances and programs for students and teachers with extensive curriculum support material; Script in Hand play readings to deepen relationships with audiences and artists; the renowned Woodward Internship Program during the summer months for aspiring theater professionals; Family Festivities presentations to delight young and old alike and to promote reading through live theater; and the beautiful and historic Playhouse campus open for enjoyment and community events year-round."

"The mission of Westport Country Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater worth talking about and the welcoming experience of the Playhouse campus. The not-for-profit Playhouse provides this experience in multiple ways by offering live theater experiences of the highest quality, under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos; educational and community engagement events to further explore the work on stage; the New Works Initiative, a program dedicated to the discovery, development, and production of new live theatrical works; special performances and programs for students and teachers with extensive curriculum support material; Script in Hand play readings to deepen relationships with audiences and artists; the renowned Woodward Internship Program during the summer months for aspiring theater professionals; Family Festivities presentations to delight young and old alike and to promote reading through live theater; youth performance training through Broadway Method Academy, Westport Country Playhouse’s resident conservatory program; and the beautiful and historic Playhouse campus open for enjoyment and community events year-round."

The Westport Country Playhouse, named as "Theatre Company of the Year" in December 2013 by The Wall Street Journal, opened on June 29, 1931, in a transformed 1835 cow barn, which has, and continues to attract, a "who’s who" of prominent actors.

Looking at the framed posters of the past shows that line the lobby walls is like entering an encyclopedia of the arts. A few of the renowned actors who have appeared on the stage there include Ethyl Barrymore, Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Tallulah Bankhead, Gloria Swanson, Don Ameche, Hume Cronin and Jessica Tandy, Jane Fonda, Danny Aiello, Blythe Danner, Jill Clayburgh, Richard Dreyfus, Whoopi Goldberg, Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters, Lynn Redgrave, Gene Wilder, and Westport residents Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman.

For additional information or to purchase tickets, please call the Box Office at +1-203-227-4177, email them at boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org, or visit the website at www.WestportPlayhouse.org.

Westport Country Playhouse
25 Powers Court
Westport, Connecticut 06880
United States
Box Office: +1-203-227-4177
Toll-Free: 1-888-927-7529
Website: www.WestportPlayhouse.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WestportCountryPlayhouse
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wcplayhouse
Twitter: @wcplayhouse

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