How to Murder Your Wife: ‘Dial M for Murder’ at Gulfshore Playhouse in Naples

By Nancy Stetson

If you feel chills running down your spine, it could be another Polar Vortex cold snap in Florida.

Or maybe you’re in Naples, watching Gulfshore Playhouse’s production of Dial M for Murder.

If you’ve seen the iconic 1954 Hitchcock film, you know the basic premise: Tony has married Margot for her wealth. When he discovers she’s having an affair, he anonymously blackmails her. But then he thinks: why not go for all her money.

So he turns around and blackmails an old college classmate into murdering Margot.

Is there such a thing as a perfect murder, the play asks.

Tony, played with smug smarminess by Lucas Dixon, seems to think so.
He has an air-tight alibi. But then, things go awry, as they often do, and Tony has to improvise. Will he get away with it?

This production is a Jeffrey Hatcher adaptation of Frederick Knott’s original 1952 play, so the story’s been streamlined and some things changed,

For example, as we learn early on, Margot (Caitlin Clouthier) isn’t having an affair with a man, but with a woman, Maxine (Ashley Bufkin.) This adds more complexity and layers to the action.

The play opens with the two of them laughing and talking about murder. It’s all abstract for them, as Maxine’s a mystery writer. (Margot’s husband, Tony, is her book publicist, which makes this triangle even more complicated.)

Costume designer Tracy Dorman has clothed these two women in some enticing mid-century dresses, including a shimmery green off-the-shoulder frock for Margot and a sharp geometric red and black power dress for Maxine.

Bufkin plays Maxine with a solid sensibility and drollness, while Clouthier is flirty.

The two come up with a list of motives for murder: money, fear, jealousy, revenge, protecting someone you love.

The play gets darker as Tony plots Margot’s murder and sets his plan into action. (His motives: a little bit of jealousy and revenge, and money, money, money.)

Christopher Joel Onken plays Lesgate, the ne’er-do-well who’s blackmailed into murdering Margot. He’s shifty and feral, trapped like a rat in a corner by Tony.

And of course, because there’s a murder, the law arrives: Liam Craig portrays Inspector Hubbard like a Scotland Yard version of Columbo, rumpled trench coat and all. Craig plays the role with wonderful understatement.

Dial M for Murder isn’t a whodunit, because we know that information from the start. It’s more of a how-does-he-do-it and will-he-get-away-with it.

There are hidden and stolen love letters and keys, stolen kisses and smoldering looks, blackmail and back-stabbings. The story is in the twists and the details, and much of it rests upon small, specific items, including a black Bakelite rotary phone.

As the cheating —and also betrayed—wife, Clouthier has the biggest story arc, which she plays with a wide range of emotions.

Everything takes place in Tony and Margot’s house (scenic design by Linda Buchanan), a large living room with built-in bookcases, mid-century furniture and abstract paintings on the wall. At times, the set feels too big for the characters, and I found myself wishing it had somehow been made cozier and more intimate. It would’ve been better to have felt trapped and claustrophobic, and the spaciousness and height of the set plays against that.

There are some nice effects with the front door and the hall outside it, where some of the vital action takes place. (Lighting designed by Paul Whitaker.) And Whitaker’s lighting combined with Daniel Baker’s sound design contribute greatly to make this a scary play. (There is discordant jazz, ringing phones. buzzing doorbells.)

Director Jackson Gay gets great performances out of all the actors, but I wish she’d made the play even more atmospheric. If some of the pacing had been slowed down, it would’ve heightened the suspense and made it even more exquisite.

Dial M for Murder wasn’t one of Hitchcock’s major films, though some feel it’s underrated. Hitchcock himself didn’t care for it that much, though part of that may be due to the fact that it was originally shot to be shown in 3D. (It was not successful and was soon presented in 2D, which the movie audiences preferred.)

But this production of this newly adapted version has a lot going for it. And audiences are responding; the run’s already been extended to Feb. 6.

At times it’s more cerebral than visceral, and you have to pay attention to the details, but that’s part of the fun. And, surprisingly, there are unexpected moments of humor.

Will Tony get away with it?

Is there such a thing as a perfect murder?

See Dial M for Murder at Gulfshore Playhouse to find out.

Dial M for Murder plays through Feb. 6 on the Moran Mainstage at Gulfshore Playhouse’s Baker Theatre and Education Center, 100 Goodlette-Frank Road South, Naples. Tickets run $39 to $109, with discounts for educators and students (with ID); call (239) 261-7529 or go to www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org.

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