|
Regional Reviews: Phoenix Dial M for Murder
The plot centers around Tony Wendice, who plans the perfect crime to murder his wealthy wife Margot and inherit her fortune. After discovering that Margot has been unfaithful with her close relationship with aspiring American mystery writer Maxine Halliday, Tony decides to execute a flawless plan of deception and manipulation involving an old school acquaintance to do the dirty work. However, as with any perceived "perfect" crime, complications arise, and Tony's plan begins to spiral out of control. Hatcher's adaptation premiered at The Old Globe in San Diego in 2022. It brings a fresh perspective to Knott's thriller by subtly modernizing themes and fleshing out some of the characters without altering much of the original plot, keeping the time and setting intact. Hatcher's script enhances Margot's role, making her more than just a victim within Tony's sinister scheme and also incorporates Maxine more into helping with the deduction of the murder plot. His decision to change the sex of Margot's love interest adds a modern perspective and an interesting exploration of the relationship dynamics of the love triangle in the play. However, while the lesbian subplot may make it resonate with contemporary audiences, Hatcher's changes don't really add much to a thriller that was already fairly well plotted. While it seems at first like a gimmick to change the original script's Max to Maxine and the characters sex from male to female, it actually makes the blackmail of Margot over the letter that Maxine sent her work quite well since the desire to not want a homosexual liaison made public in the 1950s seems much more detrimental than Knott's original possible revelation of a heterosexual affair. With many fun, unexpected twists and turns that keep the audience guessing, Michael John Garcés' direction effectively builds the suspense steadily throughout, delivering several moments of gripping tension. He also ensures the cast create effective and realistic characters. However, there are a few moments of humor that seem out of place, several times when the acting borders on melodrama, and some prolonged pauses that threaten to stop the forward momentum of the plot. Fortunately, the cast is excellent, with each delivering distinct portrayals. As Tony Wendice, the charming yet calculating husband, Dan Domingues perfectly creates a character who thrives on control and cunning, making his every action both riveting and repulsive. Awesta Zarif is wonderful as Margot Wendice, Tony's elegant and strong-willed wife. Zarif brings an intriguing combination of vulnerability and resilience to Margot, making her more than just a victim. As Maxine Halliday, Margot's lover, Lucy Lavely brings both warmth and intensity, representing a foil to Tony's sinister intentions and an intelligent woman who uses her knowledge in writing murder mysteries to her advantage. Peter Howard is excellent as Inspector Hubbard, the sharp and methodical, but also slightly comical, detective who unravels the layers of deceit, and understudy Sam McInerney is appropriately unsure of his involvement in the murder plot and also just a bit creepy as Lesgate, Tony's blackmailed accomplice. Each character is richly developed and the interactions among the cast members are sharp, especially the tight bond between Zarif and Lavely, drawing the audience deeper into the intricacies of Tony's plot and the web of lies that surrounds it. James Noone's set design is impressive, with large mirrored walls on the sides of the stage that give a lovely feel of the luxurious details of the Wendices' upscale London apartment. The decision to not have a back wall of the apartment but only the front door so we can see the staircase outside the main entrance into their flat works quite well since that staircase serves as a pivotal plot element, However, the important fifth step of the staircase that's key to the plot is hidden when the door is shut, which detracts from the most important moment in the play. If the staircase wasn't centered or the door shifted over a few feet, that step would have been visible throughout those crucial scenes. Patrick Holt's costumes are authentic, with period-appropriate attire that reflects each character's personality and social status. The rich lighting design by Tom Ontiveros and Daniel Perelstein Jaquette's evocative sound design create an atmosphere of suspense that reflects the building tension. Dial M for Murder at Arizona Theatre Company captures the intrigue and suspense of Knott's original while also updating it for a modern audience. Hatcher's adaptation, combined with strong performances, a gorgeous set, and evocative costumes, makes for a thrilling theatrical experience that keeps the audience hooked until the end. Dial M for Murder, an Arizona Theatre Company production, runs through November 3, 2024, at the Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.arizonatheatre.org or call 833-2827328. Director: Michael John Garcés Cast: (in alphabetical order) *Member, Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States |
