Dial ‘M’ For Murder at the Lonny Chapman Theatre
Listen to this articleDial M for Murder is a 1954 American crime mystery film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings and John Williams. The screenplay and the successful stage play on which it was based were written by English playwright Frederick Knott.
The play premiered in 1952 on BBC Television, before being performed on stage in the same year in London’s West End in June, and then later in New York on Broadway. Now you will find it directed by Bruce Kimmel on stage at The Group Rep at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood, California where it is just as powerful, captivating and entertaining as it has ever been.
A once upon a time tennis star is living with and off of the largesse of his wife who has a romantic involvement with another man. The former tennis star comes to the realization that the only benefit of his relationship is her money and that should she die he would have it all. So the former tennis star devises a thorough and brilliant plan to murder his wife; well more specifically to have his wife murdered.
The execution of the murder is almost but not quite perfect. In a twist of events the wife kills her intended murderer in self-defense yet somehow she becomes the murderer of her intended murderer, is tried and sentenced to death.
So it seems the tennis star will still get his wish in a totally unexpected way. But as they always do when they originate from the minds of Frederick Knott and Alfred Hitchcock the situation takes a very much unexpected turn. The end is fascinating but the journey to that end is riveting and performed by a five star cast that make Dial ‘M’ for Murder one of the most compelling shows on stage in Los Angeles right now.
Each player is brilliant in his or her own way but I found the performance by Doug Haverty as Inspector Hubbard to be nothing short of amazing. I also give totally unqualified kudos to the entire cast. The show is in three acts with two intermissions but it runs seamlessly with never a dull moment.
If you enjoy fascinating and profound mental stimulation you will love this show. If not you can always stay home and watch The Kardashians. But to enjoy Dial ‘M’ for Murder now through August13, 2017 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood, California either go online to [email protected] or call 818-763-5990. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
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Photos by Doug Engalla
Ron Irwin was born in Chicago, Illinois a long time ago. He served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam, became a trial lawyer, TV and radio host, CEO of a public company and once held an Emmy. He never won an Emmy he just held one. Ron has written and published twelve books. His most important book to date is “Live, Die, Live Again” in which Ron tells of his early life and his unexpected and very temporary death in 2012. That experience dramatically refocused his life and within the pages of that book Ron reveals how he achieved a much healthier life, ridding himself of Diabetes, Cancer and Heart Failure. Now Ron enjoys writing about many things including health topics, travel [he has circled the globe several times], adventure, culinary experiences and the world of performing art. Ron’s motto is “Live better, live longer and live stronger because it feels great and annoys others.” Contact the author.