Courtesy photo Williston's Entertainment Inc! takes to the stage this week with its newest production "Dial 'M' for Murder" starting Thursday at Williston's Old Armory Theatre.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, through Monday, Feb. 15, at Wlliston's Old Armory Theatre and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14. There is no evening show on Sunday and Friday’s production is a cocktail theater for those 21 and over.
The Entertainment Inc! Web site states “The movie and the play tell the story of a former tennis pro who plots to kill his wife after learning of her infidelity. He appears to have devised the perfect plan, until an unexpected plot twist threatens to derail his sinister scheme. This murder mystery will keep on the edge of your seat.”
“It should be a fun evening for everyone,” said director Jim Ryen, who has been with Entertainment Inc! since 1982. “The actors are having fun and it’s been a fun ensemble to work with.”
He said the production is a story of infidelity, duplicity, greed and cunning. "I would say each character has more than one personality, making it a real interesting play,” Ryen said. “It’s more of an intrigue thriller than an absolute mystery.”
He said Hitchcock did the movie “because it had new topics of the day “ the woman was cheating on her husband. She’s got an intrigue all of her own.”
This role of Margo Wendice is played by Susan LeBar.
The tennis pro Tony Wendice, played by Mitch Melberg, is Margo’s husband and “he definitely has an evil side to him,” Ryen said. “Once you meet Mitch onstage, you learn to despise him. He has such great lines that you’d kind of like to slap him up side the head!”
Entertainment Inc! newcomer Andrew Kuester plays the third member of the love triangle, Max Halliday.
“He just moved to America and in the movie he’s an arrogant American, but we’re not playing him that way,” Ryen said. “He’s there as an author. The intrigue really comes from this love triangle.”
The role of Inspector Hubbard is played by Eric Pozgay, a “smart cop who doesn’t always come off smart,” Ryen said. “It’s a little frustrating because you think he would catch on, but you’re not sure he will ever catch on. In this movie was the first time Hitchcock said he’s tired of having dumb cops with smart private investigators.”
Steve Christensen plays Capt. Lesgate, “who’s kind of down and out,” Ryen said. “He’s caught between a rock and a hard place. His job is to get out of the hard place.”
Rounding out the cast is DaeMynn Stevens, taking on the multiple roles of Thompson, police, Wilson, O’Brien and Roger.
“He’s got one on-stage role, for the other four he’s a voice,” Ryen said. “He’s been my right hand man, stage manager, and also the one who is going to keep the backstage together. He’s just been a good all-around hand to have around.”
Tickets for the play can be purchased by calling the box office at 577-3179.
The production’s corporate sponsor is First National Bank and Trust Company of Williston.
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