Classic Hitchcock thriller ‘Dial ‘M’ For Murder’ opens at Florida Rep

From the left: Giles Davies, Deanna Gibson and Brendan Powers in “Dial M for Murder.” Florida Repertory Theatre’s second play in its 12th season, the classic Hitchcockian thriller “Dial ‘M’ for Murder” by Frederick Knott, opens Dec. 4, with discounted previews on Dec. 1-3.

“Dial ‘M’ for Murder” is pure suspenseful fun, and the quintessential murder mystery that was made famous by the 1954 Hitchcock film starring Grace Kelly.

“Audiences will love this play because it’s pure, old-fashioned suspense,” said Producing Artistic Director Robert Cacioppo. “It hearkens back to the murder mysteries and thrillers of the silver screen, and Hollywood doesn’t make movies like it anymore. That is what I want this play to feel like: a classic thriller come to life on the stage.”

Like any good thriller, “Dial ‘M’ for Murder” is a tangled web of deceit and intrigue. It is a dark and dangerous story full of forbidden love, chilling suspense, blackmailers and backstabbers — figuratively and literally. Less of a “whodunit,” and more of a “will he get away with,” the play tells the story of a former tennis pro, Tony Wendice, who married for money and is willing to kill for it. Audiences will be on the edge of their seats every thrilling moment as Tony’s plot to murder his wife unravels before his eyes.

Florida Rep’s production stars regulars Brendan Powers, Deanna Gibson and Tad Ingram. Ms. Gibson plays Margot, Tony’s beautiful heiress wife, and Powers the American crime novelist with whom she has had an affair. Both were seen most recently in the smash hit, “Boeing-Boeing,” which opened the Rep’s 12th season. Mr. Ingram is a five-time Broadway veteran who appeared in last season’s “Alone Together” and plays the Scotland Yard investigator Inspector Hubbard. Actor Giles Davies comes to the Rep after many years with Cincinnati Shakespeare and is making his Florida Rep debut as Tony, the treacherous villain in “Dial ‘M’ for Murder.”

Producing Artistic Director Robert Cacioppo (“Boeing-Boeing,” “The Last Romance”), directs the production and leads an expert team of designers, all of whom have worked extensively in New York, regionally and with Florida Rep. Set designer Robert F. Wolin (“The Middle Ages”), lighting designer Aaron Meadow (“My Three Angels”), sound designer Kate Smith (“Boeing-Boeing”), costume designer Janelle Turco (Florida Rep debut) and stage manager Julie Richardson (Actors’ Theatre of Louisville; Alabama Shakespeare) have worked closely to design a production that looks and feels like a silver-screen thriller direct from 1954.

“‘Dial ‘M’ for Murder’ is a classic for a reason,” Mr. Cacioppo said. “Hitchcock made it famous, and we are very excited to bring this silver screen masterpiece to life at the Arcade Theatre.”

Dial ‘M’ for Murder is sponsored by ‘Tween Waters Inn, Naomi Bloom and Ron Wallace and Northern Trust Bank. Set furnishings generously provided by Robb & Stucky Interiors.

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre on Bay Street between Jackson and Hendry with convenient free parking in the Fort Myers River District. Visit the Rep online at www.floridarep.org. 