NEWS

Murder mystery to close Footlight Players season

Staff report

COSHOCTON – A story filled with murder-for-hire, blackmail and betrayal is set to open at the Triple Locks Theater.

The Coshocton Footlight Players will present "Dial M for Murder" at 8 p.m. May 8-9, May 15-16 and 22-23.

Samantha Servais, as Margot Wendice, Nick Fischer, seated, as Max Halliday, and Larry Badgley, as Tony Wendice, will perform in the Coshocton Footlight Players’ presentation of “Dial M for Murder.”

Tony Wendice (Larry Badgley, returning to the Triple Locks stage for the first time in 10 years) married his wife Margot (Samantha Servais) for her money and now plans to murder her to take it all. He blackmails a scoundrel from his past (Nick Fischer) to commit the deed while Tony establishes the perfect alibi. However, the scheme doesn't go as planned and reckless decisions follow, leading to the play's conclusion. Rounding out the cast are Glenn Mishler as Captain Lesgate, Bernie Kinney as Inspector Hubbard and Michael Rainwater as Thompson.

Glenn Mishler will perform the role of Captain Lesgate in the Coshocton Footlight Players’ presentation of “Dial M for Murder.”

The approximate two-and-half-hour play was made into a 1954 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock starring Ray Milland, Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings. Director Susan Metz said the Hitchcock connection along with the chance to do a 1950s period piece and a dramatic thriller, something not often done by the Footlight Players, were her reasons for submitting the work to the committee that chooses plays for the community theater group.

Metz saw a production of "Dial M" in Cleveland and was impressed with the professional sound design by Joe Court, of Chicago. She contacted him and the Footlight Players were able to license his work for the show.

An opening night reception will be at 7 p.m. May 8 featuring champagne and chocolate treats. Attendees are encouraged to dress in a 1950s style.

For tickets call the box office at 740-622-2959 from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday or from 2 to 4 p.m. on performance days or go online to footlightplayers.com. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for those 17 and younger.