Great Lakes Theater’s ‘Dial M For Murder’ is the nearly perfect show

Great Lakes Theater is well known for presenting classic works that include a wide array of Shakespearean works as well as traditional contemporary plays. Currently on stage is the classic thriller “Dial M For Murder” of which no effort has been spared in order to get the show just right. The show is adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the original script by Frederick Knott. The show features Jeff Herrman’s envy worthy stage set of a well appointed late 1940s London flat that includes Frank Lloyd Wright style windows and bar, Scandinavian style furniture and period room lighting. The room design itself could be considered a character in its own right.

Darrin J. Pufall Purdy’s elegant costuming further emphasizes the opulence of the inhabitants. Trad A. Burns uses a subdued lighting pallet that bathes the room in shadows while emphasizing each character. Matthew Webb’s sound design is exceptional although the startling Hitchcockish violin crescendos and loud telephone ringing do add a startling factor to the proceedings. The show is concisely directed by Sara Bruner.

“Dial M For Murder” began as a play by Frederick Knott that premiered in 1952 on BBC Television. From there it went on stage in London’s West End then on to New York’s Broadway. In 1954 it was made into a film with the screenplay by Frederck Knott and directed by Alfred Hitchcock that starred Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings, Anthony Dawson and John Williams. In 2022 the play was adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher that changed Margot’s love interest from Max Halliday to Maxine Hadley which received positive press reviews.

Tony Wendice (Nick Steen) is a failed writer now working for a publishing company. His job consists of editing jacket covers and arranging press and radio interviews with up and coming authors. Tony is married to Margot (Jodi Dominick) who comes complete with a huge fortune due to a favorite aunt's passing. Tony’s current client is Maxine Hadley (Carie Kawa), a brilliant thriller novelist who has a knack for adding intriguing plot twists to her first soon to be published crime novel.

Margot and Maxine are sharing a drink while waiting for Tony to arrive so that the three can attend the theater. It soon comes to light that Margot and Maxine had a lurid affair that Margot broke off a year ago. Maxine then moved to a Greenwich Village flat in New York City where she spent her days working on her book. When not writing the book she was sending love letters to Margot. All but the last letter was destroyed which was the most torrid of the group. Margot kept this letter in her purse.

As Margot and Tony were going on holiday, Margot’s purse was stolen in Victorian Station. Later, when the purse was found returned to lost and found the letter was found missing. Margot is soon sent a ransom note demanding £5,000. It is only when a second note follows that Margot relents and takes the money to a shop that specializes in drop offs. The money is picked up by a courier but the letter is not returned as promised. The money is part of a devious plot by Tony to have his wife murdered.

When Tony arrives for the three to leave for the theater he feigns having work to do on the new book by Maxine. After the two women leave, the doorbell sounds and Tony greets Captain Lesgate (Jeffrey C. Hawkins).

Captain Lesgate is a fellow student from the two’s Cambridge University days. Lesgate (whose real name is Swann) is a petty con man who changes his name and addresses quite frequently always managing to distance himself a step away from his creditors. Lesgate has advertised a car for sale (belonging to his newest girl friend without her knowledge). Tony has expressed an interest in purchasing the auto and invites Lesgate to the flat to finalize the deal.

As the two conspirators share a drink, Tony confides about stealing the handbag and love letter, knowing about his wife’s affair with another woman and his black mail plot.

Tony tricks Swann into handling the final love letter adding his fingerprints and threatens to have Lesgate arrested as the blackmailer or he can kill Margot and earn the £5,000.

That night Margot is alone in the flat with Tony and Maxine doing a BBC radio interview about her new book. After entering the unlocked front entrance of the building, Swann enters the flat using a key hidden under the carpet of the fifth step outside the flat. Margot discovers Swann in the living room who then tries to cut a deal that he will reveal who hired him for the sum of £10,000. The phone rings (it is Tony calling to see if Swann has killed Margot) and as Margot answers it, Swann panics and tries to strangle Margot. He pins her on the telephone desk but she manages to grab a large pair of scissors that had been left there. Margot manages to stab Swann with the scissors, killing him.

When Margot manages to recover enough to speak on the phone, Tony tells her not to call the police and that he will be right home. Tony arrives home and while Margot is changing clothes, Tony begins to plant evidence that will make it seem that Margot is guilty of murder.

Jodi Dominick as Margot is outstanding as the cheating wife who still carries a flame for her former lover. Carie Kawa as Maxine is brilliant as the writer/detective who sees patterns overlooked by the police. Nick Steen as Tony is perfect as the smarmy husband who only married for the money and will go to any lengths to live a comfortable life. Jeffrey C. Hawkins as Captain Lesgate/Swann plays the role of the reluctant perpetrator very believably. Lastly, David Anthony Smith brings his years of stage experience in portraying Inspector Hubbard.

This production is a masterclass of great ensemble work. Each character has not only mastered the dialogue but all the physical nuances necessary to sell the show. Even if you have seen this show before, this is your chance to see what it looks like when done to perfection.

The Great Lakes Theater production of “Dial m For Murder” will be on stage in the Hanna Theatre located at 2067 East 124^th Street, Cleveland, Ohio at Playhouse Square through November 9, 2025. For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://www.greatlakestheater.org/ or call (216) 241-6000.