Footlight players to put on murder mystery
Play: The Footlight Players will present “Dial M for Murder” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 8-9, 15-16, and 22-23 at the Triple Locks Theater. Pictured from left are actors Larry Badgley, Samantha Servais and Nick Fischer. Beacon photo by Josie Sellers
COSHOCTON – “Dial M for Murder” is a play filled with murder-for-hire, blackmail and betrayal and Director Susan Metz can’t wait to see her cast and crew present it to the public.
“I’ve directed a lot of shows, but this one has such an outstanding cast and crew,” she said. “They are a dream. They really are perfect for their parts. I call them my dream cast.”
“Dial M for Murder” will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 8-9, 15-16, and 22-23, at the Triple Locks Theater.
Nick Fischer plays Max Halliday the boyfriend of Margot Wendice who is played by Samantha Servais.
“Last year was the first time I was in a play here and I had a great time,” Fischer said. “I was fortunate enough to land a part again in this play. This is different than most murder mysteries. You are going to know who did it, but you are going to have to figure out some other stuff along the way.”
Servais said her character is a wealthy socialite.
“I’m excited to be part of this because it’s not a musical, which is what I usually do,” she said. “I love that it has drama and I can experience different emotions.”
Larry Badgley’s character is out to get Servais’. He plays Tony Wendice, who is married to Servais’ character Margot.
“He’s the villain of the play,” Badgley said. “He’s conniving and deceitful.”
Badgley has been involved with the Footlight players for well over 30 years.
“The people are what keep me involved,” he said. “We have a lot of camaraderie and the audience is filled with friends, neighbors and co-workers.”
The “Dial M for Murder” cast also includes Michael Rainwater who plays Thompson and Bernie Kenney who is Captain Lesgate.
“This is my first big play,” Kenney said. “I was in ‘The Sound of Music,’ but I only had five lines.”
He’s happy to be back for this play.
“I like the set and time period,” he said.
“Dial M for Murder” is set in the 1950s in London, England.
“It was a different culture and different world,” Kenney said. “This is also a fun thriller and we have incredibly talented people being part of it. The people that perform here (at the Triple Locks Theater) are as good as any you will see in New York or Chicago. The talent in this town in phenomenal.”
Marsha Cusin is the producer and Jackie Mishler is the assistant director. Metz also is very thankful for those who helped create the set for “Dial M for Murder.”
“We have a really great set,” Metz said. “It took a lot of hours to build, paint and detail.”
Tickets for the play are $12 for adults and $7 for students. They can be purchased by calling the box office at 740-622-2929 from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 2 to 4 p.m. performance days or by visiting www.footlightplayers.com. There will be a gala opening night reception at 7 p.m. Friday, May 8 for audience members who have reservations that night. There will be complimentary champagne and chocolate treats. Since the show is set in the 1950s, feel free to dress for an evening at the theater in that era.
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: Arts & Entertainment
