Tension was high last weekend when the Fairbanks Drama Association presented Frederick Knott’s classic play “Dial ‘M’ for Murder.” Old movie fans will recall viewing Alfred Hitchcock’s 1952 film gem starring Ray Milland, Grace Kelly and Robert Cummings.
The tension wasn’t just onstage from the attempted murder of Margot Wendice, unfaithful wife to the diabolical Tony Wendice, that resulted in the self-defense death of thwarted slayer Captain C. A. Swann.
No, the tension was for real – and felt by the entire cast!
Here’s why!
The original director bowed out for personal reasons. Instead of an audition, the theater director and stage manager chose five veteran community theater actors they thought might pull off a minor miracle.
Thus, the cast members learned they had a mere 3.5 weeks to memorize a substantial number of lines. Gulp!
Bill Wright, the director for this Fairbanks Drama Association production, is a theater pro who has directed and produced shows for television as well as theater. He told the cast he hoped to salvage the show lest season ticket holders be disappointed.
When Bill’s job took him away from Fairbanks, stage manager Cindy Wright replaced him.
Assisting Cindy was a one-woman stage crew: accountant Gosia Wroblewska-Nuwer.
Props manager Nancy Fresco, a writer and climate-change research professor at UAF, somehow put together all the props. Seamstress Bobbie Tarkanian worked hard as set designer – as three of the characters had complicated costume changes. Remi Wright took over the sound design.
Evans and Bill Wright worked many an afternoon to erect the set, the London living room of Tony and Margot Wendice. Scenic artist Greg Gustafson painted the set’s interior.
In no time at all, on Oct. 24, it was opening night. For two-plus hours onstage, we cast members were transformed. All five male actors shaved their beards that day to fit the 50s time period.
Middle school teacher John Lee became the playboy lover. Retired professor David Valentine became the villain. Theater artist/musician Carey Stewart acted as the villain’s wife. Martial arts instructor Jivan Gordon-Wolfe acted as policeman. Theater set designer Don Evans acted as the would-be killer, and your Cordova Times columnist – me –became the deceptively clueless chief inspector who solves the murder mystery.
That’s the attraction of community theater. Audiences get to see and support neighbors they see now and then at the bank or food store. (It’s always fun for me to be recognized by smiling patrons while shopping, by the way).
I won’t fib and say the first weekend went without a glitch. In a couple spots, one or more cast members flubbed their lines. But that’s the beauty of a community theater team. Always another cast member stepped in and kept the play on course.
“Dial ‘M’ for Murder” plays in Fairbanks all this weekend and next.
We now, after putting in overtime hours, know all our lines and plan to give FDA audiences our all and more.
If any Cordova Times reader happens to be in the Golden City, stop by and catch a performance. After all, there is no theater unless there is an audience.
Hank Nuwer teaches journalism as an adjunct professor at UAF.
