Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents
Dial M for Murder
Billing Credits
Artistic Director: Marya Sea Kaminski
Managing Director: Shaunda McDill
Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher
From the original by Frederick Knott
Directed by Céline Rosenthal
“Dial M for Murder (Hatcher)” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
www.concordtheatricals.com
Starring
Ken Bolden*, Josh Innerst*, Michael Patrick Trimm*, Brooke Turner*, Shannon Arielle Williams, Carolyn Jerz
Scenic Designer: Antonio Troy Ferron
Costume Designer: Tracy Dorman
Sound Designer & Original Music: Stewart Blackwood
Lighting Designer: Annmarie Duggan
Original Wig Designer: Michelle Hart
Additional Hair & Wig Designer: Kathy Lynne Mathews
Fight Director: Mark Rose
Intimacy Director: José Pérez IV
Dialect Coach: Nancy McNulty McGeever
Stage Manager: Emily Paige Ballou*
Assistant Stage Manager: Kelly Haywood*
Assistant Director: Carlos E. Martínez
Originally commissioned and produced at The Old Globe
Barry Edelstein, Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Timothy J. Shields, Managing Director
Scenery and Props constructed by Asolo Repertory Theatre Scenic Studios
Costumes and Wigs constructed by Asolo Repertory Theatre Costume Shop
Additional Costumes and Wigs constructed by Pittsburgh Public Theater
*Denotes Actors' Equity Association membership
The O'Reilly Theater is a project of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Letter from the Artistic Director
Hello Friends,
Today we stand on the precipice of our 50th anniversary season, filled with suspense. Jeffery Hatcher's thrilling adaptation of Dial M for Murder is only the first of many delights we have in store for you as we celebrate our legacy and forge a bright future in this historic season.
Under the sharp direction of Céline Rosenthal, our production builds upon the wicked and intricate schemes of Frederick Knott’s original thriller. Still a gripping tale of deceit and betrayal, this adaptation explores the story’s timeless themes of justice and jealousy with a fresh lens for a new generation of mystery lovers.
Dial M for Murder has inspired dozens of adaptations, most famously by master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock who revolutionized the story by releasing it in 3D (yes, in 1954). This story, in all its forms, demands a level of intimacy and invokes a sense of tension that continues to ensnare us in its web of intrigue, duplicity, and passion.
As Hitchcock famously said, "There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it." We are delighted to savor that sweet anticipation with you as we dim the lights and set the stage for this deliciously sinister masterpiece.
Onward,
The Cast
Ken Bolden* INSPECTOR HUBBARD
Josh Innerst* TONY WENDICE
Michael Patrick Trimm* LESGATE
Brooke Turner* MARGOT WENDICE
Shannon Arielle Williams MAXINE
Carolyn Jerz PRODUCTION UNDERSTUDY MARGOT WENDICE
*Denotes members of the Actors' Equity Association
The Creative Team
Céline Rosenthal DIRECTOR
Céline Rosenthal is a Tony®-nominated producer, "Key" member of The Ring Of Keys, and New Georges Affiliate Artist. They have spent seven seasons as associate artistic director at Asolo Repertory Theatre, where they directed Dial M For Murder, Grand Horizons, Camelot, The Lifespan of a Fact, Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Tempest, and served as AD to Frank Galati on Knoxville. Celine has developed new work with NYMF, MTF, The Kidoons, Tamasha, and N.Q.T., as well as creating The Ground Floor, Asolo Rep’s premiere new work series. Other Recent Projects: In The Next Room, Angel Street, A Doll’s House, Spike Heels (Studio Theatre); Trayf (New Rep); Drowning in Cairo (N.Q.T); the award-winning short film “Wildflower”.
Antonio Troy Ferron SCENIC DESIGNER
Antonio is an art director and set designer for Film, Television and Theater based in Los Angeles. He is an alumni of Carnegie Mellon’s School of Drama. Previously, he designed Dial M working with director Céline Rosenthal at Asolo Rep. Theatre. Screen credits include the upcoming film Freakier Friday (Disney), Bel-Air (Peacock), and Archive 81 (Netflix). Theater credits include Chicken & Biscuits (Asolo Rep), as well as assisting designers on various Broadway, regional, and national tour productions.
Tracy Dorman COSTUME DESIGNER
Tracy Dorman has designed productions at regional theater and opera companies around the country, including at Asolo Repertory Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cleveland Play House, Geva Theatre, Milwaukee Rep, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Rep, Gulfshore Playhouse, Maltz-Jupiter, Virginia Opera, Kentucky Opera, Chicago Opera Theatre, and Glimmerglass. Please visit www.tracydorman.com for a more extensive listing of production credits.
Annmarie Dugan LIGHTING DESIGNER
Ms. Duggan is excited to return to The Public. Regional Credits: American Girl Theatre, Chicago, LA, and New York, Skylight Music Theatre, Maine State Music Theatre, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Athens Theatre. Ms. Duggan is a Professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Ms. Duggan works in application development for theatre professionals. amddesignonline.com
Stewart Blackwood SOUND DESIGNER & ORIGINAL MUSIC
Stewart Blackwood is thrilled to be joining The Public for this production! His creative and technical work has been viewed nationally at venues such as the Cleveland Play House, Center Theatre Group, and La Jolla Playhouse. He is a professor of Composition and Sound Design at Carnegie Mellon University and holds an MFA from the University of California San Diego.
Michelle Hart ORIGINAL WIG DESIGNER & WIG DESIGNER
Michelle designs for Asolo Rep and FSU/Asolo Conservatory. Other credits: Sarasota Ballet, Palm Beach Drama Works, Free Fall Theatre, Urbanite Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, West Coast Black Theatre Troupe, Banyan Theatre, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Venice Theatre, Dorset Theatre, Barrington Stage and Open Stage Theatre. She has also done hair and/or make-up for Joan Rivers, Doris Roberts, Martin Short, Jane Russell, Arlene Dahl, Soledad Villamil, Jane Pauley, Richard Dreyfuss, Castille Langdon, Christopher Higgins, Mary Mara, Heather Robb, Lauren Sweetser, Justin Long, Paul Downs, Douglas Sills, and Nia Hills. Music videos “Second Chance” by Shinedown, “Reverse Cowgirl” by T-Pain.
Kathy Lynne Mathews ADDITIONAL HAIR & WIG DESIGNER
Kathy Lynne Mathews is a native Pittsburgher where she has been a hairstylist for nearly 30 years. Kathy is a member of IATSE Local 3 and has had many opportunities to work on plays and musicals. The Importance of Being Earnest (Pittsburgh Public Theater) is particularly special to her because it was her first time as Hair Designer for a production.
Mark Rose* FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER
Mark is a New York-based fight choreographer, stuntman, actor, and certified teacher with the Society of American Fight Directors. This is his first show with The Public. Select credits: Dial M for Murder, Crazy for You, Cabaret, Camelot, Into the Breeches!, Lifespan of a Fact, Rhinoceros (Asolo Rep.); Sweeney Todd, The Good John Proctor, Fences, Becky Nurse of Salem, A Tale of Two Cities, Sueño (Trinity Rep). mark-rose.com
José Pérez IV INTIMACY DIRECTOR
José Pérez IV is the Resident Fight & Intimacy Director of Pittsburgh Public Theater. Select credits at The Public: The Coffin Maker, A Christmas Story: The Play, Billy Strayhorn: Something to Live For, A Midsummer Night’s Dream In Harlem, Robin Hood. Regional/national credits: POTUS (upcoming, City Theatre Company), A Moon for the Misbegotten (Quantum Theatre), Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy (Actors Theatre of Louisville), Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (Cleveland Play House), Breakfalls (Vermont Stages). MFA Performance Pedagogy, University of Pittsburgh; BFA Drama, New York University.
Nancy McNulty McGeever* DIALECT COACH
Nancy McNulty McGeever is an award-winning actor, director, teacher, and dialect coach. Nancy’s dialect work has been heard on the Pittsburgh stages of Front Porch Theatricals, Pittsburgh Public Theater, City Theatre Company, barebones productions, Kinetic Theatre, Pitt Stages, and COPA at Point Park University. Director of theater arts at Shady Side Academy Junior School. MFA, The New School. Lifetime member of The Actors Studio.
Emily Paige Ballou* STAGE MANAGER
Emily is a proud AEA stage manager based in New York! Recently, as stage manager: The Hello Girls (Prospect Theater Company); Hannah Senesh (NYTF); The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley (Arizona Theatre Company); As ASM: A Walk With Mr. Heifetz (Primary Stages); Public Servant (Theater Breaking Through Barriers); La Cage aux Folles (Barrington Stage Company). Many thanks to Céline, Kelly, and Pittsburgh Public Theater!
Kelly Haywood* ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER
Past Pittsburgh Public Theater productions: Steel Magnolias, A Tell-Tale Heart, Noises Off, An Iliad, Dragon Lady, Little Shop of Horrors, Barefoot in the Park, A Raisin in the Sun, and The Importance of Being Earnest. Kelly has also done several productions with Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Opera and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
Carlos E. Martínez ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Carlos Martínez is a Dominican-born director, designer, and translator. He is the founding artistic director of Punto Zeta Productions and has directed the Spanish-language productions of Metamorphoses, Art, Noises Off, and Spelling Bee. Recently, he directed Lonely Planet at Carnegie Mellon University and was assistant director for Somewhere Over the Border at City Theatre Company. Carlos is a John Wells Directing Fellow at CMU.
*Denotes members of the Actors' Equity Association
Staff List
Our Leaders
Marya Sea Kaminski, Artistic Diretor
Shaunda McDill, Managing Director
Lindsay Barr, Executive Assistant & Board Liaison
Artistic
Sarah Ashley Cain, Associate Artistic Director
Brian Pope, Casting & Literary Director
Justin Emeka, Resident Director
Demeatria Boccella, Artist-in-Residence
Jamie Agnello, Artist-in-Residence
Matt Acheson, Artist-in-Residence
José Pérez IV, Resident Fight & Intimacy Director
Mora V. Harris, Resident Playwright
Anya Martin, Resident Playwright
Brian Pope, Resident Playwright
Kelly Trumbull, Resident Playwright
TJ Young, Resident Playwright
Human Resources
Lisha Logan, Director of Human Resources
Morgan Overton, Worforce Director
General Management
Stewart Urist, General Manager
Trent Wolfred, Associate Director of Operations
Savannah Merrill, Company Manager
Fred Noel, Systems Coordinator
Adrianne Redwood, Events Consultant
Finance
Adam List, Controller
Jim Overton, Finance Manager
Anna Skeels, Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable Associate
Development
Toby Guinn, Chief Development Officer
Devan Mercurio, Associate Director of Development
Milton Melendez, Development Associate
Education & Engagement
Jenny Malarkey, Education Manager
Dominique Briggs, Senior Manager of Public Works and Partnerships
House Management
Kacie Belletti, Senior Manager of Guest Services & Belonging
Alana Moye, Guest Services Representative
Ryan Rattley, Guest Services Representative
Marketing & Communications
Aja Jones, Director of Marketing & Communications
Lucy Chen, Graphic Designer
Ben Geibel, Digital Content Manager
Christie Jay Snyder, Marketing & Communication Manager
Ali Mohammed Srour, Patron Services Data Associate
Brian Starks, Community Liaison
Production
Monica Bowin, Director of Production & Operations
Trent Wolfred, Associate Director of Operations
Savannah Merrill, Company Manager
Rob McLeod, Technical Director
Lisa Harshbarger, Scene Shop Manager
Drew Palajsa, Head Shop Carpenter
Sean DeKonty, Shop Carpenter
Joe Paski, Shop Carpenter
Shannon Seibel, Shop Carpenter
Celeste Parrendo, Charge Scenic Artist
Gay Kahkonen, Properties Head
Kelly Yann, Properties Coordinator
Venise St. Pierre, Costume Shop Head
Kyle Huber, Costume Shop Associate
Sara Holroyd, Hair & Wig Stylist
Jo(e) Herr, First Hand
Joshua Beumer, Head Electrician
Zach Moore, Head Sound Engineer
Mikey Abate, Head Stage Carpenter
Philip Cassidy, Production Key/A-2
Christina Dragen-Dima, Production Key
Jaime Ericson, Costume Design Assistant
Dial M for Murder
Jaime Ericson, Costume Design Assistant
Katelyn Gordy, Assistant Lighting Designer
Joe Borsch, Studio Assistant
This performance of DIAL M FOR MURDER runs approximately 2 hours with one 15-minute intermission.
This show is rated PG-13 and contains mature themes, moments of violence, the use of electronic cigarettes, drinking of alcohol depicted on stage, use of smoke, strobe lights and haze.
Land Acknowledgement
The ground on which we stand, at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers, is home to the Seneca People. They called this area Jaödeogë’ (Jaonh day ō gent’), Between Two Rivers, the crossroads of the Seneca, Lenni Lenape, Shawnee, and numerous nations who lived before, with and after them.
These Peoples, along with other nations in the Haudenosaunee (Hoe-dee-no-SHOW-nee) Confederacy, stewarded the land of this greater region; and like other First Nations across North America, their spiritual roots are buried deep within Mother Earth. We acknowledge this land and their continued spiritual connection to it as sacred.
We must also recognize the painful destruction of this connection and the injustices perpetrated on Native Communities through broken treaties and colonial occupation, resulting in enslavement, cultural genocide, forced assimilation, and dissolution of their right to independent self-governance.
Through awareness and action, we can write a new history that honors First Peoples’ spiritual connection to the land and combats Indigenous erasure, systemic racism and continued marginalization. We invite you to join us in action. Insightful information can be found at https://americanindian.si.edu and our website: https://ppt.org
This statement was crafted in collaboration with Dr. Joe Stahlman (Ska:ru:re), Ja:no’s Bowen (Onöndowa’ga:’), and Jamie Jacobs (Onöndowa’ga:’).
Union Information
The Actors and Stage Manager employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
The scenic, costume, lighting and sound designers in LORT Theatres are represented by United Scenic Artists, Local USA-829 of the IATSE.
This Theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
The Director is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, and The National Theatrical Labor Union.