Oil Lamp Theater: Dial M for Murder
Charlotte Foster and Paige Klopfenstein
Oil Lamp Theater Presents DIAL M FOR MURDER Review - He Can’t Get Away With It!
TLDR: Adapted from the Alfred Hitchcock movie, Oil Lamp Theater’s production of Dial M for Murder is perfectly cast as each of the actors fits their characters to a tee. The show feels like a TV mystery as they keep us in suspense and we watch the murder plot unfold before us.
John Chambers and Robert Austin Love
There’s Been a Murder!
Adapted from the Alfred Hitchcock film, we start with the premise, wife has affair and husband wants to murder wife. What follows next is the murder mystery, police procedural of Dial M for Murder. Set against the backdrop of a 50s living room, we come upon two women dressed for the theatre. They perch on the couch and sip whiskey, stubbing their cigarettes in the ashtray as they catch up before heading out for the night. Already this first scene gives us a twist, almost imperceptible save for a lingering touch and the pregnant pause that follows. We know there's something secret between these two women, but it’s unclear as to what.
Each scene after is a set up for the murder plot that's yet to come. One of these women's dastardly husband is plotting to murder her and we see the plot unfolding. One glass polished and put away, leaving the other out with fingerprints. A key hidden out in the stairwell. A night out providing an alibi. We see the set-up with the assailant, the attempt, and the aftermath of the murder gone awry.
Dial M for Murder is a straightforward type of play where our focus is on the one plot and central conflict that carries us through. Each step in the set-up and aftermath have us anxiously waiting and wondering, will the inspector figure out the truth behind the set-up? Or is the murderer too clever and end up getting away with it?
Paige Klopfenstein, John Chambers and James Sparling
And There’s Lesbians!
The most appealing part of the play, in this writer's opinion, is the fact that they changed Margot’s lover from a man into a woman. Changing the gender is brilliant because it adds another level of complexity and secrecy to the affair in the 50s as well as makes something only a woman would know more believable. And so Max becomes Maxine. We find ourselves even more frustrated when all of the men folk don't believe the women (at first).
And it makes all the characters pop more. John Chambers playing Tony is the perfect villain, both from his outward appearance to how he plays his part even after we the audience know his game. He is believable as a loving husband as he expresses his outrage that his wife has been unjustly accused of this murder. But his smile goes wide into a Cheshire cat grin with the corners pointing up turning menacing when everything seems to be going according to plan.
Paige Klopfenstein as Margot is perfectly complex. We understand the society she's in and why she chose to stay with Tony. But when she's faced with the inevitable and doesn't have a way to clear her name we see her eyes frantically searching for a way out and keeps our heart rates high as she attempts to run.
Charlotte Foster plays Maxine as fiercely loyal and unwavering in her truthfulness. Even after years between her and Margo have passed, she will still do anything to save her love. She stares down both Tony and Inspector Hubbard, and we see because of her persistence Margot has another chance.
Inspector Hubbard played by James Sparling has us believe he's personable as he pleasantly interrogates Tony and Margot. But when he has all the information he needs, he pounces, firm with his accusations. We can’t believe he’s missing something right in front of his face, but we come back around when he's finally convinced there may be another avenue of questioning and we see he's not afraid to admit when he's wrong.
The casting feels perfect as each of these actors embodies their character and makes us feel the tension between all of them and the situation they find themselves in.
Charlotte Foster, Paige Klopfenstein and John Chambers
The After Party Thoughts
I love when shows gender bend their casting, especially if it adds unexpected complexity that works for that time period. Like changing Margot’s lover from a man to a woman is one thing on its own, but it takes on another meaning when it's in a time period that doesn't acknowledge the existence of people who are gay or that women are capable human beings in their own right,
Add on top of that, the plot is compelling and delivered by actors that keep us on our toes, it feels like we're watching an episode of a TV mystery. So for those that are looking for a compelling murder mystery with twists that keep coming, Dial M for Murder would be a great fit for you.
RECOMMENDED
Paige Klopfenstein and John Chambers
When
Now through November 1, 2026
Where
Oil Lamp Theater
1723 Glenview Road
Glenview, IL 60025
Runtime: 2hrs 15min, including intermission
Tickets
$55+
Tickets can be purchased through the Oil Lamp Theater website
Photos
Gosia Matuszewska/Gosia Photography
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
Paige Klopfenstein and Charlotte Foster
CAST
John Chambers (Tony Wendice)
Charlotte Foster (Maxine Hadley)
Paige Klopfenstein (Margot Wendice)
Robert Austin Love (Lesgate)
James Sparling (Inspector Hubbard)
Cooper Bohn (Understudy Tony Wendice)
Ava Pirie (Understudy Maxine Hadley)
Daria Koon (Understudy Margot Wendice)
Thomas Ferro (Understudy Lesgate)
Matt Hellyer (Understudy Inspector Hubbard)
CREATIVE
Jeffrey Hatcher (Adapter)
Frederick Knott (Original Playwright)
Daniel King (Director)
Spencer Donovan (Scenic Designer)
Taylor Pfenning (Costume Designer)
Jamie Macpherson (Intimacy Choreographer & Fight Director)
Conner Nicoson (Technical Director)
Connor Windle (Production Manager)
Brenden Delcorio (Stage Manager)
Rick Reid (Sound Designer)
Rachel D. Hemm (Lighting Designer)
Ellen Markus (Props Designer)
Gigi Bjork-Nelson (Assistant Stage Manager)
Rose Leisner (Company Manager)