(Augusta, MI)  The Barn Theatre proudly presents DIAL M FOR MURDER ~ a fabulous murder mystery that makes you think twice about cheating on your spouse. It's an extraordinary character piece filled with lies and deception. Tony Wendice, a sports equipment salesman who wants the ultimate revenge on his wife, Margot. She insisted he give up playing professional tennis so they could have a
real marriage. Apparently, he waited too long, for she found someone else to satisfy her need for love. In order to save his marriage, he quits and settles down into a regular routine.

Unfortunately for Margot, he's just toying with her, giving himself time to figure out how to settle the score. He devises the perfect murder plot. One that will result in her death while ensuring he gets away scot free. He blackmails an old college acquaintance to become the perfect murder weapon – a surprised burglar. The entire evening is choreographed down to the last detail, except for one thing he overlooks. The will of his wife to live. The police inspector from Scotland Yard and the young man who is in love with the wife discover
the truth, and in a scene of almost unbearable suspense they plan to trap the husband into revealing his guilt. This play proves even a perfect plan cannot account for the infinite surprises of life.

Barn veteran Joe Aiello stars as the fiendishly charming Tony Wendice plots the evenings trouble. Long-time Barn favorite, Dick Fuchs will be portraying master sleuth, police inspector Hubbard. Chicago actress Mary Mulligan makes her Barn debut portraying Margot Wendice, the unsuspecting wife. Eric Parker will portray Max Halliday, the one-time object of Margot’s affection. Barn character man Howard McBride is the blackmailed murderer, Captain Lesgate.

DIAL M FOR MURDER opened in London at the Westminster Theatre on July 19, 1952; and then on Broadway October 29, 1952 and ran for 552 performances.

Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 rendition of DIAL M FOR MURDER starred Grace Kelly, Ray Milland, and Robert Cummings. The film was shot in 3-D and contains some extremely suspenseful moments. There are so many wonderful elements that work together to make a great thriller that it deserves to be included in the pantheon of Hitchcock greats. In 1998 Warner Brothers released A PERFECT MURDER, the updated film version of this classic starring Michael Douglas and Gwenyth Paltrow.

The Barn Theatre is located on M-96 West of Augusta.  Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 PM, Saturday at 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM, and Sunday at 5:00 PM.  Tickets are $25.00 Tuesday through Thursday and $27.50 Friday through Sunday.   Visa and MasterCard are accepted.  For tickets call (269) 731-4121. The box office is open daily from 10:00AM-10:00 PM.

Enjoy refreshments in The Rehearsal Shed Lounge with friends before, during intermission and after the show. NEW THIS SEASON!  Wings and Nachos in the Shed! Enjoy a light snack while being entertained by the free cabaret-style show in the Rehearsal Shed Lounge after the main stage performance.



Cast List
Margo Wendice...................................................................... Mary Mulligan
Max Halliday........................................................................... Eric Parker
Tony Wendice......................................................................... Joe Aiello
Captain Lesgate....................................................................... Howard McBride
Inspector Hubbard.................................................................. Dick Fuchs
Thompson............................................................................... Kevin Field
Policeman................................................................................ Ryan Stutz
Reporter.................................................................................. Andy Planck
Pendleton................................................................................ Alston Brown

Off Stage Voices
O’Brien................................................................................... Nick Horton
Williams.................................................................................. Tim Matson
Roger..................................................................................... Jake Stackhouse
Radio Announcer.................................................................... Allen Hale

Cast Bios


JOE AIELLO (Tony Wendice)
Joe is proud to celebrate his 25th anniversary with the Barn this summer. Year after year he has proven his talent and versatility in such roles as Daddy Warbucks in ANNIE, Lee in TRUE WEST, Albin/ZaZa in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, Nathan Detroit in GUYS AND DOLLS, Gallimard in M. BUTTERFLY, Merrick in THE ELEPHANT MAN, Mozart in AMADEUS, Arthur in CAMELOT, Cogsworth in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and half the town in both GREATER TUNA and A TUNA CHRISTMAS.  A gifted director as well, Joe has earned accolades for his Barn treatments of CABARET, SHE LOVES ME, CHESS, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, CRIMES OF THE HEART, THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, SWEENEY TODD, and BAT BOY (the latter two co-directed with Scott Burkell).  Joe lives in New York City and is currently Director of Sales for Match-Tix Group Sales and Promotions and co-owner of Allied/Hit-Tix, Inc.

DICK FUCHS (Inspector Hubbard)
Dick returns to Augusta after a three year absence to add his talents to the cast of the opening show.  The Barn is Dick’s theatrical home, having first appeared as a horserider in 1965’s CAMELOT.  Since then and for 20 subsequent seasons here and there Dick has delighted Barn audiences in a wide variety of roles.  Farces seem to be Dick’s favorites and he has quite a list:  MOVE OVER MRS. MARKHAM, NO SEX PLEASE, WE’RE BRITISH, and IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY are but a few.  Audiences may also remember Dick starring with Adrienne Barbeau in LOVE LETTERS during our 50th Anniversary season in 1995.  Other credits include the Disney film NORTH AVENUE IRREGULARS with Cloris Leachman.  He still receives residuals so Dick urges everyone to rent or buy that film whenever possible! He toured nationally with HAIR and Jane Powell’s vehicle IRENE and also played Off-Broadway in the long-running ANNA K.  Dick has a serious side as well- at the moment he’s awaiting word from the Peace Corps on his application for a second  tour of duty.  Dick’s daughter Abbey currently resides in Mexico and of her he is very proud.

MARY MULLIGAN (Margot Wendice)
Mary is thrilled to be working at the Barn for the very first time.  Chicago credits include Margrethe in COPENHAGEN and the title role in STEVIE (1900 Productions); Mrs. Stanley in THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER at Drury Lane Oakbrook; Karen in ALMIGHTY BOB at Theatre at the Center; KLUB KOKOMO for P.S. Productions at Northlight Theatre; Grace in BUS STOP and the mezzo-soprano in BERLIN TO BROADWAY at Illinois Theatre Center; SHEAR MADNESS for the Mayfair Theatre; STILL WATERS at Victory Gardens; and Diane in the long-running musical CHARLIE’S OASIS MUSEUM AND BAR for New Tuners at the Theatre Building.  Regional credits include Peninsula Players (Door County, WI), and Northern Stage in Milwaukee.  Film credits include ROAD TO PERDITION.  Mary’s been featured in made-for-television films TWO FATHERS: JUSTICE II as Agent Ellen Larkin, and THE KID LOVED CHRISTMAS.  Other television credits include MISSING PERSONS and numerous commercials.


ERIC PARKER (Max Halliday)
Eric is overjoyed to be back for a thirteenth Barnie summer.  His growing list of Barn credits includes several favorites: Jimmy Powers in CITY OF ANGELS, Rocky and Eddie in six go-‘rounds of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Cousin Kevin in TOMMY, Cable in SOUTH PACIFIC, Freddie in CHESS, the title role in PIPPIN, Pharaoh in JOSEPH…, Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Jinx in FOREVER PLAID, Remnar in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, and Che in EVITA, a role that introduced Eric to Chicago audiences in an award-winning production at Drury Lane Oakbrook. Eric’s career has continued there with roles in their recent ANYTHING GOES, JOSEPH… , ANNIE, CAMELOT, TYA productions of ALADDIN and CHARLOTTE’S WEB, and Jacey Squires in THE MUSIC MAN, which closed in May.  Eric also earned raves this winter for a co-starring turn in the post-NYC regional premiere of the Off-Broadway musical THE THING ABOUT MEN at Theatre at the Center.  Other faves include Henrik in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, the title role in  JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and Claude in HAIR (European Tour).  TV: GUIDING LIGHT.  Local radio listeners may have heard Eric on a commercial for Brann’s Steakhouse over the winter. Eric’s an Adrian native who lives in Chicago.


HOWARD McBRIDE (Captain Lesgate)
In his 24 Augusta summers, Howard has given audiences a series of wonderful performances in the range known in the ‘old days’ as “first business”.  Last summer Howard had the time of his life playing two roles he’s waited 30 years to play:  Arvide in GUYS AND DOLLS, and the Old Actor in THE FANTASTICKS. He also squeezed in a charming turn as Belle’s father Maurice in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.  Other favorites include Jacob in JOSEPH…, the Governor of Texas in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, Max in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Dr. Scott in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Max in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Herr Schultz in CABARET, and one of his earliest, Sancho in MAN OF LA MANCHA.  He has toured nationally in ANYTHING GOES and CABARET, and stage managed tours of A CHORUS LINE, MAN OF LA MANCHA, and JANE POWELL: INSIDE OUT.  With us, Howard lends his unique charms to his offstage role of General Manager.  He also appears annually in the Gull Lake Café Christmas Show.  Unfortunately, his part in that little pageant remains top secret.