Dial M for Murdertook the stage for Press and Student Night at the Plaza on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Local critic Ben Sharp penned a review:

The Plaza Theatre’s Dial M for Murder is far from your typical murder-for-hire story. Scheduled for 7 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays between Oct. 16-25, the play has twists, turns, and surprises that are sure to keep the most jaded viewer intrigued. By the end of the show, the audience is left with the overwhelming desire to come back for a second viewing, just to make sure they caught what they think they caught.

Director Joanna Hickey, no stranger to Plaza audiences, does a masterful job of casting the play and bringing all of the little pieces together into one absorbing puzzle. Hickey has directed past hits like Misery, one of my all-time favorite Plaza productions. But Hickey is not one to hog the spotlight. Prior to the media night performance, she told the audience that pulling off a show is far from a one-man or one-woman endeavor.

Pictured, from left, are Maxine Hadley (Jami Hughes) and Margot Wendice (Autumn Becerra) relaxing in Wendice’s apartment. The women’s secret relationship will soon be brought out into the open. “Dial M for Murder” will be performed on the Plaza stage from October 16-25, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photo by Sharon Joines.

In the case of Dial M for Murder, Hickey has the assistance of Ben Wandell, a dynamic thespian who usually dazzles audiences from center stage.

“I was very lucky to have the team I had for this production,” Hickey said.

The play was originally penned by Frederick Knott and made famous by legendary director Alfred Hitchcock in his 1954 movie starring Grace Kelly, Ray Milland and Robert Cummings. A later adaptation by playwright Jeffrey Hatcher made some significant changes to the plot – primarily regarding the extramarital affair that is key to the overall story. While the original centered on a heterosexual affair, the adaptation changed it to an affair between two women. This latter adaptation is the one the Plaza presents.

Due to such themes – and to a scene of violence – the play is for mature audiences only.

Tackling the roles of the two female lovers are Autumn Becerra and Jami Hughes. A theater teacher by trade, Becerra has been away from the stage for more than a half dozen years, but that absence holds no bearing on her performance in Dial M for Murder. Becerra is mesmerizing in her role as Margot Wendice, a confused, suppressed, unhappy wife searching for more out of life than the hand she has been given. She really becomes the part, and no matter what emotion she is trying to convey – be it nervousness, joy or fear – you can’t help but believe it. Her British accent is equally genuine.

Pictured from left are Lesgate (Sammuel Robinson) and Tony Wendice (Jony Hernandez). The men will soon agree upon a dastardly plot. “Dial M for Murder” will be performed on the Plaza stage from October 16-25, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photo by Sharon Joines.

Her counterpart, Hughes, plays the role of Maxine Hadley and, as always, is near flawless in her portrayal. An iconic performer, Hughes is dynamic, boisterous and expressive, projecting perfectly. I have seen her perform countless times. Like a true professional, she is always spot-in, even in plays that do not particularly appeal to me personally.

Rounding out the cast are Jony Hernandez, Sammuel Robinson and Ron Saville. Hernandez, as Becerra’s husband, Tony, is just plain fantastic. He seems very natural on stage, a surprising fact considering Dial M for Murder is his first main character role at the Plaza. The character of Tony is crucial to the plot, orchestrating much of the action and mystery, and Hernandez steps up to the plate and knocks out a grand slam. I could not be more impressed with this young man’s abilities, and I suspect he has a long and successful stage career on the horizon.

I feel similarly about Robinson. Playing the role of the shady and unlucky Lesgate, he seems right at home beneath the stage lights. His rapport with Hernandez is entirely believable, and his unexpected demise was appropriately theatrical and exciting.

Maxine Hadley (Jami Hughes) reacts in shock after Tony Wendice (Jony Hernandez) spills his drink on the back of her dress. Margot Wendice (Autumn Becerra) looks at the mess made on the floor. “Dial M for Murder” will be performed on the Plaza stage from October 16-25, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photo by Sharon Joines.

Rounding out the cast is Saville, a Plaza regular who has graced the stage over the years in a host of roles. Saville is well cast for Scotland Yard Inspector Hubbard, and his portrayal reminded me of Inspector Lestrade from the Sherlock Holmes’s stories. Saville’s English accent is very good, and, like the other performers, he seems quite comfortable in front of the lights.

Speaking of lights, Dial M for Murder really showcases what effective lighting can do for a play. From brightening up the performers’ faces to creating the sort of shadows needed for the mysterious setting, the lighting techniques were especially notable. Kenneth Socha and Burke Wilkins deserve a ton of credit for bringing it all together in such a pleasing manner.

Scotland Yard Inspector Hubbard (Ron Saville) investigates a murder that occurred in the Wendice apartment with Margo Wendice (Autumn Becerra) and Tony Wendice (Jony Hernandez). “Dial M for Murder” will be performed on the Plaza stage from October 16-25, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photo by Sharon Joines.

Set construction is equally impressive. The stage is literally transformed into a living room, with couches, a wet bar, a mantle and fireplace, bookshelves, lamps, maroon-painted walls and glass-paneled double doors. An antique telephone – a very important prop for the story – is placed on stage left on a small wooden table. Al Folmar (props), Ben Wandell (set design) and Burke Wilkins (set construction) need a pat on the back for such attention to detail.

Scotland Yard Inspector Hubbard (Ron Saville) inspects the trench coat of Tony Wendice (Jony Hernandez). “Dial M for Murder” will be performed on the Plaza stage from October 16-25, 2026. For tickets visit www.whartonplazatheatre.org or call 979-282-2226. Photo by Sharon Joines.

Credits include Regina Barnes and Seth Thayne on stage management (Thayne also serves as the play’s understudy), Julia Kovar on sound design and as sound board operator, Al Folmar on props, Joanna Hickey and Autumn Becerra on costumes, Regina Barnes on hair and makeup, Jami Hughes on box office and house management, Quinn Wrench on concessions management, Russell Kacer on communications and Sharon Joines on photography.

Dial M for Murder is presented by Pierce Ranch House and The Laurance and Suzanne Armour Family.

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ABOUT BEN SHARP: Benjamin Sharp is the Director of Marketing, Communications, and Advancement for Wharton County Junior College. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and lives in Wharton with his wife, Kristen, and their three kids, Madalyn, Andrew and Matthew.