A Gem in Our Own Back Yard

Last night I was introduced to The Bijou Theatre in downtown Bridgeport.  This gem of a theatre is an intimate venue that has a little something for everyone. Offering films, music, dance, and theatre to audiences of all ages,  patrons  have a choice of regular or cabaret style seating, with dining from the neighboring Two Boots of Bridgeport restaurant, and drinks from the theatre’s own well-stocked bar. 

While the Bijou has been host to other shows, I was fortunate enough to attend a preview performance of the first production by their own company.  This inaugural show, Dial M for Murder, blew me away.

I admit that I never saw the play or the Hitchcock movie before attending this show.  Reading the plot, which delves into infidelity, deceit, and murder, I expected an evening mired in heavy melodrama.  What I witnessed instead was a well-acted, witty, often humorous, clever play that turns the “whodunit’ genre on its head.  The audience knows from the beginning who the villain is.  We witness his devious machinations as he plots his wife’s murder and are privy to his complex plan for committing the perfect crime.  And we watch transfixed as all of his best laid plans go awry. 

The set design, by Kevin McNair, which plays homage to the old black and white film noirs of days past, is ingenious.  Even the music while we waited for the show to start brought back images of old Hollywood in its heyday.  Adding to the black and white set and mood music, the brilliant costume design by Dorothy Pangrazio made this the perfect setting for the story that was about to unfold.  I particularly have to applaud the costume palette with brief strokes of vibrant color, especially the red shoes. 

Under the skillful and insightful direction of Maggie Pangrazio, the cast is superb. Sarah Giggar as Margot Wendice, the ill-fated wife of the play’s villain, captures the essence of hiding a guilty secret, while naively hoping for her happy ending.  She is the quintessential film noir damsel in distress, waging an internal battle with guilt over her adulterous past, all the while presenting a polished and glamorous face to the world.  Adam Berlingeri plays her deflated former lover, the American television writer Max Halliday. Although not completely guilt-free, his is a sympathetic portrayal, caught between remaining friendly with Margot and her husband, while still yearning for the love he lost. 

Bob Filipowich plays the dual roles of Captain Lesgate and Inspector Hubbard.  It is a testament to his acting ability to play both the thug hired to commit murder and the detective assigned to investigate the crime.  I especially enjoyed his portrayal of Hubbard.  His not-quite-as-bumbling-as-seems inspector holds the key to solving the crime, never revealing his intelligence and sleuthing prowess until the very end when the devil gets his due. 

And that devil is the star of the production.  Jeremy Funke plays Tony Wendice, the suave, sophisticated tennis pro who hides his cold, sociopathic heart beneath the veneer of his polite, proper and very, very British upper class gentleman.  He is the type of villain that you love to hate, unapologetically letting us know that he married for money and coldly playing the scheming, blackmailing puppet master who uses all of his guile to ensure that his plans are realized.  No one is immune to his handiwork, including the audience; he is at once captivatingly manipulative and unnervingly oily.  It was as much a pleasure to watch the wheels turning in Tony's head as he schemes as it was to watch him slowly unravel when his plots turn against him, finally realizing that he is not, in fact, the cleverest man in the room.  I applaud Mr. Funke’s brilliant performance.

 I highly recommend The Bijou Theatre’s production of Dial M for Murder.  The show runs from February 21st through 23rd.  Ticket prices range from $15 - $22 and can be purchased at their website: www.bijoutheatre.com. You can also call the box office at (203) 332-3228.