By GRETCHEN AMMERMAN/Oregon Coast TODAY
The journey to the stage can take many paths. For Jason Kutchma, starring in Theatre West’s current production, “Dial M for Murder,” it was taking a break from home improvements.
“I was at the Nauti Mermaid and was reading the Oregon Coast TODAY,” said Kutchma, clearly a person with great taste in reading materials. “The woman seated next to me saw it and reached for it, saying she thought she might be in it. It was Alice Luchau and, yes, she was, as there was a story in that issue for the play ‘Bakersfield Mist.’ That got us started talking about acting and she asked if I was [an actor].”
Kutchma decided to tell a tall tale from his childhood, which involved telling a lie to his mother that she bought, hook line and sinker. When he admitted to Luchau that the tale was a lie, Luchau said, “yup, you’re an actor,” and encouraged him to audition for Theater West’s next play.
This is now Kutchma’s third acting gig, after “Harold and Maude” in Lincoln City and “The Christmas Show” in Newport. To be fair, as a professional musician, being in front of an audience is not a new experience.
“I don’t have much experience acting,” he said, “but the more seasoned players in ‘Dial M’ don’t seem too worried so I guess it’s going well.”
The original play is set in London in 1952 and the production stays true to the time.
“They did a very great job with the set,” Kutchma said. “It is so much easier to get into character with a great set like this which puts you in the mind of the era.”
He plays former tennis player Tony Wendice, who has discovered that several years ago his wife, Margot, played by Chris Vono, had an affair with an American writer. Because he wants revenge as well as her money, Tony meticulously plans Margot’s murder. Margot has no idea that Tony knows about her past affair, nor does she have any suspicion that he is planning to kill her. When the writer comes to London to visit, Tony uses this as the opportunity to fulfill his plan. To carry out the scheme Tony blackmails a man who calls himself Captain Lesgate, played by Ren Jacob, a former schoolmate and convicted criminal. They plan what they believe is the perfect murder. But when Margot refuses to play the part of the victim, things go much differently than planned.
“It was fun to see how excited everyone was for this one as it came together,” said director Cathye Wehr. “I’m delighted to introduce new young actors and welcome back some of our seasoned veterans.”
The play, written by Frederick Knott, premiered in 1952 on BBC Television, before being performed on stage in the same year in London’s West End. In 1954, Alfred Hitchcock directed the film with Knott writing the screenplay based on his original script.
“Being both an Alfred Hitchcock buff and a film noir aficionado, I couldn’t resist asking to direct ‘Dial M for Murder,’” Wehr said.
Chris Vono, Andrew Schmitz, Rose McMaster, Arthur McMaster and Lewis Smith round out the main cast of characters.
The production is part of a 50th anniversary retrospective celebrating some of the Theatre West’s most popular plays from the past half-century.
“I’ve enjoyed working with this talented group,” Wehr said, “and am honored to be a part of Theatre West’s 50th anniversary season.”
- “Dial M for Murder” runs through Feb. 1, with 7 p.m. performances Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and one 2 p.m. matinée Sunday, Jan. 19. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, military or students and $15 for kids aged 12 and younger. Theatre West is located at 3536 S.E. Hwy. 101 in Lincoln City. For more information, go to www.theatrewest.com or call 541-994-5663.
