By Meredith Gardner
meredith.gardner@theindependent.com

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Lane Hickenbottom Independent/Lane Hickenbottom 1 Cast members of Grand Island Senior Highšs production of Shakespearešs Twelfth Night include, from left, Samantha Dixon, Victoria Luther, Ben Robbins, Millie Bartlett, Ben McGahan, Sarah Kuta, Josh Lonergan, Catilynn Schwehn and Levi Benson. Lane Hickenbottom Independent/Lane Hickenbottom (From left) Sharena Anson, Lonnie Kellogg and Greg Sallans rehears for Grand Island Little Theatrešs production of ŗDial M for Murder˛ Sunday. GILT will present the Alfred Hitchcock movie classic Thursday through Sunday and again February 21-24 at College Park. Click Thumbnails to View

But when he learns his wife, Margot is having an affair, his jealous, cold, manipulative nature comes to the forefront. And eventually, it leads to the darkest of crimes murder.

"Dial 'M' for Murder," a suspense drama written by Frederick Knott and popularized by Alfred Hitchcock's feature film version, will begin Feb. 14 for a two-week run at College Park.

With a plot that revolves around an affair, blackmail and murder for hire, "Dial 'M'" has a more serious tone than other Grand Island Little Theatre productions one that's probably not appropriate for children, said Ron Jelinek, who is co-directing the play with Angie Jeffers.

The play is set in London in 1952, and much of the events take place in the confines of one set.

The show features five returning GILT actors along with an off-stage "voice." Actors include Lonnie Kellogg as Tony Wendice, Sharena Anson as Margot Wendice, Greg Sallans as Max Halliday, Tom Schwehn as Capt. Lesgate and Norbert Wenzl as Inspector Hubbard.

Producing a period piece set in London with such a small cast presented new opportunities and challenges, especially for Kellogg, who has by far the most lines of the play, Jelinek said.

"It's the kind of thing where the actors have to really develop their character," Jelinek said. "Instead of asking, 'How do I make this funny?' they have to ask, 'How do I make this believable?'"

The directors also brought in a dialect coach to help the actors develop British accents.

Audience members may see types of characters they haven't watched in a play before, and they may go away from the play not liking some of them, Kellogg said.

Jelinek was inspired to direct "Dial 'M'" after watching Hitchcock's movie, and said the stage play wouldn't stray far from the movie. He's also tried to work in some of the same tones as the Hitchcock version.

For sure, "Dial 'M'" is not meant to be light-hearted entertainment.

Jelinek called it a "thinking person's play" one that's more complicated than most.

The introduction and movement of objects in the set is key to piecing together the plot, he said, meaning the actors must take care to place various items in the correct spot. Audience members are encouraged to pay special attention those placements.

Overall, Jelinek and Jeffers said they have been impressed by the cast members and how they have brought the production to life.

"I think the audience is going to be blown away," Jelinek said. "I really do."