photo by Tim Fuller

For Margot (Awesta Zarif) and Tony (Dan Domingues),  married life just isn't what it used to be. Then Tony discovers it could become something much worse.                    

Mind games aplenty fill the deftly performed, quick and clever production of Arizona Theatre Company's adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher in 2022 of Frederick Knott's early 1950s detective hit “Dial M for Murder.”

That long lineage has brought us a thoroughly reworked version to provide a satisfying evening of fresh theater – using a light touch without mentioning any of the new order of controversial culture shifts currently radicalizing our own impolite society.

Michael John Garces, the director of this finely balanced, true ensemble effort, doles out critical clues with the finesse of a master magician, surprising us at every turn with a new shuffling of his devious deck of tricks.

Chief among the cast is tall and casually stately Peter Howard as Inspector Hubbard, who hides his true intentions behind a comically eccentric manner. At first he seems barely interested in the case. Only later do we discover his mind is constantly vacuuming up tiny details which he carefully deduces into facts.

The play is set in London, 1952, with softly focused British accents all around, though we never do leave the sinister yet almost abstract living room of Tony and Margo Wendice, a stylish but threatening stage design by James Noone filled with splashes of light and unexpected sound effects, adding to the drama.

Strictly speaking, “Dial M for Murder” isn't a tale of whodunit. We see who done it early in Act One. The suspense comes from wondering how an unexpected hitch in the murderous plotting of Tony (Dan Domingues) against Margot (Awesta Zarif), his unsuspecting wife, keeps running afoul of details that won't stop squirming free of evidence being collected by the Inspector.

In a nutshell, here's the setup. Tony is a failed and desperate writer jealous that his own wife, also a writer, is very successful and, consequently, very wealthy. If only she would die so Tony could inherit her wealth.

Without remorse, Tony hires Lesgate (Aaron Cammack) to do the deed.

Completing the cast is Lucy Lavely as Maxine Hadley, the close and loyal friend of Margot. Maxine is a determined pal with a feisty spirit. She also has a few tricks up her own sleeve.

But those are just the moving parts of an intricate clockwork plot paced so skillfully, with an impressive froth of unexpected twists and turns, as each of the actors carefully times every clue, every word, to keep the tension .rising.

“Dial M for Murder” runs through Oct. 12 at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave., with performances Tuesdays through Sundays. Tickets are $33-$103. For details and reservations, phone 833-ATC-SEAT (282-7328) or visit atc.org

photo by Tim Fuller

Puppets upstage the actors in the Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre's imagination-stretching tribute to the Mexican tradition known as The Day of the Dead.

Add another layer of appreciation for the traditional Mexican commemoration of the Day of the Dead in the Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre's colorful bi-lingual production “Alebrijes! or Ridiculous Beautiful Beasts.”

This extremely imaginative tale filled with bright colors and Latin rhythms knows no limits to its magic. At first, just to absorb so many unexpected stage effects can feel confusing – but stick with it.

We are about to experience the dreams and far-fetched adventures in both space and time of Pedro Linares (Ollin Acosta) and his brother Manuel Linares (Sebastian Falcon). Expect to also see La Muerte (Anel Schmidt), Florinda “La Pata” (Alicia Damian), Felipe “El Gallo” Ramirez (Tyler Gastelum), Bartolome “The Gato” (Falcon) and Alejandra Brijeda (Ivana Jimenez).

Each of these “animals” wears an appropriate costume, but there are lots more special effects in store by the director, Marc David Pinate.

“Alebrijes!” is a co-production with Tucson Meet Yourself and Borderlands Theatre. The playwright is Georgina Escobar.

Alebrijes are described in the program notes as “magical creatures that have been transformed over decades into Mexican folk art sculptures.”

At the Scoundrel & Scamp Theatre these costumes are designed by Sarah Polzin. The equally fanciful stage set was conceived by Alex! Jimenez.

Most magical are the many puppets in DayGlo colors, each one lively enough to jump into your own dreams. Some of the puppets are operated by puppet masters dressed completely in black on stage.

Death is an important aspect of the atmosphere, too, but not in a threatening way. One role of the alebrijes is to be a guide to spiritual insights for each person evolving on life's journey.

“Alebrijes” continues through Nov. 3, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, at the Historic Y, 738 N. Fifth Ave. Tickets are $35 adults, with several discounts available. For details and reservations visit scoundrelandscamp.org or phone 520-448-3300.