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 The Gawnes

Cinderella (Janee Page) shows her tough side to inseparable buddies Jack the donkey (Jake Chapman) and Shriek (David Fanning) at the Gaslight Theatre.

The spirit of “Shriek!,” subtitled “A Parody of True Love & Ogre Acting,” takes us to the story behind the story of Cinderella, Snow White, Prince Charming and other notables from the fairy tale lore of children, now onstage at the Gaslight Theatre.

For those keeping tabs at home, this is an entirely new Gaslight production written and directed by Katherine Byrnes and Mike Yarema. Expanding the Gaslight's usual format, Byrnes and Yarema are including newer songs and expanding the Gaslight's performance spaces to include wider stage wings and an upstairs corner of the balcony.

Cast in the titular role of swamp-loving Shriek, the green-hued ogre with a lonesome heart, is the Gaslight's favorite out-of-town actor, David Fanning.

Jake Chapman sidles up to the action as Jack the nimble-witted donkey who is Shriek's loyal companion. Together they are determined to keep the ogre's swamp free of any civilization, particularly the sort those greedy land developers bring.

To get this fanciful ball rolling, we learn the unscrupulously sinister Lord Kumquat (Jacob Brown) has captured Princess Sharona (Heather Stricker), keeping her his prisoner in a tall tower.

Assisting the evil Lord K is the reflectively shimmering Magic Mirror (Erin Thompson). Adding their own complications are the conniving Draven (Chris Colombo) and the ever-scheming Prince Charming (Todd Thompson), a romantic fellow always on the lookout for any lovely princess caught in the sticky web of a magic spell that can only be broken by a royal kiss.

Fans of the Hollywood movie series will also spot references to Robin Hood, the Gingerbread Man, Puss N Boots, and Grumpy of the Seven Dwarfs.

A grownup's style of fantasy also provides the setting for this show's olio scheme, “Viva Las Vegas!” Imagine rows of guys in crisp tuxedos and nappy bow ties, along with big hair styles for the women and corny jokes all around.

Will we see Elvis? Does Santa come down the chimney?

“Shriek!” runs through Nov. 3, with performances at various times Tuesdays through Sundays in the Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway. Tickets are $27 plus tax, with several discounts available.

Check at the box office, phone 520-886-9428, or go online at www.thegaslighttheatre.com