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January 10—25, 2025
Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre
Play | Utah Premiere
Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher; Written by Frederick Knott
A co-production with Arizona Theatre Company
Runtime: 2 hours 10 minutes (including one 15-minute intermission)
Classic suspense at its finest!
Step into a heart-pounding world of betrayal and deception with a new adaptation of the celebrated murder mystery that inspired Hitchcock’s masterpiece! This modern retelling of Frederick Knott’s classic thriller plunges audiences into a web of intrigue as ex-tennis pro Tony Wendice concocts a chilling plot to murder his unfaithful wife. With its gripping plot and sharp dialogue, this adaptation offers a fresh perspective on the timeless tale of murder and manipulation. Experience the intrigue of Dial M for Murder in a captivating new light.
“A noirish universe filled with shady corners and shadier characters” — Chicago Sun Times
“A ravishing event” — BroadwayWorld
$44-57 ($5 more per ticket if purchased at the door)
“Dial M for Murder (Hatcher)” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Important Dates
Monday–Thursday 7:00 PM
Friday & Saturday 7:30 PM
Saturday 2:00 PM
ASL-Interpreted Performance: Monday, January 20th @ 7:00 PM
Sponsors
![Marriner S. Eccles Foundation](https://pioneertheatre.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Marriner-S.png)
![](https://pioneertheatre.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/George-S.png)
Overview
Cast
Creative Team
Frederick Knott (Playwright) 1916–2002, was born in China to an English missionary family. Mr. Knott earned a law degree from University of Cambridge after attending Oundle School, and he served in the British Army from 1939 to 1946, achieving the rank of major. Mr. Knott only wrote three plays during his lifetime, yet his spine-tingling thrillers ran successfully on Broadway in the 1950s and ‘60s and have been standards in regional theatre and touring companies throughout the world. His most famous script, Dial M for Murder, was rejected several times before playing successfully on British television in the early ‘50s. It then hit the London stage to rave reviews. In 1952 the play opened on Broadway, and in 1954 was adapted by Mr. Knott into a film, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Grace Kelly and Ray Milland. His second-most-popular play, Wait Until Dark, ran for 374 performances on Broadway in 1966 and earned actress Lee Remick a Tony Award nomination for her portrayal of a blind woman terrorized by thugs. In 1967 the play was made into a popular film of the same name starring Alan Arkin and Audrey Hepburn. It was revived on Broadway in 1998 in a production starring Marisa Tomei and Quentin Tarantino. Mr. Knott’s third play, Write Me a Murder, opened on Broadway in 1961 and ran for 25 weeks.
Jeffrey Hatcher (Adaptor) Broadway: Never Gonna Dance (Book). Off-Broadway: Three Viewings and A Picasso at Manhattan Theatre Club; Scotland Road and The Turn of the Screw at Primary Stages; Tuesdays with Morrie (with Mitch Albom) at The Minetta Lane; Murder By Poe, The Turn of the Screw and The Spy at The Acting Company; Neddy at American Place; and Fellow Travelers at Manhattan Punchline. Other Plays/Theaters: Compleat Female Stage Beauty, Mrs. Mannerly, Murderers, Mercy of a Storm, Smash, Armadale, Korczak’s Children, To Fool the Eye, The Falls, A Piece of the Rope, All the Way with LBJ, The Government Inspector, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and others at The Guthrie, Old Globe, Yale Rep, The Geffen, Seattle Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse, Cleveland Playhouse, South Coast Rep, Arizona Theater Company, San Jose Rep, The Empty Space, Indiana Rep, Children’s Theater Company, History Theater, Madison Rep, Intiman, Illusion, Denver Center, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Rep, Repertory Theater of St. Louis, Actors Theater of Louisville, Philadelphia Theater Company, Asolo, City Theater, Studio Arena and dozens more in the U.S. and abroad. Film/ TV: Stage Beauty, Casanova, The Duchess, and episodes of Columbo. Grants/Awards: NEA, TCG, Lila Wallace Fund, Rosenthal New Play Prize, Frankel Award, Charles MacArthur Fellowship Award, McKnight Foundation, Jerome Foundation and Barrymore Award Best New Play. He is a member and/or alumnus of The Playwrights Center, the Dramatists Guild, the Writers Guild and New Dramatists.
Media
Publicity
Preview Coverage
BroadwayWorld
A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL to be Presented at Pioneer Theatre Company in December
Gephardt Daily
A Christmas Story, The Musical’ to bring festive cheer to Pioneer
Salt Lake City Weekly
The Essential A&E Picks for Dec 8-14
ABC-4
Family-friendly Christmas events in Utah
Reviews
BroadwayWorld
A CHRISTMAS STORY at Pioneer Theatre Company is Warm-Hearted”
Front Row Reviewers
Oh Fudge! Pioneer Theatre Company Brings A Christmas Story, the Musical to Utah and If You Miss it–Well, You Know What You’ll Say
Gephardt Daily
PTC’s ‘A Christmas Story, The Musical’ adds comedy, depth to nostalgic film story
Good Things Utah
A Christmas Story, The Musical hits the Pioneer Theatre stage
Utah Arts Review
PTC’s high-energy cast serves up enjoyable, family-friendly ‘Christmas Story
The Utah Review
Pioneer Theatre Company’s A Christmas Story: The Musical is spiffy, enjoyable homage to holiday film classic
Utah Theatre Bloggers
PIONEER’S A CHRISTMAS STORY IS A BULLSEYE
Study Guide
Content Advisory
Please Note:
The age-based guidance below is intended as a recommendation only. We do encourage you to use your judgment based on your own research of the show, your own sensibilities, and a child’s age and maturity level.
Also, in accordance with theatrical licensing agreements, Pioneer Theatre Company presents each production as originally written and intended by its author(s). If you are concerned with any content beyond what is provided below, a copy of each production script is available for in-person perusal during PTC’s regular Box Office hours.
Dial M for Murder: For Which Audiences?
Contains mild adult themes, moments of violence, and some alcohol use and smoking. Recommended for ages 13 and up.