Dial M for Murder opened at the Bay Street Theater on June 27 and runs through July 23. The show is a contemporary adaptation of the celebrated murder mystery made famous by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 masterpiece film. Written by Frederick Knott, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, and directed by Walter Bobbie. Erich Bergen stars as Tony Wendice in the. Erich spoke with Hamptons.com to discuss the upcoming show.
Mr. Bergen, a noted T.V. (Madam Secretary) and Broadway actor (Chicago), plays a retired English tennis player who broods over his marriage to wealthy socialite Margot. When his suspicion uncovers her affair with an American crime-fiction writer, Tony hatches a scheme to have her killed so he can inherit her fortune. His web of deception ensnares lovers and old friends in the throes of a cat-and-mouse game of blackmail, recrimination, and murder. The modern classic keeps chills and thrills running as it races toward its edge-of-your-seat climax.
The genesis of how Mr. Bergen was selected for the role of “Tony” when a few things came together. Erich said, “I was doing the show Chicago on Broadway last year, directed by Walter Bobbie. Walter gave me my first job as an adult actor in the L.A. production of White Christmas back in 2005.”
After finishing his role in Chicago, Walter called him to meet him at the theater. Erich thought perhaps he might need to go on to fill in for a possible covid related understudy actor, but instead, after lunch, he was pitched the part of Tony.
As Erich recalls, “Without even hesitating, I said yes, because this is the first time, I think since college, that I have done a play, a non-musical play. Certainly, a play like this, … so it was without hesitation, and of course, to go to the Hamptons on someone else’s dime for a month isn’t such a bad deal either.”
Erich Bergen acting currency is on the rise. He was star power, and he alone is most likely worth seeing Dial M for Murder. When asked what excites him most about playing the role of Tony Erich Bergen said, “This is such a classic film; everyone knows the film version; what’s so great about this (play) revision by Jeffrey Hatcher, is that it is a twist that has many different layers. It’s a twist on the script that isn’t just swapping out a man for a woman; it’s what happens when you do that…I just love the idea that it’s fun, breezy, and a great time at the theater…Hey, listen, if I weren’t in this show, I’d go see it because I am thrilled I get to play with this group of incredible actors.”
Besides Erich Bergen playing Tony Wendice, the cast consists of Mamie Gummer as Margot Wendice; Rosa Gilmore as Maxine Hadley; Reg Rogers as Inspector Hubbard; and Max Gordon Moore as Lesgate. The Female Understudy is Katherine Simmonds, and the Male Understudy is Sean-Michael Wilkinson. Saying this kind of a role is different for him, Mr. Bergen explained that he never “… played the villain, and that is fun; it’s delicious stylized theatrical fun.”
About working with Director Walter Bobbie, Erich said, “My favorite thing about Walter is that he looks at the audience first… [that makes sure there] is nothing self-indulgent going on. Nothing gets in the way of the audience experience; that is his priority…the notes we get are about clarity of how a line is delivered, but also where you hold up that glass so that everyone in the audience can see it…He is a great actors’ director.”
Concerning the difference between acting on screen for movies, for T.V., and the stage, Erich said, “I try to think that there is no difference generally. Great writing and great material is great writing, no matter what medium you are doing it. I try not to be a different kind of actor on screen than I am on stage… It’s about communication, and I always tell young actors…just think about communication. Whether you are in a 1,500-seat theater or have a camera in your face, you have to communicate.”
And communicate he does. The 6’3” Erich Bergen will bring his fantastic charisma to the Bay Street Stage. He stressed that although he is an NYC-raised actor, he has never spent much time in the Hamptons in the summer. He spent his teen summers attending the famous Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Center in Loch Sheldrake, N.Y., or, as Erich said, “The Catskills.” Go see him because, as he said, “It’s a great show to see.”
