Forty years since Peter Falk’s Columbo first asked for “just one more thing,” Clarkston Village Players brings the TV detective back to the stage.
The pilot episode for the series, aired in 1968, was based on the play ‘Columbo Prescription Murder,? written by William Link and Richard Levinson.
‘I have always liked Columbo,? said Jan Cable, director. ‘Columbo was written so well, but I have my own way of doing Columbo. We had to change a few things to modernize it, since the original play was written 40 years ago.?
The play features Dr. Roy Flemming, a brilliant psychiatrist played by Jim Murray, and his mistress Susan Hudson, played by Jennifer Gentry-Saulski, as they plot the murder of Flemming’s neurotic, possessive wife Claire, played by Peggy Rieman.
They have what appears to be an untouchable alibi, but when police Lieutenant Columbo, played by Mike Cavin, starts asking a lot of ‘irrelevant questions? and going off on seemingly nonsensical tangents, the doctor realizes Columbo is not as stupid as he appears.
Other cast members include Paula Todd as Flemming’s receptionist Miss Petrie, David J. Kramer plays Flemming’s lawyer friend Dave Gordon, and Jacqueline Salter, plays the cleaning service’s delivery person.
Cable said all the characters of the play are unique.
‘All the characters have their own ideas and reasons for what they’re doing,? she said. ‘I always tell my cast to write a biography on their character, so they can get into their character and have a better understanding of who their character is.?
The comical cat-and-mouse duel between Flemmings and Columbo along with the surprising ending is something audience members won’t want to miss.
‘We hope to take you out of your world and bring you into our world, the world of Columbo,? Cable said.
Cable has been working with the Clarkston Village Players for 16 years.
Columbo Prescription Murder will be performed March 13-14, 20-22, and 26-28 at Depot Theater, 4861 White Lake Road. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m., Thursdays; 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays;and 2 p.m., Sundays.
For ticket information call 248-625-8811 or visit www.clarkstonvillageplayers.org.