East Coast Premiere
By James M. Cain
Adapted for the stage by David Pichette and R. Hamilton Wright
Directed by Eleanor Holdridge
May 30 – June 24, 2012
Photo of Marty Lodge by Danisha Crosby
Round House Theatre Bethesda
Mystery, lust, intrigue, and murder! In 1930s Los Angeles, disillusioned insurance agent Walter Huff finds temptation too hard to resist when he meets femme fatale Phyllis Nirlinger, the wife of a wealthy client. After realizing that she wants to get rid of her husband, Huff decides to help her plan the “perfect crime.” Accident insurance pays double indemnity on railroad mishaps, so they plot to get Nirlinger on and off a train without arousing the suspicions of the police, the insurance company, Nirlinger’s dishy daughter, her mysterious boyfriend, or Nirlinger himself.
This tale, adapted by Billy Wilder in his snappy film noir, now comes to the stage in a delicious new take on the celebrated suspense novel.
Phyllis: Celeste Ciulla
Lola/Secretary: Molly Cahill Govern
Huff: Marty Lodge
Nino/Jackson/Norton and Huff Understudy: Danny Gavigan
Nerlinger/Keyes: Todd Scofield
Nino/Jackson/Norton Understudy: Robbie Gay
The role of Huff will be played by Danny Gavigan on June 16 (8pm performance) and June 17. Robbie Gay will play the roles of Nino, Jackson, and Norton at those 2 performances.
Director: Eleanor Holdridge
Scenic & Projection Designer: Daniel Conway
Costume Designer: Kathleen Geldard
Lighting Designer: Nancy Schertler
Sound Designer/Composer: Matthew M. Nielson
Props Designer: Michelle Elwyn
Fight Choreographer: Casey Kaleba
Projection Engineer: Erik Trester
Assistant Director: Batya Feldman
Assistant Costume Designer: Collin Ranney
Production Stage Manager: Jennifer Schwartz
Recommended for age 13 and above
Double Indemnity is sponsored in part through generous support from Pasternak & Fidis
For info about audience events during Double Indemnity – including the Parents’ Matinee (childcare for ages 3-12, must be potty trained), pre- and post-show discussions, audio-described and sign-interpreted performances – click here
BookTalk: Double Indemnity
On Sunday, June 10 at 12:30pm, Bethesda’s Writer’s Center presents a panel discussion on James M. Cain’s novel. Moderated by fiction writer and critic Art Taylor, mystery novelists Megan Abbott and Con Lehane join National Public Radio book reviewer Maureen Corrigan and Round House’s Blake Robison to discuss why the book remains one of the defining classics of the hardboiled genre. Click here to visit the Writer’s Center website for more info.