Before the first line is spoken, the sounds of Prescription: Murder set the tone.
Our preshow playlist gives audiences an early taste of the world they’re stepping into—cool, elegant, and edged with tension. The music will blend mid‑century jazz, atmospheric instrumentals, and subtle noir influences that mirror the psychological cat‑and‑mouse game that is at the heart of the play.
Sound in this production isn’t just background—it’s part of the storytelling. The score and transitions help shape mood, shift power, and guide the audience deeper into the mystery.
Come see us April 17th thru 26th, to hear us setting the mood for the game (bonus points if you catch a few sound clips from the TV pilot). Just scroll down on your phone, or look in the upper right corner of your computer screen to buy your tickets now.
Lt. Columbo is far more than the rumpled raincoat, the scuffed shoes, or the ever-present cigar. He’s a master of quiet disarmament—a detective who wins not by force or bravado, but by making people underestimate him. His shambling charm masks a razor‑sharp mind, and his meandering small talk is a deliberate strategy that lulls suspects into revealing exactly what he needs. Columbo embodies the idea that brilliance doesn’t have to look polished, and that humility—real or performed—can be the most powerful investigative tool of all.
Our production leans into the psychological chess match at the heart of the story, showing how Columbo quietly unravels a perfect crime thread by thread. Come see us April 17th thru 26th, to watch every move he makes. Just scroll down on your phone, or look in the upper right corner of your computer to buy your tickets now.
Rehearsals are underway, and the tension is already building.
The past two weeks, the cast has been getting the show up on it’s feet, while getting themselves up on their feet. They’ve been working on blocking, which is the theatrical term for mapping out where the actors are moving on stage, when they’re moving, and what they’re doing.
With the blocking under wraps, this week the cast has started to dig into the character development. Looking at the words more closely, figuring out what makes them tick. Watching the actors explore power, charm, and manipulation has been electric.
Stay tuned—this ensemble is crafting something special.
What makes Prescription: Murder such a gripping night at the theater?
Before Lt. Columbo ever appeared on television, he first came to life on the stage in this sharp, psychological thriller. The play blends elegant mid‑century style with a tense cat‑and‑mouse game between a brilliant psychiatrist and the detective who refuses to be underestimated.
If you love mystery, wit, and slow‑burn suspense, this is the show to watch this spring.
Performance Location: Liberace Auditorium at the West Milwaukee Intermediate School 51st & Greenfield Ave. West Allis
Parking can be found in the school parking lot off of 51st Street, or anywhere along any of the streets surrounding the school
Ticket Information Tickets can be purchased ahead of time by visiting our online ticket site here. *Note, this will open in a new tab.
Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Adult: $20.00 Seniors: $18.00 Children (12 and under): $14.00
The Cast List (in order of appearance):
Character Name
Actor Name
Miss Petrie
Andie Miller
Dr. Roy Flemming
Scott Fudali
Claire Flemming
Angie Rodenkirch
Susan Hudson
Sophia Bernhardt
Lt. Columbo
Zach Sharrock
Dave Gordon / Delivery Man
Monte Driscoll
The Production Team:
Production Team
Team Member
Director
Pat Breed Kaiser
Assistant Director
Bill Kaiser
Production Coordinator
Mary Beth Topf
Stage Manager
Bill Kaiser
Set Designer
Scott Fudali
Set Construction
Scott Fudali & Cast/Crew
Lighting Designer
Pat Breed Kaiser
Sound Designer
Scott Fudali
Costume Designer
Shawn Anderson
Props Master
Donna McMaster
Lighting/Sound Technician
Pat Kaiser
Box Office
Mike Jablonski
Front of House
Ray Nazer
The Cliff Notes: Prescription: Murder follows the chillingly calculated scheme of Dr. Roy Flemming, a brilliant psychiatrist who believes he can engineer the perfect crime. Trapped in a failing marriage and entangled with a devoted young lover, he crafts an elaborate plan to murder his wife and stage an airtight alibi. At first, everything seems to unfold flawlessly—until the case lands in the hands of Lieutenant Columbo, a seemingly disheveled detective with an uncanny instinct for human behavior. Columbo’s polite persistence and deceptively casual questions begin to chip away at Flemming’s confidence. As psychological pressure mounts, cracks appear in the doctor’s carefully constructed façade. Loyalties shift, nerves fray, and the truth becomes harder for Flemming to control. In this gripping cat‑and‑mouse thriller, the audience watches a master manipulator slowly unravel under the gaze of a detective who is far sharper than he appears.
For any additional show questions, feel free to drop us a note at info@westallisplayers.org. See you at the show!
