Dalton Ell stars in the Gallo Center Repertory Company’s ‘Dial M for Murder.’
This is an updated adaptation of the Alfred Hitchcock 1954 masterpiece of the same title.
Locally, Ell is the current boys’ varsity basketball coach at East Union High, where he also teaches Health. He’s been there for the past four years.
“Acting (in front of a large crowd) is no different than playing basketball,” said Ell, who played hoops collegiately at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
He’s no stranger to acting, having done various films over the years. In his debut with GCRC, Dalton had a small supporting role as Paul Verrallin in ‘Born Yesterday.’
His film / TV credits include the 2023 remake of ‘White Man Can’t Jump,’ ‘Awakening,’ ‘Amp House Massacre,’ ‘Between the Sheets,’ ‘Cannonball,’ ‘To Tell the Truth,’ and ‘The Green Apple.’
He received the Best Sci-Fi Performance for his role as Flynn in the 2018 short film ‘Reaction’ by the Independent Spirit Awards.
Ell is looking forward to his much-anticipated lead role as Tony Wendice in ‘Dial M for Murder,’ which opens tonight at 7 o’clock in the Foster Family Theater of the Gallo Center, 1000 I St., Modesto – included in all are six performances, from this weekend and the following, with Saturday, Oct. 18, being the encore.
As Tony, he’s convinced that his wife, Margot (Erica DeHart), has been cheating on him. But his jealousy – that’s despite the affair seemingly being over – has Tony spinning a web of suspension and deception that will, according to GCRC, “tighten around them and ensnare them both in danger, recrimination, and murder.”
As an educator and coach, Dalton Ell is looking forward to his players, students, friends, and colleagues in attendance at ‘Dial M for Murder’’ under the direction of Jewel Whitaker, knowing the likelihood of being teased, especially from the basketball team.
He wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’ve always enjoyed having this creative outlet,” said Ell, who serves as an example that young people can do more than just one thing.
For more information including performances and tickets, click on to https://galloarts.org.
