MILLBROOK, June 15 — The Millbrook Players opened their summer season Friday night with a live stage adaptation of the 1957 noir film Ashwood Junction, and the result is something audiences aren't likely to forget anytime soon. Directed by Petra Simmons and performed at the intimate Riverview Playhouse on Commerce Drive, the 90-minute production takes a beloved black-and-white thriller and drags it — in the best possible way — into a vivid, neon-soaked present day.
A Familiar Story, Freshly Told
The original film, which starred fictional silver-screen icons of the mid-century era, follows a small-town detective unraveling a conspiracy at a rural train depot. Simmons relocates the action to a contemporary bus terminal and reimagines the corrupt rail bosses as rideshare executives, a change that lands with surprising sharpness. Lead actor Tomás Herrera delivers a slow-burn performance as Detective Cal Merrow, anchoring scenes that could easily tip into parody. Supporting actress Nadia Foulds nearly steals the show as the morally complicated informant Lena Voss — a role that in the original film was frustratingly underwritten. The Players clearly did their homework, and the effort shows in every scene transition and shadow-play lighting choice.
Should You Go?
The short answer is yes. The Riverview Playhouse seats only 180 people, so tickets are going fast. Here's what you need to know before you go:
- Shows run Thursdays through Sundays through July 20
- Tickets are $18 general admission, $12 for students and seniors
- The playhouse is fully accessible and has free parking behind the building
- A post-show talk-back with the director and cast happens every Thursday night
The Millbrook Players have been staging productions in this city for 31 years, and Ashwood Junction is proof that their best work may still be ahead of them. Grab your tickets at riverviewplayhouse.org or at the box office one hour before curtain.
