2025-26 season
A cartoon illustration of a person dressed as a waiter or butler holding a tray with a black cake with a messy, grimy appearance. The person is wearing a black tuxedo with a red bow tie, which is splattered with red, suggesting blood or sauce.

The Butler Did It

July 17 - August. 16, 2026

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Written by Jeffrey Hatcher I Directed by David Ira Goldstein

A Park Square World Premiere

A witty and suspenseful comedy thriller in the grand tradition of Dial M for Murder and Columbo.

Jeffrey Hatcher’s The Butler Did It invites audiences into a world of secrets, suspicion, and perfectly planned crimes.

Set in the spring of 1975, in San Francisco at the prestigious Portman School for Gentlemen’s Gentlemen - a finishing school for butlers who serve the fabulously wealthy - The Butler Did It transports audiences to a world where appearances can be deceiving, every detail matters, and everyone has something to hide. When a seemingly perfect crime sets events in motion, the question is not simply what happened, but whether the truth can remain hidden when the quietly brilliant Inspector Denise arrives on the scene.

Inspired by the classic “inverted mystery” - where audiences witness the crime before watching the detective unravel the plan - The Butler Did It pays tribute to one of the genre’s most beloved examples: Columbo. Jeffrey Hatcher knows that world firsthand, having written the 1998 Columbo episode Ashes to Ashes, working alongside series star Peter Falk and director Patrick McGoohan. Decades later, Hatcher revisits his fascination with the perfectly planned crime and the detective clever enough to expose it.

In the spirit of Lieutenant Columbo’s patient investigation, Hatcher introduces audiences to Inspector Denise, an original detective whose unassuming appearance and quiet persistence conceal a brilliant mind. As clues emerge and secrets unravel, Denise must rely on her sharp instincts to uncover what others have missed.

The Butler Did It celebrates the golden age of mystery storytelling while bringing a brand-new theatrical mystery to the stage from one of America’s most acclaimed playwrights.

Runtime
Approximately 125 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.

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Content Warning
This production includes alcohol consumption, mild language, stage weapons, simulated gunfire, a simulated explosion, flashing lights, and loud sound effects.

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Age Recommendation
Recommended for ages 13 and up. Parental discretion is advised due to mature subject matter.

Accessibility Info

Media

Videography by Michael Hanisch & Photography by Dan Norman

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Cast

  • Anna Beth Baker

    Emma

  • Neal Beckman

    Tony

  • Pearce Bunting

    Merriman

  • Peter Christian Hansen

    Nicholas Lane

  • Steve Hendrickson

    Portman

  • Norah Long

    Lady Caroline

  • Allison Vincent

    Inspector Denise

  • Pete Colburn

    u/s Portman, Merriman

  • Jane Froiland

    u/s Inspector Denise, Emma, Lady Caroline

  • Carl Swanson

    u/s Tony, Lane

Creative Team

  • Jeffrey Hatcher

    Playwright

  • David Ira Goldstein

    Director

  • Maje Adams

    Assistant Director

  • Benjamin Olsen

    Scenic Designer

  • Mathew LeFebvre

    Costume Designer

  • Karin Olson

    Lighting Designer

  • Fred Kennedy

    Sound Designer

  • Sadie Ward

    Props Designer

  • Mason Tyer

    Fight Choreographer

  • Timothy Toothman

    Stage Manager

  • Holly Campbell

    Assistant Stage Manager

  • Rachel Glotter Snitzer

    Assistant Props Designer

  • Clare Pearson

    Assistant Scenic Designer

Crew

  • Technical Director | Evan Sima

    Sound Supervisor | Parker Love

    Scene Shop Supervisor | Erin Gustafson

    Lighting Supervisor | Craig Moxon

    Interim Costume Shop Supervisor | Meghan Kent

    Scenic Charge | Erika Soukup

    Painter | Aleya Berry

    Painter | Hannah Litzinger

  • Painter | Keith Ridley

    Painter / Carpenter | Emerson Stenbeck

    Carpenter | Roan Childress

    Carpenter | John Lutz

    Carpenter / Sound Board | Phong Mai

    Carpenter | Tyler Nordberg

    Carpenter | Luke Ostercamp

    Carpenter | Will Rafferty

  • Carpenter | Tyler Krohn

    Carpenter | Vincent Kenobbie

    Lead Electrician | Chase Foster

    Electrician | Alan Donahue

    Electrician | Bevibel Harvey

    Electrician | Max McDowell

    Electrician | Jacquilin Stauder

    Wardrobe | Ransom Stalker-Herron

    Wig/Hair Designer | Andrea Moriarty

Set Design by Benjamin Olsen with Assistance from Clare Pearson

Press & Testimonials

  • The 10 best things to do and see in the Twin Cities this week

    The Minnesota Star Tribune

    READ MORE

  • Theater review: Have fun cracking the case with Park Square’s ‘The Butler Did It’

    Pioneer Press

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  • "The Butler Did It" at Park Square Theatre

    Cherry and Spoon

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  • The Butler Did It Satisfies the Mystery Lover With a Brand New Sleuth I’m Dying to See More of at Park Square Theatre

    The Stages of MN

    READ MORE

  • The Butler Did It - Park Square Theatre - July 2026

    Ernest Goes to the Theatre

    READ HERE

  • REVIEW OF THE BUTLER DID IT AT PARK SQUARE THEATRE

    Play Off The Page

    READ MORE

PRESS KIT | THE BUTLER DID IT