The Pillowman Mystery Comes to The Laboratory Theater of Florida
The Laboratory Theater of Florida is presenting Martin McDonagh’s high-stakes mystery “The Pillowman” from October 8 through October 25, offering audiences a clever cat-and-mouse game between detectives and a fiction writer whose stories mirror a series of incidents.
Inside the Interrogation Room
Set entirely within the pressurized confines of a police station interrogation room, the play follows two detectives questioning a fiction writer regarding incidents that closely resemble his short stories. What unfolds is a fast-paced battle of wits featuring unexpected plot twists and intricate storytelling.
Director Nykkie Rizley compares the atmosphere of the production to popular crime procedurals. According to Rizley, if audiences enjoy shows like “Law & Order: SVU” or “Criminal Minds,” the theatrical production will resonate immediately, offering an edge-of-your-seat procedural experience complete with tense interrogations and twisted mind games.
The Creative Tension
Beyond the surface elements of a standard detective story, Director Nykkie Rizley notes that the production explores four profoundly broken human beings trapped in a pressure cooker where no character is purely good or evil, and the line separating the monster from the victim shifts constantly. The production features a cast including Jon Declet as Katurian, Chris Noonan as Michal, Christian Rivera as Tupolski, Ryan Adair as Ariel, Madelaine Weymouth as The Mother, Aseem Upadhyay as The Father, and Magnolia Gallant sharing the roles of The Boy and The Girl.
The material carries explicit content warnings. The production is rated 18+ for mature content, which includes explicit descriptions of harm to children, simulated violence, and sudden loud gunshots.
Schedule and Ticketing
Performances for “The Pillowman” run from October 8 through October 25 at the theater’s physical location at 1634 Woodford Ave. in the Fort Myers River District. Regular evening performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on October 9, 10, 15, 16, 22, 23, and 24, with matinee performances at 2 p.m. on October 11, 17, 18, and 25.
A half-price preview performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on October 8. Previews function as final dress rehearsals during which the director may pause the action to make adjustments, give actors notes, or alter direction.
Tickets are priced at $30 for adults and $15 for students. Tickets can be purchased online through the official website of The Laboratory Theater of Florida or by contacting the theater’s box office directly.