What follows is a Q&A Interview with David Pasquino, founder of DJP Productions, who also plays Lieutenant Columbo in the company’s inaugural production, Prescription: Murder, which plays on the Auburn Stage at the Grand Theatre from March 19 to 29.
Q. How did Prescription: Murder come about? Is it my understanding that its origins are to be found in an episode of the beloved TV series Columbo? Which came first – the play or the TV show?
It’s a great question, and the answer is a bit of a twist worthy of Columbo himself.
Most people assume Prescription: Murder came after the TV series, but in fact, it’s where Columbo began. The story first appeared in March 1960 as a short piece by William Link and Richard Levinson in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, featuring a detective named Lt. Fisher.
The next version of the story was called Enough Rope and was featured in alive television drama on The Chevy Mystery Show. That’s where we first encounter Lt. Columbo. In the show, Dr. Flemming and his wife plan a weekend trip to Toronto (as opposed to upstate New York, as we see in the play)!
That version evolved into the stage play Prescription: Murder in 1962, which toured successfully and was headed for Broadway before the untimely death of its lead actor, Thomas Mitchell. It wasn’t until 1968 that the story was adapted into the now-iconic TV special starring Peter Falk, launching the beloved Columbo series as we know it.
So, the origin story actually runs in reverse of what most people think:
short story → live TV → stage play → TV special.
Q. What motivated you to select this particular play for DJP Productions’ first production?
Honestly? It’s Pat Sajak’s fault!
A couple of years ago, I came across an article about what Pat planned to do after Wheel of Fortune. Surprisingly, it wasn’t retirement, it was community theatre! Even more surprising? He was stepping into the role of Dr. Flemming in Prescription: Murder at the Hawaii Theatre for a fundraiser. I had no idea that Columbo had started as a play!
That stopped me in my tracks. I had grown up watching Columbo with my family, but I had no idea the character originated on stage. Curious, I ordered the script, and the moment I read it, I was hooked. The tension, the structure, the cat-and-mouse dynamic, it all felt tailor-made for live theatre. And somewhere along the way, I had a realization: I need to see this on stage… and I want to play Columbo.
I brought the idea to my talented wife, Diana Tamblyn, and instead of talking me out of it, she leaned in. She offered to take on the marketing and promotion, and together we saw the opportunity: a smart, suspenseful story with a built-in nostalgia factor that we felt would really resonate with London audiences.
So, what started as a late-night click on an article quickly turned into something much bigger: the launch of DJP Productions and our first production.
Q. Could you provide a brief plot synopsis of the play?
Without giving too much away? Okay: a murder has taken place. A certain unkempt, fumbling, cigar-smoking detective appears on the scene and must unravel the mystery while matching wits with a brilliant killer.
Q. Why did you choose to stage the play at the Auburn Theatre?
I’ve performed there before, so I already knew how special the space is, it has this intimate energy where the audience feels close enough to be part of the story, but still large enough to create real theatrical impact. For a show like Prescription: Murder, where tension and subtlety matter, that balance is everything.
As a first-time producer, that “middle ground” was important. I didn’t want something too small or something overwhelming. The Auburn sits perfectly in that sweet spot: ambitious, but manageable.
There’s also a practical side. It’s a great central location, and having the support of The Grand Theatre behind the scenes, especially for ticketing, adds a level of professionalism and confidence that’s invaluable for a first production.
To top it off, our Director, Stephen Mitchell, worked as a technician in the space for many years, so he is intimately familiar with it. In a lot of ways, the Auburn wasn’t just a venue choice; it became part of the foundation that made launching DJP Productions feel possible.
Q. The Lt. Columbo character, played so marvellously by the late Peter Falk, with all his quirks and mannerisms, must be a hoot to play. Tell me about how you prepared to play the character.
You’d think the first thing I’d do is binge-watch Columbo—but I actually did the opposite.
Peter Falk’s performance is so iconic, so deeply ingrained in all of us, that I knew if I immersed myself in it again, I’d end up doing an imitation of him, and that’s not what this play calls for. Since this version of Columbo actually predates the TV series, so my goal was to go back to the source.
Instead, I lived in the script. I read it over and over, really digging into the stage directions, the rhythm of the dialogue, the subtle cues the writers embedded. I wanted to understand who Columbo was before he became the trench coat, the cigar, the cultural icon.
That said, you can’t completely escape Peter Falk, and I wouldn’t want to. There are a few small, intentional nods in my performance, and I’m sure some of those familiar quirks will surface naturally. But the aim isn’t to replicate—it’s to rediscover.
It will be interesting to hear from people what they think. Regardless, trying to step into the shoes that Peter Falk wore so well for so long is a daunting task, and I hope that people will find my Columbo both fresh and… comfortably familiar.
Q. What have been your major challenges getting into the character? Any fear that audiences will spend too much time comparing your portrayal to that of Falk?
I have woken up early many mornings worrying about exactly that! Of course, I want to pay homage to Peter Falk’s Columbo, but I don’t want to be David Pasquino playing Peter Falk playing Columbo.
Again, that’s where the script comes in because it was written before Peter Falk ever took on the role, so my responsibility was to stay true to that original interpretation. I even considered dyeing my hair to resemble him more closely—but my wife made a great point: not looking like Falk might actually help the audience separate my Columbo from his.
Q. What can audiences expect from Prescription: Murder?
For those audience members who are fans of Columbo, hopefully a pleasant visit with a familiar friend. For those who are new to Columbo, an introduction to a cast of interesting, fun characters and a visit to a time before cell phones!
And for both, an enjoyable evening experiencing the twists and turns in a smart, fun story, watching a game of cat and mouse between two brilliant but unconventional people, where the outcome may be known, but how they get there is all the fun!
Q. Tell me about DJP Productions, its origins, mandate and future plans.
I set up DJP Productions for the sole purpose of putting on this show. “DJP” may be my initials, but it could also stand for “Discover Joy and Passion,” which is what I hope that everyone involved in this show, cast, crew and audience, will experience.
As for the future… let’s see how this one goes, and then I’ll see what I’m up for. Although I have had a few people approach me with ideas!
Q. Is there anything else you think our readers should know about DJP’s production of Prescription: Murder?
Let’s all have some fun and enjoy the show!
Cast:
Tameka Brown – Miss Petrie
Andre Cormier – Dr. Roy Flemming
Eve Cohen – Claire Flemming
Makayla Ashenden – Susan Hudson
David Pasquino – Lieutenant Columbo
Sam Didi – Dave Gordon/Delivery Person
Crew:
Stephen Mitchell – Director/ Sound & Set Design
Mariann Sawyer – Stage Manager
Jessica Norrie – Assistant Stage Manager
Barbara Rand – Props Lead
Nancy Daoust – Props Assistant
Tannis Daoust – Costumes
Diana Tamblyn – Marketing & Promotion
Rob Coles – Lighting Design
David Pasquino – Producer
IF YOU GO:
What: DJP Productions presents Prescription: Murder.
When: March 19 to March 29, 2026.
Where: Auburn Stage at the Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond Street, London, ON.
Tickets: Available in-person at the Box Office, by phone at 519.672.8800, and online at Prescription: Murder | The Grand Theatre
Q&A Interview conducted by Richard Young.
The Beat Magazine 2025 