Q&A Interview with David Pasquino, Founder of DJP Productions

by Richard Young

by Richard Young

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.

(Pictured: DJP Productions founder David Pasquino in character as Lt. Columbo. Photo by Ross Davidson.)

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.

(Pictured: Tameka Brown as Miss Petrie, André Cormier as Dr. Roy Flemming, and David Pasquino as Lt. Columbo. Photo by Ross Davidson.)

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!

(Pictured: Cast & Crew of Prescription: Murder. Photo by Ross Davidson.)

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

Daily Stoic Passage, December 26, 2025.

by Richard Young

“It went by fast, didn’t it? Twelve months. Just 12 months ago, you were right here, thinking about how 2025 would go, thinking about changes you were trying to make, things you were going to start, things you were going to stop.

Well?

It’s like that verse in the beautiful John Lennon and Yoko Ono Christmas song:

So this is Christmas

And what have you done?

Another year over

And a new one just begun

The first part of that haunts us a little. There was more we could have done. There were things we fell short with. There was life left unlived. It’s a little bittersweet and sad, isn’t it? A little disappointing, even shameful. But it’s that final line that has the hope in it—and the imperative.

We’ve been blessed with another go, or at least the start of another go. Will we take it? Or will we go on the same as we did before and before and before?

Marcus Aurelius had a powerful thought exercise that is worth trying here at the close of the year. Think of yourself as dead, he says. Imagine that your life has come to its end. Think about what you left undid. Think about the perspective this puts on things. Think about what you’ll regret, what you’ll wish you could do differently, what you’d say, what you wish you’d started and stopped. Now, he says, you’ve been given a second chance, so take what’s left and live it properly.

This is Christmas. What have you done? 2025 is over. But now 2026 is just beginning.

Live it properly.”

Listen to Happy Xmas (War Is Over): https://youtu.be/flA5ndOyZbI?si=tDDNN3sfpdl_6FzL

Daily Stoic Passage, December 25, 2025.

by Richard Young

We are living just two millennia after one of history’s greatest philosophers walked the earth. This philosopher came of age in the Roman Empire, spreading a message of kindness, forgiveness, mercy, and duty. Through his life and legacy, he taught millions of people how to live, die, and better themselves while treating their neighbors with compassion. But his wisdom became controversial—a threat to the state—and he ultimately met his end at the hands of Roman centurions.

Even in his agonizing final moments, later immortalized in great works of art, he urged his followers to stay strong, live a good life, and forgive the Romans for their ignorance. In his bravery, he cemented his legacy forever.

This is the story of Jesus, celebrated worldwide today on Christmas.

It is also the story of Seneca. Remarkably, these two figures lived nearly parallel lives, with many sources suggesting they were born in the same year. While exact dates remain uncertain, it is undeniable that two of history’s most profound thinkers lived at the same time.

Even more striking are the overlaps in their teachings. This Christmas morning, it’s worth reflecting on the shared wisdom of these extraordinary lives.

On the Golden Rule:

“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” — Jesus

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.” — Seneca

On getting revenge:

“If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” — Jesus

“It is a petty and sorry person who will bite back when he is bitten.” — Seneca

On tending to one’s own garden:

“And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” — Jesus

“You look at the pimples of others when you yourselves are covered with a mass of sores.” — Seneca

On material possessions:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal…No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” — Jesus

“If my wealth should melt away, it would deprive me of nothing but itself, but if yours were to depart you would be stunned and feel you were deprived of what makes you yourself. With me, wealth has a certain place; in your case it has the highest place. In short, I own my wealth, your wealth owns you.” — Seneca

On living in the present:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” — Jesus

“Two elements must therefore be rooted out once and for all: the fear of future suffering, and the recollection of past suffering; since the latter no longer concerns me, and the former concerns me not yet.” — Seneca

The legacy, teachings, and wisdom of both figures have lived on far beyond their deaths.

This Christmas, marvel at the near-miracle of these two wise men—alive at the same time—whose suffering and teachings shaped a lasting legacy.

​Choosing whose wisdom to rely on is personal, but embracing their lessons is a gift we would all do well to accept.

Daily Stoic Passage, December 23, 2025:

by Richard Young

Daily Stoic Passage, December 23, 2025:

“You are afraid of dying. But, come now, how is this life of yours anything but death?” – Seneca, Moral Letters.

Seneca tells us an amazing story about an obscenely wealthy Roman who was carried around by slaves on a litter. On one occasion, after being lifted out of a bath, the Roman asked, “ Am I sitting down yet?” Seneca’s point was essentially: What kind of sad, pathetic life is it if you’re so disconnected from the world that you don’t even know whether you‘re on the ground? How did the man know whether he was even alive at all?

Most of us are afraid of dying. But sometimes this fear begs the question: To protect what exactly? For a lot of people, the answer is: hours of television, gossiping, gorging, wasting potential, reporting to a boring job, and on and on and on. Except, in the stricter sense, is this actually a life? Is this worth gripping so tightly and being afraid of losing?

It doesn’t sound like it.

Daily Stoic Passage, December 22, 2025.

by Richard Young

“Many times, an old man has no other evidence besides his age to prove he has lived a long time.” – Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind.

How long have you been alive? Take the years, multiply them by 365, and then by 24. How many hours have you lived? What do you have to show for all of them?

The answer for many people is: Not enough. We had so many hours that we took them for granted. All we have to show for our time on this planet are rounds of golf, years spent at the office, time spent watching mediocre movies, a stack of mindless books we hardly remember reading, and maybe a garage full of toys. We’re like the character in Raymond Chandler’s The Long Goodbye: “Mostly, I just kill time,” he says, “and it dies hard.”

One day, our hours will begin to run out. It would be nice to be able to say: “Hey, I really made the most of it.” Not in the form of achievements, not money, not status – you know what the Stoics think of all that – but in wisdom, insight, and real progress in the things that humans struggle against.

What if you could say that you really made something of this time that you had? What if you could prove that you really did live [ insert number] years? And not just lived them, but lived them fully?

(Source: The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living.)