By Eva Trieger
LA MESA, California — In 1967, Americans were treated to a psychological thriller starring the multi-talented cast including Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin, Richard Crenna, Efrem Zimbalist Jr, Jack Weston and Julie Herrod. The film was based on a play that had been written a year earlier by Frederick Knott. This playwright also penned Dial M for Murder. Clearly, he was no amateur when it came to the “jump scare” genre.
Since the release of the film, the play has been adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, and Lamplighters Community Theatre does a brilliant job of infusing it with living, breathing, and breath-taking suspense. Director Kara Tuckfield shared that she felt these adaptations made it more accessible. The play retains its integrity to the post-war era, though for the careful observer there are subtle changes.
Susan Hendrix (Shealyn Sailors) was recently blinded in an accident. During her recovery she met her husband, Sam (Jim Miller). The two live in a basement apartment in Greenwich Village, New York City. With Sam’s constant independence coaching and some help from Gloria (Ashlyn Graves) a little girl who lives upstairs, Suzy successfully navigates her apartment and has memorized important phone numbers and routines. Using her cane, she can get from her apartment to Sam’s photo studio, but as Sam reminds her, the outside world is a scary place.
Apparently, the inside world is not without risks for a blind woman. Sam has returned from a trip, and unbeknownst to him, a doll has been placed in his suitcase. The doll is no ordinary doll and is the object of extreme interest to some thugs. Taking advantage of Suzy’s impairment, the men pose as policemen and gain access to the apartment. Carlino (Steven Jenson) a former cop who has turned, has paired up with the ruthless, demented Roat (Bobby Imperato). Watching Imperato conjured flashbacks of Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men. Carlino is no sweetheart, but Jenson delivers a more sympathetic foil to Roat’s predatory presentation.
As things intensify, and Suzy begins to doubt the two posers, her husband’s wartime buddy, Mike (Tanner Vidos) shows up and heroically, offers to protect her from the two bad guys, as he tries to assuage her and point out that she is being a bit paranoid. Susan’s depiction of a blind woman is on point. She flawlessly maneuvers around the apartment and does not meet the gaze of her fellow actors. This actor’s ability to appear blind is laudable. After the show I was a bit concerned when I saw her get into her VW and drive away!
The setting is very cleverly crafted so that the lighting is dim in parts and the audience experiences Suzy’s handicapped condition. Her unique cunning and wisdom enable her to deal with her captors head on. She enlists the aid of Gloria brilliantly, and the young girl (Ashlyn Graves) does an amazing job of assisting Susan.
Whether you remember this film or not, you owe it to yourself to go see this play! Every actor is worthy of the role and the story is truly spellbinding. This intimate venue is the perfect place to watch and become a part of the action.
Wait Until Dark will run through February 2nd. Tickets may be purchased at boxoffice@lamplighterslamesa.com or by phone at 619.303.5092
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Eva Trieger is a freelancer specializing in the coverage of the arts.