Wait Until Dark - review

[Jane Zussman]

The classic thriller Wait Until Dark has doused the Lebowsky stage in darkness and intrigue (and maybe a little gasoline?!). Director Sabrina Dahlgren has managed the challenges of fighting, lighting and darkness to draw us into this convoluted tale of con artists desperate to get a drug-stuffed doll from a blind woman, who is not as defenseless as she seems. 

We know there’s trouble ahead as we watch Carlino (TJ Kelly) snoop around the basement-apartment set (design?build by Bob Gehrls) only to be joined by criminal mastermind Roat (Lewis C. Elson) plotting to find the drug/doll. Unbeknownst, Susan (Sally Hecksel) and her photographer husband Sam (Evan Russ) demonstrate a loving relationship in their opening scene. He’s solicitous of her as his blind wife, but trusts her on her own with the help of the neighbor girl upstairs, played with devious charm by 10-year old 5th grader Lyla Krauss. Then hubby’s off on his business trip and the plot thickens. His supportive old friend, Mike Talman (Colt Sutton) arrives and becomes an ally — or is he? 

Though many know this plot, I’ll avoid spoilers, but encourage all to be alert for the many precision plot twists and clues. Sally combines a vulnerability that makes us worry with a cleverness and spirit that give us hope. TJ and Colt offer distinct personalities and questionable allegiances. (Note that TJ Kelly is not on the program cast list, though he does have a bio and is very much present onstage!) Lewis’s versatility is tapped as he plays not only the progressively unhinged villain of the piece but also the manufactured characters Harry Roat Senior and Harry Roat Junior who add accusations, confusion and doubt for our blind heroine.

Special appreciation goes to the challenging tech aspects including lighting (Adam Gordon) keeping it dark but discernible and managing multiple indoor/out-the-window lights, as well as the glowing inner refrigerator. Sound (Brandon McDuff) also contributed, with refrigerator hum and other ominous non-music sounds. Fight choreographer Chris Krause made sure the actors survived to do another performance — though that seemed very much in jeopardy in the moment, onstage.

As director Sabrina states in her program note, “This script is filled with detail… It demands not just performance but precision…It reminds us how much we rely on what we see and how much we miss when we don’t slow down and listen.” I encourage you to read the whole note in the program.

Wait Until Dark  continues through November 2 at the Lebowsky Center in Owosso. More info and tickets at http://lebowskycenter.com

Jane Zussman
G.L.U.T. List
(Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre)
cell 517-930-0932
JSZussman@gmail.comhttp://www.greaterlansingtheatre.net To review past emails as they were sent, click “About the G.L.U.T.” and choose “email list” from the drop-down menu — also check out the all-theatres calendar.

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