`Wait Until Dark' brings nail-biting suspense to Hamman
Wait Until Dark takes place in the apartment of Susy and Sam Hendrix (Emily Meyer and Jeff Hernandez). While I can't give away too much of the plot since it's a mystery, I will say that the action focuses on the criminals who terrorize Susy, who is blind. This adds up to many nail-bitingly nervous scenes, including some in which we are rendered blind along with Susy.
The one weakness in this production is the fact that, as a thriller, the action needs to be fast-paced and as a tightly wound as a spring. Most of the play progresses that way, but there are some slow moments where the pacing of the scenes weakens some of the tension in the story. Most of the pacing problems stemmed from the fact that there is so much going on at all times.
Meyer pours an amazing amount of energy and work into her role as the terrorized blind woman. There were quite a few moments that made me want to scream, "Watch out!" to help her. Meyer plays her character remarkably well for someone who can see.
Peter Rogers, as Mike Talman, pulls off the difficult job of being a con man who is also a sympathetic character. His difficult role as the "lesser of two evils" illustrates the difference between con men and violent criminals.
One pleasant surprise in the show was Julian Altschul as Carlino. This role affords him the opportunity to display his versatility. There are a few moments that come across as a bit heavy-handed, but this can be attributed to the character he plays.
Jeremy Gibson as Roat, who masterminds the plot against Susy, truly chills the blood. Gibson finds the right level of controlled ice needed for this character. The dead calm Gibson works through makes him frightening.
As Sam, Susy's husband, and Gloria, her neighbor, Jeff Hernandez and Annabel Tsai round out the strong cast.
This show is another design success for the Players. The set design by Courtney Kneupper and the light design by Marc Stubblefield rise to the occasion of the show's technical needs. This is a show where the placement of items on stage and the lighting are almost as important as the actors.
The Players are definitely on their way to a successful season. This show is a must-see for anyone who likes mystery and suspense.
This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the November 10, 1995 issue.
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