Review: 'Wait Until Dark' by the Warner Stage Company

Torrington, CT - The Warner Stage Company is opening their 2019-2020 season in the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre with their first thriller, a play by Frederick Knott, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher that is aptly entitled WAIT UNTIL DARK.

Apparently this play by Mr. Knott was made into a film in 1967 that starred Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin and Richard Crenna, with Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Julie Herrod and Jack Weston, with the screenplay by Robert Carrington and Jane-Howard Carrington. The ladies seated in front of me could be heard making comparisons between Warner production and the film that they both had obviously seen, and there are some clear differences to the details that I read in a synopsis of the film. During her curtain speech, Sharon W. Houk mentioned that she has been waiting a long time to bring this piece to the Warner and that when they finally secured the rights, she had to choose between two different versions. In this version, the character of Lisa is never seen.

Forty-seven years after WAIT UNTIL DARK premiered on Broadway, Mr. Hatcher adapted Frederick Knott's 1966 original, giving it a new setting. Now we are in a basement apartment in 1944 Greenwich Village, where Susan Hendrix, a blind yet capable woman, is imperiled by a trio of men in her own apartment. As the climax builds, Susan discovers that her blindness just might be the key to her escape, but she and her tormentors must wait until dark to play out this classic thriller's chilling and gripping conclusion. There are three scenes presented with one intermission between the first two and the final act; they fit neatly in a bit more than two hours.

I spent the two hours paying rapt attention to the six members of the cast so I didn’t miss anything. The talented community theatre performers made it all look easy, when it clearly was not easy at all. George Murphy directed the cast expertly in his first foray into directing a non-musical production. Chet Ostroski was the able (and busy) fight choreographer.

The youngest member of the cast was Lillian Jackson as young Gloria, and she managed to rise to the level of the adult performances in her role. Ms. Jackson is a student at Thomaston HS, and is already making her second appearance with the Warner Stage Company, having appeared with the rainbow Dream Choir in JOSEPH. She has also appeared at the Thomaston Opera House in PETER PAN and THE WIZARD OF OZ.

Jake Albrecht made the most of his relatively small role of photographer Sam Hendrix, the new husband of Susan, who has no idea of the depth of his wife’s bravery.

Patrick R. Spadaccino (THE LITTLE MERMAID) stepped into the role of Lt. Mike Talman. Mr. Spadaccino has participated in theatre since childhood and it certainly shows in his performances. He definitely looked the part in his Marine uniform and he had me fooled until the point where he revealed his true intentions.

Rob Grgach (Guy of Gisbourne in SHERWOOD at the Phoenix Stage Company) was terrifyingly effective as the ringleader Harry Roat. This tall, dark and handsome actor, who grew up in Torrington and just now makes his debut on a Warner stage, was perfectly cast in the role of both Mr. Roats.

James Hyland did so very well with the strong role of former cop Sergeant Carlino and the hat that accompanied his costumes certainly helped. Mr. Hyland, who currently resides in Newington, has studied with the National Shakespeare Co in New York and at the Hartford Stage and has many Shakespearean works to his credit.

I was most impressed with the work of the lovely Olivia Wadsworth in the important role of Susan Hendrix in her first production with the Warner Stage Company. I do not get to write this about many community theatre actors, but I actually have had the pleasure of working with Ms. Wadsworth, albeit as a voice actor. I first met this Berkshire Community College student when we were recording an episode of NUTMEG JUNCTION, an originally scripted audio theatre program. Every move of this performance was masterful and the audience could truly believe that the character was a blind woman. Kudos to this young actress on a stunning debut on this stage.

The detailed set designed by Stephen C. Houk (ONCE, AVENUE Q) met all of the requirements of the script and worked seamlessly. Kyle Kurtich designed the moody lighting that added to the mystery and was never too dark. Karla Woodworth nailed it as the scenic artist and props master. The costumes designed by Tom Gordon and Renee C. Purdy definitely fit the era. Dustin Pfaender was in charge of the sound design which included some mysterious music.

Despite my close attention, I missed a few of the details of the action, but it did not decrease my enjoyment of the matinee. Don't miss this thriller! "Wait Until Dark" in the Studio Theatre. For tickets and more information, visit warnertheatre.org or call the box office at 860-489-7180.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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