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 The
Thrill is On with Wait Until Dark!!
Wait Until Dark
By Frederick Knott
Directed by Ron OJ Parson, Resident Artist
Court Theater’s stage
production of the classic 1960’s movie thriller Wait Until
Dark was one of the most entertaining experiences I’ve had
in many years of patronizing Chicago’s extensive theater
network. Staying true to its mission to “. . . make a lasting
contribution to American theatre by expanding the canon of
translations and adaptations of classic texts,” the company
mindfully employs a multicultural cast to present this classic
tale of deception, intrusion and a war of wits. Directed by
Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson, this well-rounded cast offers a
masterful blend of suspense, humor and human relations in an
unforgettable fashion.
As a regular
patron of African American theater productions – seeking them
out to observe the breadth and depth of the African American
experience and its characterizations that most other media fall
short of delivering -- I have been a fan of Parson’s work since
viewing my first play in Chicago, which he directed in the mid
1990’s. Accordingly, I was anxiously anticipating his latest
installment of such and was admittedly initially disappointed to
see that this was not, in fact, another all-black cast
reflecting my own world of experiences. However, minutes into
the play, that idea vanished as it was replaced by my sheer
intrigue in the plot’s unfolding – a testament to the exquisite
story-telling of English playwright Frederick Knott -- who also
brought us Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder.
Ultimately, it was actually refreshing to observe such a diverse
and talented cast performing a play whose story line had no
reference to race at all.
 Originally
written for the stage before being produced as an Oscar
nominated film – Wait Until Dark is a good old-fashioned
thriller that relies on its clever dialogue, staging and story
development to build suspense and anxiety. Furthermore, unlike
a huge movie screen, small television screen or even a larger
theater house for that matter, the intimacy of the Court Theater
recreates its period stage setting so realistically, that its
intimacy actually pulls the audience into the scene more closely
than is perhaps comfortable, making the element of the thrill
even more potent. Having never seen the silver screen version,
I didn’t know what to expect of the journey of the plot and
spent most of the play’s duration on the edge of my seat or, on
occasion, falling back to the rear of it in laughter -- a rare
mix for live theater.
In the
opening scene, as lead character Susy Hendrix struggles to adapt
to her blindness in maneuvering her way through the apartment,
one is inclined to think her husband Sam is almost punishing in
his resistance to help her. But later we see that it’s a lesson
in “tough love” from which this student could only benefit from
her teacher’s demands. This sets the stage for a key thread in
weaving the play’s narrative: the unadulterated trust the
couple shares and the growing determination Susy has to prove
her independence. Together, the two ideals lead her into a
dangerous predicament, taking along with her the feisty, young
school girl Gloria, a neighbor who also has something to prove.
The “frenemies” end up forming an unlikely union in a battle of
the sexes against the villainous trio of intruders Mike, Carlino
and Roat.
Emjoy
Gavino’s execution of Susy’s blind character is richly
convincing and led me to seriously consider the real-life
challenges –and in an odd way, advantages -- of this
disability. In much the same way that the fans are the 6th
player at a basketball game, Susy’s blindness virtually serves
as an extra character, leaving the audience wondering whether it
will lead to a loss or victory. Likewise, Terrence Watts’ Sam
tenderly leads us to consider the qualities of endurance and
endearments that are essential in a marriage. As the partner in
crime with whom Susy interacts most often, Aaron Todd Douglas
carries his weight as Mike, Sam’s “trusted friend.” However,
John Hoogenakker as ring-leader Roat and Norm Boucher as
side-kick Carlino, manage to manipulate even more audience
emotion in their recreations of the quintessential hoodlums
often portrayed in the classic Hollywood crime dramas.
Judging by
the buzz of the audience (also culturally diverse) -- which
lingered well after the play’s end -- Wait Until Dark was
undoubtedly, for Court Theater, a mission accomplished. If
Parson’s presentation is a sign of the future of theater, the
thrill is not gone, the thrill is on!
Wendi Hill
Comments? E-mail me at
Wendi@so-LAZE.com
Wait Until Dark continues through
April 5, 2009. Sophisticate Special: $10 off
ticket price! Use promo code DARKHPB10 and select STX-$10Off.
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