Review: WAIT UNTIL DARK at Everyman Theatre - Another Whodunit by Playwright Frederick Knott

Everyman Theatre has established a history of success doing mysteries. They had supERB Productions of DEATHTRAP and AN INSPECTOR CALLS.

Artistic Director Vince Lancisi decided to open its 26th season with another one, WAIT UNTIL DARK, written by Frederick Knott. Knott was the writer of DIAL M FOR MURDER which was given a splendid production at the Olney Theatre Center last spring.

WUD was initially done on Broadway in 1966 and starred Lee Remick and Robert Duvall and directed by Arthur Penn. A year later, it was made into a successful film with Audrey Hepburn and Alan Arkin.

In 2013, Jeffrey Hatcher adapted the play for the Geffen Playhouse in LA and he changed the 1966 contemporary setting to 1944 in Greenwich Village.

If you have not seen the terrific film I am not going to ruin for you. For you, this play will certainly be full of mystery, suspense, thrills, and chills.

But for those of us who have seen the film, the play loses some its mystery.

Needless to say, Director Donald Hicken does a superb job of directing what he has to deal with and is supported by a superb cast highlighted once again by the indefatigable Megan Anderson playing the visually impaired leading role of Susan who lost her sight in an automobile accident but does not in any way let that disability get in her way of enjoying life to its fullest living in a basement flat with her husband, Sam (Arturo Tolentino). The couple met in a hospital where Susan was recovering from her accident and Sam was veteran of World War II where he was a photographer and suffered from PTSD.

The premise of the story involves a doll that was slipped inside Sam's duffel bag at a train station by a woman named Lisa who has a plan to double-cross two criminals name Roat (the always wonderful Bruce R. Nelson) and Carlino (Todd Scofield) who know the doll is filled with diamonds (cocaine in the original production).

The play focuses on where is the doll. Roat, Carlino, and an accomplice Mike (Eric M. Messner) are all after the doll. Mike represents himself to Susan as a war-time friend of Sam's and appears at first to assist Susan while her husband is away on business dealing with Roat and Carlino.

Living upstairs from Susan is a young neighbor Gloria (sharing the role are Ui-Seng Francois and Shannon Hutchinson who both attend the Baltimore School for the Arts) who does shopping for Susan and looks out for her. Gloria is the one in possession of the doll, gives it to Susan who must deal with the trio of crooks who all desire it for a reason unbeknownst to Susan.

Susan knows she is in trouble due to her possession of the doll and envisions a confrontation with the villains. She plots methodically how she will defend herself and the doll with the help of Gloria, and, well, you will have to see for yourself how this develops.

As always, there are superb designers at Everyman. Set Designer Daniel Ettinger once again shines with his depiction of the apartment which features an authentic refrigerator and stove from the era, venetian blinds (which pay a pivotal role) which cover the windows and allows those in the apartment to see the outside world. Obviously light plays a huge role in the play and Jay A. Herzog does an amazing job with the lights in the apartment, lighting in the hallway outside the apartment entrance, and shadows through the windows as people walk by. Patrick Calhoun does the sound which is crucial to the play. You hear clearly the steps from outside in the hallway and down the steps in the apartment, when the door locks are in use, when the clock ticks, the sound of rain and "Psycho" like violin music used effectively. He utilizes 9 microphones on the stage. Ben Argenta Kress did the realist costumes for the era.

WUD is certainly more of a surprise for novices to this work but even if you know what's in store, you'll appreciate the production.

I suggest a nice article about the play by the Baltimore Sun's Tim Smith in the Sunday Sun from September 4, 2016.

WAIT UNTIL DARK runs until October 9, 2016. For tickets, call 410-752-2208 or visit www.everymantheatre.org where you can enjoy some videos about the production.

New this season at Everyman is the LB Bakery located on the mezzanine. Thanks to a partnership with the Lord Baltimore Hotel and acclaimed Executive Pastry Chef, Mary Elizabeth Plovanich, patrons will be able to enjoy French pastries before the show, during intermission, and even to take home after the show. I can tell you from firsthand knowledge, you will not be disappointed.

Next at the Everyman is the comedy THE ROOMATE by Jen Silverman and directed by Johanna Grenhut running October 26 to November 27, 2016.

Next up at the "Salon Series", play readings by female playwrights, will be TOP GIRLS BY Caryl Churchill on October 31. Cocktails at 6 p.m., reading at 7 p.m.

Everyman continues its Gift Shop now located on the first floor.

Photo Credit: ClintonBPhotography

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com

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