By Katie Flaniken
October is a time for all things scary, and nothing will thrill you quite like Wait Until Dark at Vernal Theatre: LIVE in Vernal, UT.
The stage is set when a small group of criminals find themselves in a stranger’s home, invited there by a mysterious man named Roat. This villain is on the hunt for a doll that carries something very dangerous inside: heroin. The doll has gone missing after it was given to a man named Sam Hendrix, and the three men are currently standing inside Hendrix’s home. Roat wrangles the other two parolees into helping him stage a spectacular con to find the drug mule doll. Huge rewards are promised to come once the doll and the drugs are in Roat’s possession.
The next morning, Sam Hendrix heads out for work, leaving his recently blinded wife Suzy at home. Suzy repeatedly asks for help, proves to be incredibly clever and resilient as these three conmen do all in their power to discover the whereabouts of their precious prize. She turns the tables on these men with intense inventiveness.
This reviewer has always loved a good thriller. I love sitting on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, just glued to the story in front of me, whether it’s a book, a movie, or a play like Wait Until Dark. The atmosphere of a thriller draws me in and hooks me. Wait Until Dark did just that. I was wrapped up in the story from start to finish.
The conmen play their parts wonderfully. Andrew Bentley as Mike Talman dominates the stage with his excellent and vibrant emotions. Though, from the beginning, we know he isn’t trustworthy, his chemistry on stage with McKenna Christiansen’s Suzy Hendrix is spot on. He makes her and the audience believe that he is a loveable friend, with hints of his excitement at succeeding in his con occasionally showing on his face.
Jon Stearmer as Sargeant Carlino is also incredibly believable. Stearmer’s character work for Carlino is great. He shows wonderfully subtle quirks that just bring the character to life. I found he often brought a little comic relief to parts of the show while still showing the darkness in his character.
It is Aaron Wood as the deliciously wicked Henry Roat, Jr. that really gives you goosebumps and shivers. From the moment he appears on stage, you feel an intense distrust and dislike for his character. From the way he carries himself with such confidence, and talks with a deep, smooth droll, he shows that he owns the stage. Demands it, in fact. Wood plays despicable in a way that draws you to him while you simultaneously despise him.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the true star of the show, Christiansen’s Suzy. It is not an easy feat to portray someone with blindness, but Christiansen shines. The way she moves across the stage and interacts with the other characters, it is one of the most raw and real performances I’ve seen onstage. She is able to create chemistry with those onstage with her, from the young, sassy, wonderful teenager Gloria (Audrey LoDosquet), to her loving husband Sam (Joe LoDosquet), and even the conmen that her character has only just met, she easily makes a connection on the stage with each one. This is not easy to do when your character is able to make eye contact, which hers does not, and still Christiansen draws each character in, and the audience right along with her.
On another note, Suzy’s blindness does not affect her sense of style, which was killer in this show set in the 1960’s. I don’t know a single person that can pull off bright red pleated pants. Christiansen can pull off bright red pleated pants.
Stick around for the exciting, remarkably intense second act and final scenes. I’ll say no more. Just trust me on this one.
Daniel Jackson’s set design is incredible. The appliances and props take you right to the 60’s when Wait Until Dark takes place. Mix that with the amazingly detailed lighting design by Nashelle Jackson, and this set will make the hair on your neck stand on end. Every detail is in place. They’ve made a home but also the setting of a truly frightening tale.
I also must give a standing ovation to the direction done by Carrie Chapman. A little backstory: the original director that was slotted for this production of Wait Until Dark had to back out at the last minute. Chapman stepped up to take the director’s seat with no prior experience and with what I believe to be the shortest rehearsal time of any show performed at Vernal Theatre: LIVE. In this short time frame, she has put together a truly unforgettable and exciting show. With the help of her spectacular cast and crew, she amazed me with what she accomplished. I am in awe.
This show is sure to make you jump more than once. It is the perfect show to give you chills and thrills this October. Definitely a Halloween treat!
This show is not one that I would recommend to children younger than 8 years. It does have quite a bit of intense, dramatic, and frightening scenes throughout. I found it delightfully scary, but young viewers might not. Please take that into consideration.
Vernal Theatre: LIVE presents Wait Until Dark by Frederick Knott.
Vernal Theatre: LIVE 40 East Main St. Vernal, UT 84078
October 26-27, 29, November 1-3 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6:30 PM
Tickets: $8-10 (With a $1.00 fee when purchasing at the door)
Contact: 435-219-2987, vernaltheatre@gmail.com
Vernal Theatre: LIVE Facebook Page
Wait Until Dark Facebook Event Page
Great review! Now I have to see it!!