By Venus Zarris

Court Theater has managed to do the, previously assumed, impossible. For some time now my partner and I have had an ongoing debate over whether or not live theater can be truly frightening. Given the nature of suspending disbelief while viewing actors on a stage, she has contended that it cannot be done while I have contended that anything is possible. (see feature story FEAR ON STAGE - Chicago Stage Review)

Well, the tides have turned. When leaving Court’s powerfully rendered production of Wait Until Dark she wholeheartedly declared, “They did it! I was really scared!”

This engaging noir tells a complex tale of drug dealers trying to con a delivery device, in the way of a doll, out of an unsuspecting woman. Sam agrees to deliver a doll for a stranger at an airport. His wife, Susy, is home alone when the bad guys attempt to retrieve the drug filled toy by means of an elaborate ruse. The dangerous characters are made more sinister by the fact that Susy is blind and thereby more vulnerable to the strangers in her midst.

But her visual deficit makes her more observant of other indicators of their subterfuge and when she is finally convinced of their deception the scenes becomes brutally violent.

Director Ron OJ Parson constructs an outstanding thriller. This is a complicated script to deliver as it is filled with subtle information that is vital to the story’s success. Miss one piece and the puzzle is ruined but Parson creates a clear picture with a tight dramatic build. As well as having a detailed script, Wait Until Dark relies on a technically detailed realization. Light, sound and staging are critical to the success of the production and the design team if flawless.

Jack Magaw’s gorgeously detailed set design draws us in before the actors take their places. Marc Stubblefield’s lighting design maneuvers the vital visuals with exacting effect and sound designers Josh Horvath and Ray Nardelli masterfully deliver the audio cues while adding beautifully evocative incidental music.

The rendering of a darkroom in the couple’s apartment is a particularly effective and peripherally exiting visual. It is an attractively detailed homage to a soon-to-be lost art.

But the real proof is in the acting and Parson’s cast is mostly right on target. This is a strong ensemble with exceptional work delivered by Aaron Todd Douglas, Norm Boucher and John Hoogenakker as the conniving criminals. Gloria, alternately played by Erin and Molly Hernandez, steal the show. She is both precocious and endearing and the Hernandez girls (I can’t tell you which one was playing the part on opening night because they’re twins) create a hysterically lovable addition to the show.

Emjoy Gavino’s performance of Susy is the production’s only shortcoming. She creates a character that conveys all of the right information but fails to exist below the surface. Her portrayal’s lack of believable vulnerability detracts from the full potential of suspense. Gavino is charming in the role but not completely convincing.

Still, this magnificently crafted and extremely entertaining suspense story builds up to an edge-of-your seat conclusion and delivers at least one or two good jolts along the way.

3 STARS

(”Wait Until Dark” runs through April 5 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Avenue. 773-753-4472.)

Court Theatre - Professional Theatre at the University of Chicago

Wait Until Dark production photos by Michael Brosilow

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