Theatre Three's "Wait Until Dark" is a Spine-Chilling Thriller

Christine Boehm's emotionally driven direction was apparent from the moment the house lights dimmed, and the cat-and-mouse onstage action began. The tight-knit ensemble brought the compelling characters in "Wait Until Dark" to life, while the high-stakes plot, with well-timed twists and turns and a few well-placed red herrings, kept the audience on the edge of their seats right up to the blockbuster ending.

"Wait Until Dark" is a suspense-filled 1966 Broadway drama by the English playwright Frederick Knott, a master of cunning plot devices. Lee Remick starred in that production and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her captivating portrayal of Susy Hendrix. Knott's version took place in the 1960s; however, Theatre Three's masterful production features Jeffrey Hatcher's gripping 2013 adaptation, set in 1944.

This two-act play revolves around Susan Hendrix, a recently married woman who lost her vision in a car accident 18 months before the play's action begins. Susan is still navigating a sightless world when three con men, anxious to find a mysterious music-playing doll, wangle their way into her life. Trapped in her basement apartment, she draws on her newly acquired intuitive skills and amplified senses to outwit the criminals.

When it comes to "Wait Until Dark," most people think of the 1967 movie starring Alan Arkin, Richard Crenna, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Jack Weston, Julie Herrod, and Audrey Hepburn. Hepburn received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her stellar performance as Susy Hendrix.

In Theatre Three's production, Jessica Mae Murphy was perfectly cast as Susan Hendrix. She fully possesses the brains, beauty, and talent to step into the shoes of the iconic Audrey Hepburn while making this demanding role uniquely her own. Murphy delivered a believable and likable portrayal of Susan, a strong-willed, determined, visually impaired woman striving to live her best life.

Eric J. Hughes was outstanding as Sam Hendrix, Susan's photographer husband, who has PTSD. The electrifying onstage chemistry between Murphy and Hughes was one of the show's high points.

Adriana Mia Como gave a memorable performance as Gloria, Susan's mischievous young neighbor. Como played this complicated, troubled, intelligent tween with the right blend of sometimes spoiled, often sassy, but mostly childlike vulnerability.

The unholy trinity of con men is the evil engine that drives this play forward. Scott Joseph Butler's intense facial expressions and body language sent chills up my spine with his spot-on depiction of Harry Roat, Jr., the psychopathic criminal mastermind determined to fight to the death to get what he wants.

David DiMarzo gave a standout performance as Mike Talman, a smooth-operating petty crook who manipulates Susan by pretending to be a Marine Lieutenant who served in Italy with her husband. Susan and Mike's relationship is complicated. DiMarzo effectively communicates the inner conflict he feels about deceiving Susan with the exacting delivery of his lines and through his nuanced facial expressions.

Richard O'Sullivan shines as the bogus Police Sergeant Carlino, a bearish man in a heavy overcoat who is Roat's half-witted henchman. When Sgt. Carlino isn't scaring the hell out of the audience, his onstage antics provide some much-needed comedic relief.

Randall Parsons's realistic Greenwich Village brownstone basement apartment, Indigo Shea's awe-inspiring lighting design, metaphorically juxtaposing darkness and light, Tim Haggerty's fight-or-flight-triggering sound design, and Ronald Green III's period costumes contributed greatly to this production's overall success. A special shoutout goes to Heather Legnosky, Fight Choreographer, for her perfectly timed, visually exciting, and realistic-looking fight sequences.

Theatre Three's terrifyingly terrific production of "Wait Until Dark" proves why this theatrical gem continues to fascinate audiences. If you're stumped about what to give the moms in your life for Mother's Day, gift them with tickets to this tension-filled thriller, which runs through May 11, 2025. To purchase tickets, please call the box office at 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Content Warning: This show contains adult situations and may not be appropriate for all audiences.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of "Grant Me a Higher Love," "Why Good People Can't Leave Bad Relationships," and "Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic." Her full-length Music Drama, "Beethoven, The Man, The Myth, The Music," is published by Next Stage Press. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.

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