By LILY TINOCO | Reporter
Theatre Palisades will reopen its doors to theatergoers on Friday, August 27, with the debut of “Wait Until Dark” at Pierson Playhouse—which has been in a holding pattern since early 2020.
“The hunter or the hunted, who is the prey?” a synopsis of the show from Theatre Palisades read. “A classic American play about a woman in peril and tables that are turned. A blind housewife confronts a trio of nefarious men in search of a doll she does not know she has—its contents being a fortune in illicit goods. A suspenseful battle of wits leads to a confrontation between the lady and the devil, culminating in a thrilling climax.”
The Palisades iteration of the show is directed by Tony Torrisi, and produced by Martha Hunter and Sherman Wayne. Hunter said she and Wayne have produced many shows together, and this show will be her 45th.
Hunter added everybody is excited to open the theater again, especially the actors for “Wait Until Dark,” who spent months rehearsing with Torrisi over Zoom.
“It’s been a long 18 months without any shows,” she said to the Palisadian-Post. “[They] are so happy that they are back on the stage.”
Hunter said for those who love thrills and mysteries, “Wait Until Dark” fits the bill.
“The play is a thriller about a blind woman who has to fend off a sinister con-man and two ex-convicts,” she explained. “It was first a play written by Frederick Knott, which opened on Broadway in 1966, it has had many revivals since then. It is probably best known as a film starring Audrey Hepburn in 1967. It has a lot of twists and turns, which will keep the audience on the edge of their seats. It has been a tricky play to produce because of many special effects and lighting effects.”
The cast features Vanessa White (Susy Hendrix), Manfred Hofer (Harry Roat Jr.), Brett Chapin (Michael Talman), Josh Paris (Sgt. Carlino), Michael Wayne Osborn (Sam Hendrix) and Amanda Tugangui (Gloria, the Hendrix’s 12-year-old neighbor).
Recent Palisades Charter High School alumni Eli Nagle will be assisting Palisadian Andy Frew with the lights and sound. Recent Calvary Christian School alumni Clayton Collins will run lights and sound on Sundays.
Performances will run through Sunday, October 3, and take place Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., as well as Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $22 for adults; $20 for seniors and students.
Hunter said Palisadians can also keep an eye out for Theatre Palisades’ next show “Comedy of Tenors” by Ken Ludwig, which Wayne will be directing. The show is slated to open Friday, November 5.
For tickets or more information, visit theatrepalisades.com.
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