Danger lurks in the dark

Ocoee Theatre opens ‘Wait Until Dark’

One of the most suspenseful scenes in classic cinema is when Audrey Hepburn, playing a blind woman, flips the light switch to level the playing field between herself and murderous thugs pursuing her in her apartment during “Wait Until Dark.”

Theater patrons searching for chills and thrills this Halloween season won’t want to miss Ocoee Theatre’s stage production of “Wait Until Dark,” opening Saturday, Oct. 19, in Cleveland, Tennessee, and running through Oct. 27.

“Wait Until Dark” originally appeared on Broadway and later became the 1967 thriller with Hepburn. Since then, the script has been updated, making it easier to produce onstage. The updated version maintains the chilling suspense and memorable characters that made the original script so successful.

The play revolves around Susan Hendrix, a blind Greenwich Village housewife. She becomes the target of tenacious con men determined to get their hands on a precious item located in her apartment. When Susan discovers her life is at stake, she uses all her deceptive skills and wit to fend off the villains and survive the night.

Macy Rexroad is cast as Susan Hendrix, the newlywed who lost her sight in a recent automobile accident. Other cast principals are Trevis Orr as Harry Roat, a cruel individual who usually gets what he wants; David Wisnewski as Sam Hendrix, photographer who encourages his wife to cope with her blindness; and Ryan Smith as con man Mike Talman.

Jeff Ellis plays Sgt. Carlino, an ex-cop driven by money and greed; and Anna Kholod is Gloria, a sensitive young person with a troubled family life who helps her blind neighbor. The drama is directed by Jim Veenstra.

Tickets are available on the Ocoee Theatre Facebook page. For more information: 423-2848209

PHOTO BY CANDY TAPPER Macy Rexroad, left, and Trevis Orr in “Wait Until Dark.”