Time for Mentor Theatre to present black box show

Mentor Theatre performs its fall show and spring musical on the massive Mentor Schools Fine Arts Center stage.

This weekend, the audience will be on it as well.

Mentor Theatre proudly presents its annual Playmaker Series this weekend with its winter play. This year, the selection is “Wait Until Dark” as part of their 100th anniversary season of suspense.

This production, as always, is directed by John Greene. The production will run Feb. 1-3 at 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center located at 6477 Center St. in Mentor.

“Wait Until Dark,” written by Frederick Knott, premiered on Broadway in 1966 and was later adapted into a movie starring Audrey Hepburn. She earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance.

The story follows a blind woman, Susy Hendrix, who is unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse when she becomes the target of three con men who are looking for a valuable item that they believe is in her possession. With the help of a young girl and her husband, Susy must use all of her wits and senses to outsmart the criminals and survive.

“The cast and crew of ‘Wait Until Dark’ have worked hard to bring this suspenseful tale to life with an incredible level of detail and authenticity,” Greene writes. “The production features a set design, costumes, and lighting that all contribute to creating an immersive experience for the audience.”

All tickets for “Wait Until Dark” are $10 and are limited to 130 per performance due to the black box seating. Patrons are encouraged to purchase them in advance at mentortheatre.ludus.com before they sell out.

“It is no secret that I have always enjoyed mystery and suspense novels, movies, and plays,” Greene tells me. “‘Wait Until Dark’ is a classic thriller that routinely scares audiences. It proves that sometimes when you can’t see something, it makes it more intense.”

One of the signature elements of the show is the darkness implied in the title. That makes this show unique and difficult to stage.

“The biggest challenge is going to be the actors moving around quickly in complete darkness,” Greene confirms. “Safety is our first priority and if there is a chance of injury, we may have the lighting adjusted to assist them.”

It’s a thriller, but they don’t want it to be THAT thrilling. Catch them — in the dark — this weekend.

Curtain 440

Curtain 440, the local theater company owned by Angela Miloro-Hansen of Chardon, will celebrate its fifth anniversary with an open house at the Heritage House on Chardon Square this weekend.

All are invited Feb. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. to enjoy a “Mean Girls” preview — their next musical performance — and enjoy refreshments, free raffles, summer workshop registration, and a meet-andgreet with the instructors.

More information on Curtain 440 can be found on its website, www.curtain440.com.

Curtain 440 has been kind of a traveling troupe during their existence, performing at Berkshire High School old and new, Celebration Lutheran Church, Andrews Osborne Academy, Century Village, First United Methodist Church, and Cardinal High School among others.

Currently they are looking for a home base. They tried unsuccessfully for two years to coordinate on the old Newbury High School before it eventually was razed, but now they are hoping the Chardon City Council may choose them as a manager of the now vacant movie theater on Chardon Square. It was at one time the longtime home for the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild, the organization where Miloro-Hansen spent a good deal of time as a young thespian herself.

“Mean Girls” will perform soon at Berkshire High School, and “A Little Princess” is scheduled later at First United Methodist Church in Middlefield. There will also be upcoming classes at Celebration Lutheran in Chardon.

Learn about this and more on their open house, and congratulations to Curtain 440 on their fifth anniversary.

Coming soon

• “The Crucible” & “Moana, Jr.” at Andrews Osborne School

• “Cats” at the Fine Arts Association

• “Beauty and the Beast” at Harvey High School

Young Thespians is a column focusing on youth theater. Have a story idea or production you would like to see listed? E-mail stevecouch@windstream.net or post them on our “Young Thespians” Facebook group page so we can get you on our calendar!