Long Beach Playhouse - Studio Theatre (Long Beach, CA)
Wait Until Dark is a masterfully constructed thriller about a blind girl, alone in a Greenwich Village apartment, who is stalked by vicious drug smugglers. This tense drama by the author of Dial "M" for Murder moves from one moment of suspense to another, building toward an electrifying finale.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
All dates for this event have expired.
The last event was Saturday July 12, 2008 / 8:00pm. (view all dates)
Check back to this section to see pictures from this event!
Production was not up LBPH usual high standards. The interpretation of a blind girl was way off. Many in the cast did not know their lines well. The only really good acting was done by the 14 yr. old who played Gloria.
The quality of the acting was extremely disappointing. I felt as though I was watching a cast of high school performers. The acting was neither credible nor enjoyable. Based on this performance, it is unlikely I would attend any other plays at Long Beach Playhouse.
I left at intermission.
Top actors everyone. The stagework was excellent. I would recommend it to any one who likes theater.
The play was great and very similar to the movie. A good job all the way around, especially Harry Roat, Jr. Great actor!
Was a heat wave when we went, but the AC inside was wonderful and the theatre intimate. Will definately go again. The only negative was the will call window guy was slower than molasses as he was more concerned with being personable (too much visiting) than getting everyone in before curtain (he meant well - just speed it up).
It was a great story and good actors. The Long Beach Playhouse is a nice venue to see a play. It's quaint and personable & the people who work there are very nice. My mom and I enjoyed it!
Phenomenal acting and a solid story. Very friendly people and a nice, home-run Mexican restaurant across the street for pre-play food. Be careful though... they don't take credit cards at the mexican restaurant. Highly recommend the play
It was an enjoyable night out. At one very exciting bit, I screamed and made everyone jump! That was fun!
Dear Angelenos-
This play was terrible! We walked out at intermission. The plot was simply not engaging. We had a better time on 2nd Street in Long Beach. Believe the play closed last Saturday anyway, good riddence!
A MUST SEE
(CAUTION – SPOILERS)
While the original Broadway cast of Wait Until Dark might not quickly come to mind, who can forget the outstanding cast and performances (Best Actress Oscar nominee Audrey Hepburn, and <should have been Best Supporting Actor nominee> Alan Arkin) in Terence Young’s 1967 screen adaptation? It is the story of the blind girl, Susy Hendrix, three con men, and a child’s doll stuffed with smuggled heroin. It is a brave director who chooses to take on such a legendary piece.
In this case, the brave director is Carl daSilva, and his presentation of Wait Until Dark at the Long Beach Playhouse’s Studio Theatre succeeds in entertaining on many levels. First…the actors: Kate Woodruff as heroine Susy is superb. There will always be the inevitable comparison to Ms. Hepburn, but Ms. Woodruff makes this role her own and is completely believable as the terrorized blind woman who ultimately triumphs over evil. That evil comes specifically in the form of one Harry Roat, Jr., brilliantly played by Anthony B. Cohen in a chilling performance. The beatnik thug portrayed on screen by Alan Arkin is morphed here by Mr. Cohen into a smooth talking Hannibal Lecter-esque character whom this theater patron found both intriguing and, by the end, utterly frightening (see the show and you’ll get what I mean). Other standout performances include Tara Lynne Barr, as Susy’s young neighbor, Gloria, who helps her uncover the truth and best the bad guys; Mike Jensen as Mike Talman, who eventually abandons his con of Susy, perhaps just a bit too late; and Walter DuRant as Sergeant Carlino, the least likely of the three cons to succeed.
Wait Until Dark is a challenging production to stage in that lighting plays a significant part in its success, particularly in the final and most suspenseful scene, which takes place in total and/or near total darkness. Danny Driskol does an excellent job at the lighting helm, and daSilva navigates his actors well through this challenge, the absence of light drawing the audience right along for the ride. Also notable is Jesse GrothOlsen’s sound design, and Donna Fritsche’s 60s era costumes.
Overall, this is an excellent production with a great cast in a fun venue for a reasonable price. What more could you ask for?
this was a wonderful play. It was unpredictable and we both enjoyed it throughout. A very inexpensive pleasure!
We couldn't believe how professional the acting was at this local theatre.
The set was fantastice. All of the actors,including the young girl were all outstanding. A special bravo to the actress who played Susy. She was very believable in the part
Acting was great. We really enjoyed the play. Quite thrilling.
We had good seats and enjoyed the play very much.
MY NIECE AND I LOVED IT THIS IS OUR 2ND TIME AT LONG BEACH PLAY HOUSE AND WE WILL GO BACK AGAIN
Great show.
The actors were committed to their parts - staging and "lighting" as well as "unlighting" were superb!
I enjoyed the movie and I somewhat enjoyed the play. It was okay. A nice outing for a Sunday afternoon. Parking was a hassle as two plays were playing at the same time.
The Long Beach Playhouse offers a comfortable, air-conditioned setting for enjoying live entertainment. The Studio Theatre features 98-seats and a proscenium stage. Enjoy refreshments and musical entertainment before curtain and during intermissions, as well as art and sculpture exhibits in the Gallery.
Before the unforgettable film version starring Audrey Hepburn, this electrifying thriller was a hit on Broadway and London's West End. The suspense begins in the opening scene, as three sinister con men embark on a mission to find a very valuable doll in a dark Greenwich Village apartment. But they get more than they bargain for when the blind Susy Hendrix returns home and begins to suspect all is not as it seems. The deadly cat-and-mouse game builds to a heart-pounding "lights out" climax sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
By Frederick Knott (Dial "M" for Murder)
Directed by Carl daSilva
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. © 2008 Goldstar Events, Inc.