Don't 'Wait Until Dark' to See This Evergreen Playhouse Production

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Three con artists, a blind woman and a lost doll stuffed with heroin — those are the components that comprise the basic premise of The Evergreen Playhouse’s upcoming production, “Wait Until Dark.”

The drama that ensues promises to be an actionpacked thriller, one that each of the eight cast members and the whole crew hope will have you on the edge of your seat. The play opens on April 12, running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until the final show on April 28. Also, there is a pay what you will performance, Thursday, April 18. 

“It’s scary in a classic way, like any classic film: It’s an idea that is frightening. It’s not scary because of gore, it’s scary because of a simple idea,” said Luke Nuetzmann, who plays Mike Talman, a conflicted con artist with a good heart. “If we do this correctly, it’s really creepy.” 

This chilling drama will be the result of roughly 120 hours of rehearsals per cast member, not including the crew and director Norma Rogers. 

“I wanted to direct this play because it’s a fun thriller, and we haven’t done a thriller here in awhile. I think people are going to have fun being scared,” said Rogers. “I think a lot of people like to be scared. It’s like curling up with a good mystery novel.” 

There are quite a few surprise elements that go into creating the thriller vibe, including perfectly timed special effects and a set that makes audience members feel like they’re a part of the action, that they too are as involved as much as any of the characters are. 

“The challenge of the special effects is like nothing I’ve ever done before,” Rogers said. 

Perhaps the most visible role is that of Susy, the blind woman who lives in the apartment that acts as the setting for the thriller. Shannon Harper, the well-versed  actress who plays her, has had her work cut out for her in becoming a blind woman: at one point, she was even blindfolded to force her to open her mind to her other senses and to truly come to understand her environment as a vision-impaired person. 

“”It’s been a challenge, but since I have poor vision I can take my glasses off and actually not be able to focus in reality: It gives me an edge,” said Harper. “It takes a lot of concentration not to focus on things. I think it’s neat, because a good part of the play is actually in the dark. I get to be blind, but the audience is blind sometimes too, which makes it more real for them.” 



One aspect of the play that audiences will love to hate is the fact that seasoned actor Mark Pendleton plays three separate characters, and yet all of them are antagonists in the story.  He has managed to make each of them very different, yet still villainous and, according to Pendleton, “sinister, intelligent, manipulative and calculating.” Pendleton described his roles as being lots of little details that play into one character, and finally one play done on a single set. 

What’s great about this play is that it is not so thrilling that anyone couldn’t enjoy it.

 “It’s a play! You’re supposed to have fun. This is what community theater is all about,” said Nuetzmann. 

Several members of the cast and crew also expressed a deep appreciation for The Evergreen Playhouse, simply for being what it is: a community theater. 

“I love the fact that the whole playhouse is put together by volunteers,” said Harper. “It’s very admirable. This whole thing just runs on volunteers.” 

Even the antagonist and villain agrees that The Evergreen Playhouse is a beautiful thing. 

“I really appreciate Phillip Wickstrom, who started this theater. Without him, this wouldn’t be anything,” said Pendleton. 

Even looking to the future of the theater, the cast and crew remain dedicated to the fact that this is a community theater, and thus is for the enjoyment of the community.

“I’m enjoying this thoroughly. It’s a challenge, and I hope I’m meeting it,” said Rogers. “And I hope the audience likes it. That’s the whole point, isn’t it?”