The Skill of the Thrill: Behind the Scenes of Wait Until Dark at the Ice House Theater

Jan 31, 2024 | 2024 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze, Theatre

by Phae Lockwood

The Visalia Players at the Ice House Theater present the timeless and suspenseful play, Wait Until Dark. Directed by Central Valley theater favorite, Joseph Ham, and featuring an outstanding cast, including Ice House veterans Christa Reiber as Susy and Alex Quezada as Roat, this production promises to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Wait Until Dark, written by Frederick Knott, unfolds a gripping tale centered around Susy Hendrix, a blind woman unwittingly entangled in a dangerous game of deception. Possessing a doll filled with illicit drugs, Susy becomes the target of a group of criminals led by the cunning Roat. As the mystery unravels, Susy’s lack of sight becomes both her vulnerability and strength, exploring themes of trust, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. With an intense atmosphere and clever twists, the play guarantees an unforgettable experience.

I had the opportunity to catch up with director Joseph Ham, who shared his insights into the production. Having played the role of Mike in Wait Until Dark twice in the past decade, Ham brings a unique perspective to the director’s chair, and it is a testament to the quality of the piece itself that Ham still hadn’t had his fill.

“The mystery is already known by the audience in the first couple of minutes,” he revealed. “It’s about watching our main character unravel it herself. Combine all that, and it’s like, I want to take elements from the movie, which I also love, and from the shows I’ve been in before, and kind of Frankenstein them in a way! It’s a classic thriller, Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin… It’s a fun show to sink your teeth into, particularly because it’s one fixed location the entire time.”

Drawing inspiration from both previous productions and the iconic film adaptation starring Audrey Hepburn and Alan Arkin, Ham aims to create a thrilling experience for the audience. He even hinted at Easter eggs in the set design as a nod to the film, so keep your eyes peeled!

When I asked him what his favorite part of directing this particular production has been, he shared:

Cast of “Wait Until Dark”

“The cast. Specifically because – like I’m sure many people, when they go into directing any production or even seeing it, sometimes they have an idea in their heads of how certain things are supposed to look, how certain characters are meant to be played. For me, it was like the movie; [Hepburn’s and Arkin’s] portrayals of Susy and Roat are so iconic for fans of Wait Until Dark. But seeing both Christa (Reiber) and Alex (Quezada) bring their own interpretation to it…I’ve had moments of, ‘that wasn’t how I saw it, but I like that even better.’ Opens your mind, breaks you out of the mold.”

I was also fortunate enough to sit down with the extraordinarily talented Christa Reiber, and I was curious how she and the rest of the ensemble collaborated to maintain the tension and suspense for which the play is famous.

“A lot of the focus is varying the pace of the dialogue. So there are scenes where the dialogue is snappy like Aaron Sorkin-West Wing, and then areas where it slows way down, and those moments of contrast really add to the suspense.”

Reiber emphasized the collaborative efforts in scenes involving the menacing character of Roat.

“The movement and body language of the characters…Alex is very calm, and very casual and nonchalant. And Mike, his character is very careful not to let people see his face. And Roat just doesn’t care. And that adds to the whole menacing factor of his character.”

On what inspired Reiber to take on the role of Susy:

“Wait Until Dark was one of the first plays I saw live. I was so impressed. The set was amazing, the acting was spot on, and it was such a well-crafted, suspenseful, have-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat story. I loved it. What I loved the most about it is the way that Susy is able to use her disability as an advantage. She clearly has a lot of resilience, and she’s sassy, and she and Sam have this great, playful relationship. She’s not a timid little mouse at all. Susy lost her vision in an automobile accident that resulted in a fire. That’s why she’s so terrified when she smells smoke. And so it shows a lot of bravery on her part at the very end, when…well, come see the show and you’ll find out.”

So mark your calendars, grab a friend, and steel your nerves, because it’s time to immerse yourself in the captivating world of Wait Until Dark at the Ice House Theater. I guarantee it will leave you talking long after the final curtain call. See you there!

As a special treat for KRL readers, the Ice House Theater is offering a 2-for-1 ticket deal for Wait Until Dark. Use the code “Wait2for1” when purchasing tickets at visaliaicehouse.com.

Watch for our review of Wait Until Dark next week!

If you love local theatre, be sure to check out Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast, which features mysteries read by local actors. You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and also on podbean.

Check out more theatre reviews & other local entertainment articles in our Arts & Entertainment section. You can also find more theatre coming up on KRL’s Local Theatre event page.