Quote of the Day: How would you like to do something difficult and terribly dangerous? Susy Hendrix in Wait Until Dark, a deep, dark thriller by Frederick Knott, produced by Dark & Stormy Productions, playing at the Gremlin Theatre through Sept. 13, 2026. 

Wait Until Dark is one of my favorite plays. It’s dark and atmospheric with a great set-up, tight script, and superb acting. It relies heavily on lighting and sound cues as the main character Susy is blind. The thugs who enter her apartment think they can easily pull one over on her, but she uses her resources, and enhanced other senses, to create the advantage for herself and the setting becomes increasingly darker. Set design by Bobbie Smith. Lighting design by Shannon Elliott, and Sound design by Aaron Newman. Benjamin McGovern directs this suspenseful play in a way that keeps the audience leaning in, wondering what will happen, and building the tension. It was really fun to watch! Also, shout out to Annie Enneking as Fight Choreographer! 

Paul LaNave as Talman in Wait Until Dark, a Dark & Stormy production, playing at the Gremlin Theatre, thru 9/13/26. Photo: Alyssa Kristine

Let’s start with the thugs. In the opening scene, we meet Mike Talman (Paul LaNave) and “Sgt. Carlino” (Bob Malos). They are scouring the basement apartment of Sam & Suzy Hendrix. They’re searching for a doll that Sam (Josh Jabas) was given by “Lisa” on a recent trip. He had instructions to deliver it to a “sick, little girl” at the hospital. The doll is clearly more than just a doll and what’s inside it is much more valuable to the thugs. They can’t find the doll and start to leave the apartment just as Harry Roat, Jr. walks in (now played by Paul de Cordova, taking over the role from Luverne Seifert). He makes them an offer they can’t refuse, as they plot to get Susy to show them where the doll is hidden. 

Sara Marsh as Susy and Bob Malos as Sgt. Carlino in Wait Until Dark, a Dark & Stormy production, playing at the Gremlin Theatre, thru 9/13/26. Photo: Alyssa Kristine

Susy enters just as the thugs are leaving. They stand perfectly still, signaling to each other not to make a sound. Susy is blind, so they figure she won’t know that they’re there. Of course, she can hear their breathing, the squeak of their shoes, the shuffling around of their clothes as they try to stealthily move around, get to the door and leave. She calls out, “Gloria,” thinking that the teenage girl who lives above her has come down to their apartment, and maybe she was trying to trick her, or help her. But, Gloria is not the person standing just feet in front of her. Sara Marsh plays Susy beautifully. She walks with her hands out, cocks her head to one side as she hears noises, feels for objects that she needs, like the phone, the table, sugar cubes, light switches. And, she does a great job with her facial expressions as she starts to catch on to what is happening. Madelyn Tax is great as the somewhat helpful, sometimes not, teenage girl who pops in sometimes to help Susy or do her shopping. 

Paul de Cordova as Harry Roat, Jr. in Wait Until Dark, a Dark & Stormy production, playing at the Gremlin Theatre, thru 9/13/26. Photo: Alyssa Kristine

I think what makes me love this play so much is the main character Susy. The thugs think she will be easy to manipulate because she’s blind, and a woman, and they are clever criminals. Afterall, they usually get the goods, and at least one of them is not hesitant about killing someone who gets in his way. But, Susy uses her wits, and heightened senses, to gain the advantage over these thugs, and she does it in a brilliant way, by making her apartment pitch black, giving her the advantage.

Wait Until Dark, a Dark & Stormy production, playing at the Gremlin Theatre, thru 9/13/26. Photo: Alyssa Kristine

The cast and crew do an excellent job of creating tension in this play through their superb acting, as well as the crucial elements of light and sound. The play is set up so well, establishing the conflict and heightening the tension as they go. The audience sat riveted to the stage. I think we were all extra quiet, barely breathing, by the end.

You can see Dark & Stormy’s excellent production of this suspenseful play Wait Until Dark at the Gremlin Theatre in St. Paul, MN through Sept. 13, 2026. I recommend sitting in the center section of the theater or in the one closest to the entrance door as they do use the stage right section as the exit to a hallway to a bedroom.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: What are some of your favorite spooky season shows? Which ones create that mysterious, dark atmosphere?