College of Fine Arts and Design

Sept. 28, 2010

The University of Central Oklahoma's Department of Theatre Arts will present the mystery thriller "Wait Until Dark" at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 7-9 and at 2 p.m., Oct. 10 in Mitchell Hall Theater.

"Wait Until Dark" is about a blind Greenwich Village housewife Susy Hendrix, who unwittingly becomes the target of three con men. The con men are searching for the drugs sewn inside a doll that her newlywed husband transported across the
Canadian border into the United States as a favor to a woman who has since been murdered.

"We hadn't done a mystery or thriller in a long time and the current students needed to experience this genre," said Don Bristow, director and Central theatre arts professor.
 
Students both on stage and behind the scenes have key roles in building the play's mystery.  The show moves from one moment of suspense to another as it builds toward an electrifying final scene where lighting plays a role that is almost equal to the characters and actors.

"The trick is to recreate the interior lighting of an apartment, while still allowing for visibility of the actors and reinforcing the mood and feel of the play. This is not only the creative, but also the challenging aspect of this show," said Angela Marks, Central's associate professor of lighting.

"Wait Until Dark" was a Broadway hit in 1966 and featured actress Lee Remick, best known for her leading role in the horror film "The Omen," who went on to earn a Tony Award nomination for her portrayal of the blind lead "Susy."

In 1967, it also became a silver screen success with Audrey Hepburn in the leading role, resulting in best actress nominations for both the Academy and Golden Globe Award.

This play contains mature themes and, thus, is not recommended for children.
Ticket prices are $14 for adults, $10 for seniors, non-UCO students and UCO faculty & staff and $4 for UCO students with ID.  To reserve tickets, call the Mitchell Hall Theater box office at (405) 974-3375.

For a complete schedule of College of Fine Arts and Design's performances and exhibits, visit www.uco.edu/cfad/events.