Category Archives: Mainstage Performance
MAD Corner: The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940
Sixty-Two Amazing Years. Wow! Since its very modest beginnings in 1957, WCT has produced more than 500 shows and continues its long-standing tradition as Waukesha’s first choice for quality live entertainment. According to the American Association of Community Theatres, there are over 7,000 community theatres in the nation, and only 100 of them are on record of having survived for 60 years or more, so WCT is in a very elite group of theatres.
I can’t believe I am starting my sixteenth season with the Waukesha Civic Theatre. My, how time flies when you’re having fun! It has been a pleasure and an honor to work in this beautiful facility for this incredible organization and with this amazing community, and I look forward to many more seasons of high quality live entertainment.
We are kicking off our 62nd season with a comic mystery, combining two genres that our audiences and our actors love to love. They’re fun to watch, they’re fun to be in, and they’re fun to direct. And The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940 fits the bill. Sit back, relax, and let us stimulate your cerebellum and tickle your funny bone at the same time. Have fun!
See you at the Theatre!
John Cramer
Managing Artistic Director
Director’s Note: The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940
If you like mysteries, you are probably fond of sifting through red herrings (“clues” that are planted just to mislead). If so, The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940 is the show for you. The red herrings begin even with the title. (Did you think you were going to see a musical? Red Herring!). Although there are a few catchy numbers, this show is not a musical at all. Instead, the concept of a trying out a new musical is a red herring for the actor-characters who believe they are auditioning for the production. And that’s just the beginning!
The clues—real and not so real—in this show will keep you guessing. Are there actual police present? How many? Are they trying to catch “The Stage Door Slasher” or a Nazi saboteur—or
both? Is Eddie really a (very struggling) comedian or a fledgling detective? Is Elsa a slightly ditzy hostess or a murderer on the loose? Is there one Helsa—or two—or three? And, in the midst of the murderous mayhem, is there romance in the air? In another two hours, you’ll know all the answers.
Thanks to the cast for hard work, good humor, and willingness to take chances. Special appreciation to the non-applauded production staff: Scott P. and Jeff for our secretive set, Sharon and Ellen for classy costumes, Scott F. and Keith for audible and electric effects, Matt for his creative compositions, Christopher for our frantic fights, Meghan for deft dialects, and Katie for her magnificent managing. A theatrical production does, indeed, take a village.
It’s a mystery. It’s a comedy (please do laugh!). And it’s just meant to be fun. So, stay awake and sift through those red herrings, but do relax and enjoy!
Thanks for supporting the arts!
Carol Dolphin 🐬
Director
Cramer’s Corner: Here We Go … Our 62nd Mainstage Season Is Underway!
Our first Mainstage show of our historic 62nd season opens on Friday, September 14 and runs through the end of the month. The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940 is a clever, funny mystery. It is NOT a musical, but it IS a comedy.
Our third PIX Flix film of the season is Singin’ In The Rain on Monday, September 17 at 6:30 pm. This film came in at the number one spot in our PIX Flix survey, so don’t delay…get your tickets NOW! This classic musical stars Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Cyd Charisse, and more! All PIX Flix tickets are $5.00, or groups of ten or more for $4.00 each. And of course we have concessions available, including soda, water, beer, wine, cookies, beef sticks, and POPCORN from Pop’s Kettle Corn!
Our Academy at Civic Theatre fall session will start September 24th. Registration is open for all our great theatre arts education offerings through June 2019.
Our current featured artist in the Waukesha State Bank Art Gallery is Carolyn Larkin through October 9.
We still have room on our bus to see Dear Evan Hansen in Chicago on February 27, 2019. If you are interested and want more information about either of these trips, let me know and I can send you the details.
Are you interested in helping WCT make decisions about everything we do? Join A Committee and get involved. We have lots of great committees to choose from: Art Gallery, Diversity, Education and Outreach, Finance and Facility, Fund Development, Fundraising Events (Gala), Governance, Marketing, and Play Advisory.
Our 62nd Season subscription packages, individual tickets, and group sales are all on sale now. Join us for all of our Mainstage shows, Random Acts Of Entertainment, Education & Outreach shows, PIX Flix Films, and Fundraising Events.
Our Mainstage Season includes:
The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940
(Directed By Carol Dolphin)
Billy Elliot: The Musical
(Directed By Mark E. Schuster)
Candy Cane Tales And Holiday Carols
(Directed By John Cramer and Kelly Goeller)
The Underpants
(Directed By Phil Stepanski)
Thoroughly Modern Millie
(Directed By Jim Padovano)
The Giver
(Directed By Katie Lynne Krueger)
But Why Bump Off Barnaby?
(Directed By David Kaye)
Our Random Acts Of Entertainment, Education And Outreach shows, and Fundraising Events include:
DISABILITY: The Evolution
Waukesha Reads
You’ve Got A Friend
An Evening Of Holiday Tales With John McGivern
Joel Kopischke’s I Got Yule, Babe
Comicality
A.C.T. Combat Boot Camp
Waukesha STEM Academy’s Fame JR.
A.C.T. Live!
My Funny Valentine
The Wizard Of Oz Unplugged
The Shamrock Shindig (A Gaelic Gala)
Our Favorite Things
Miscast
A.C.T. June Summer Showcase
Our PIX Flix Film Series includes:
Singin’ In The Rain
Ghostbusters
North By Northwest
Muppet Christmas Carol
To Kill A Mockingbird
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
The Sting
Field Of Dreams
Camelot
Grease
And don’t forget about all the ways to save on quality, live entertainment. WCT’s Ticket Promotions can’t be beat!
Mainstage Season Ticket – Save 33%
Flex Pass Membership – Save 22%
Subscriber Rate – Save 22 to 31%
Group Rate (Ten Or More Tickets) – Save 22 to 31%
Educational Group Rate (Ten Or More Tickets) – Save 31 to 63%
Senior (60+) / Military Rate – Save 11 to 15%
Teen Rate – Save 15 to 33%
Child Rate – Save 31 to 44%
Terrific Tickets – Save 50%
Pay What You Can – You Name Your Savings
All subscribers also receive the Subscriber Benefits Card with discounts at 17 Downtown Waukesha restaurants. And your ticket stub can save you money too! Please consider visiting our Community Partners: People’s Park & Plowshare Fair Trade Marketplace!
Thank you to all of the generous donors that have supported us every season. If you would like to donate, you can choose from any number of ways you could help us not only maintain, but thrive, as Waukesha’s Cultural Cornerstone.
Please Consider Giving…
* A gift to our Operating Fund
* A matching gift through local sponsoring business employers
* A gift that will last a lifetime through your Will or Estate Planning to our Curtain Call Club
* A gift by donation to CARS
* A gift by shopping through Amazon Smile
* A gift by purchasing something on our Amazon Wish List
* Choose WCT as your Thrivent Choice charitable organization
* Become a Sponsor of outstanding performances and educational programs
On a personal note, my daughter Elena has started her junior year at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, and my son Jude has started his senior year at Waukesha South High School. I’ll keep you informed if they get cast in any shows throughout the year. And Doug Jarecki and I are going to be performing Doug’s show ‘Twas The Month Before Christmas at Vogel Hall November 28-December 2.
See you at the theatre!
John Cramer
Managing Artistic Director
jcramer@waukeshacivictheatre.org
262-547-4911 ext. 113 office
Cramer’s Corner: He’s A What? He’s A What? He’s A Music Man!
We have four more performances of our summer A.C.T. production, The Music Man JR., August 3-5. Click here for more information or to order tickets.
Our A.C.T. August Summer Showcase starts on Monday, August 6, and we still have room for more students. Click here for more information or to register. And don’t miss the showcase performances on Saturday, August 18, at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm.
Our second PIX Flix film of the season is Mary Poppins on Monday, August 13 at 6:30 pm. Join us for this whimsical classic musical starring Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynnis Johns, and more! All PIX Flix tickets are $5.00, or groups of ten or more for $4.00 each. And of course we have concessions available, including soda, water, beer, wine, cookies, beef sticks, and POPCORN from Pop’s Kettle Corn! Click here to buy tickets.
Our A.C.T. Lights! Camera! Action! class will be held August 20-24, and our fall session will start September 24th. Click here for information on all of our great theatre arts education offerings.
Our current featured artist in the Waukesha State Bank Art Gallery is Vanessa Johanning through August 27.
We still have room on our bus to see Dear Evan Hansen in Chicago on February 27, 2019. If you are interested and want more information about either of these trips, let me know and I can send you the details.
Are you interested in helping WCT make decisions about everything we do? Join A Committee and get involved. We have lots of great committees to choose from: Education and Outreach, Finance and Facility, Fund Development, Fundraising Events (Gala), Governance, and Marketing.
Our 62nd Season season tickets, individual tickets, and group sales are all on sale now. Join us for all of our Mainstage shows, Random Acts Of Entertainment, Education & Outreach shows, PIX Flix Films, and Fundraising Events.
Our Mainstage Season includes:
The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940
(Directed By Carol Dolphin)
Billy Elliot: The Musical
(Directed By Mark E. Schuster)
Candy Cane Tales And Holiday Carols
(Directed By John Cramer and Kelly Goeller)
The Underpants
(Directed By Phil Stepanski)
Thoroughly Modern Millie
(Directed By Jim Padovano)
The Giver
(Directed By Katie Lynne Krueger)
But Why Bump Off Barnaby?
(Directed By David Kaye)
Our Random Acts Of Entertainment, Education And Outreach shows, and Fundraising Events include:
A.C.T. August Summer Showcase
disABILITY: The Evolution
Waukesha Reads
You’ve Got A Friend
An Evening Of Holiday Tales With John McGivern
Joel Kopischke’s I Got Yule, Babe
Comicality
A.C.T. Combat Boot Camp
Waukesha STEM Academy’s Fame JR.
A.C.T. Live!
My Funny Valentine
The Wizard Of Oz Unplugged
The Shamrock Shindig (A Gaelic Gala)
Our Favorite Things
Miscast
A.C.T. June Summer Showcase
Our PIX Flix Film series includes:
Mary Poppins
Singin’ In The Rain
Ghostbusters
North By Northwest
Muppet Christmas Carol
To Kill A Mockingbird
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
The Sting
Field Of Dreams
Camelot
Grease
And don’t forget about all the ways to save on quality, live entertainment. WCT’s Ticket Promotions can’t be beat!
Mainstage Season Ticket – Save 33%
Flex Pass Membership – Save 22%
Subscriber Rate – Save 22 to 31%
Group Rate (Ten Or More Tickets) – Save 22 to 31%
Educational Group Rate (Ten Or More Tickets) – Save 31 to 63%
Senior (60+) / Military Rate – Save 11 to 15%
Teen Rate – Save 15 to 33%
Child Rate – Save 31 to 44%
Terrific Tickets – Save 50%
Pay What You Can – You Name Your Savings
All subscribers also receive the Subscriber Benefits Card with discounts at 17 downtown Waukesha restaurants. And your ticket stub can save you money too!
Thank you to all of the generous donors that have supported us every season. If you would like to donate, you can choose from any number of ways you could help us not only maintain, but thrive, as Waukesha’s Cultural Cornerstone.
Please Consider Giving …
* A gift to our Operating Fund
* A matching gift through local sponsoring business employers
* A gift that will last a lifetime through your Will or Estate Planning to our Curtain Call Club
* A gift by donation to CARS
* A gift by shopping through Amazon Smile
* A gift by purchasing something on our Amazon Wish List
* Choose WCT as your Thrivent Choice charitable organization
* Become a Sponsor of outstanding performances and educational programs
I’ll see you at the Theatre!
John Cramer
Managing Artistic Director
Cramer’s Corner: WCT’s 62nd Season Kicks Off With Some HOT ENTERTAINMENT!
Our first PIX Flix film of the season is Cat On A Hot Tin Roof on Monday, July 9 at 6:30 pm. Join us for this Tennessee Williams classic starring Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Burl Ives, Jack Carson, Madeleine Sherwood, Judith Anderson, and more! All PIX Flix tickets are $5.00, or groups of ten or more for $4.00 each. And of course we have concessions available, including soda, water, beer, wine, cookies, beef sticks, and POPCORN from Pop’s Kettle Corn!
Our summer theatre arts education program has a fantastic performance to look forward to. The Music Man JR. will perform July 27-August 5.
I am also offering beginner-to-intermediate Tap Dance Classes over the summer. We have already started, but have 13 more 75-minute sessions from July 2 through August 21. You can pay as you go, one class at a time, or pre-pay for five or ten sessions. If you have questions, please let me know!
Our current featured artist in the Waukesha State Bank Art Gallery is Vanessa Johanning through August 27.
We still have room in our New York City Theatre Adventure October 11-14, 2018, but you need to book it NOW. The deadline has been extended to July 13. We also still have room on our bus to see Dear Evan Hansen in Chicago on February 27, 2019. If you are interested and want more information about either of these trips, let me know and I can send you the details.
Are you interested in helping WCT make decisions about everything we do? Join A Committee and get involved. We have lots of great committees to choose from: Education and Outreach, Finance and Facility, Fund Development, Fundraising Events (Gala), Governance, and Marketing.
Our 62nd Season season tickets, individual tickets, and group sales are all on sale now. Join us for all of our Mainstage shows, Random Acts Of Entertainment, Education & Outreach shows, PIX Flix Films, and Fundraising Events.
Our Mainstage Season includes:
The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940
(Directed By Carol Dolphin)
Billy Elliot: The Musical
(Directed By Mark E. Schuster)
Candy Cane Tales And Holiday Carols
(Directed By John Cramer and Kelly Goeller)
The Underpants
(Directed By Phil Stepanski)
Thoroughly Modern Millie
(Directed By Jim Padovano)
The Giver
(Directed By Katie Lynne Krueger)
But Why Bump Off Barnaby?
(Directed By David Kaye)
Our Random Acts Of Entertainment, Education And Outreach shows, and Fundraising Events include:
The Music Man JR.
Br!NK New Play Festival
A.C.T. August Summer Showcase
DISABILITY: The Evolution
Waukesha Reads
You’ve Got A Friend
An Evening Of Holiday Tales With John McGivern
Joel Kopischke’s I Got Yule, Babe
Comicality
A.C.T. Combat Boot Camp
Waukesha STEM Academy’s Fame JR.
A.C.T. Live!
My Funny Valentine
The Wizard Of Oz Unplugged
The Shamrock Shindig (A Gaelic Gala)
Our Favorite Things
Miscast
A.C.T. June Summer Showcase
Our PIX Flix Film Series includes:
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
Mary Poppins
Singin’ In The Rain
Ghostbusters
North By Northwest
Muppet Christmas Carol
To Kill A Mockingbird
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
The Sting
Field Of Dreams
Camelot
Grease
And don’t forget about all the ways to save on quality, live entertainment. WCT’s Ticket Promotions can’t be beat!
Mainstage Season Ticket – Save 33%
Flex Pass Membership – Save 22%
Subscriber Rate – Save 22 to 31%
Group Rate (Ten Or More Tickets) – Save 22 to 31%
Educational Group Rate (Ten Or More Tickets) – Save 31 to 63%
Senior (60+) / Military Rate – Save 11 to 15%
Teen Rate – Save 15 to 33%
Child Rate – Save 31 to 44%
Terrific Tickets – Save 50%
Pay What You Can – You Name Your Savings
All subscribers also receive the Subscriber Benefits Card with discounts at 17 downtown Waukesha restaurants. And your ticket stub can save you money too!
Thank you to all of the generous donors that have supported us every season. If you would like to donate, you can choose from any number of ways you could help us not only maintain, but thrive, as Waukesha’s Cultural Cornerstone.
Please Consider Giving…
* A gift to our Operating Fund
* A matching gift through local sponsoring business employers
* A gift that will last a lifetime through your Will or Estate Planning to our Curtain Call Club
* A gift by donation to CARS
* A gift by shopping through Amazon Smile
* A gift by purchasing something on our Amazon Wish List
* Choose WCT as your Thrivent Choice charitable organization
* Become a Sponsor of outstanding performances and educational programs
Happy Independence Day!
I’ll see you at the Theatre!
John Cramer
Managing Artistic Director
jcramer@waukeshacivictheatre.org
Director’s Note: Father Knows Best
Thank you for coming to see our re-creation of one of the most beloved television shows of the 1950’s. The show ran for 6 seasons, on two different networks, and was watched by millions, maybe even you!
We are performing this as a period piece, and have kept the characters, language, and social mores of the fifties intact. If you are one of the lucky people to have seen the television show, we’re sure you’ll like our production. If you didn’t, we’re sure you’ll like our production!
Dave Scott
Director
MAD Corner: Father Knows Best
We end our 61st Mainstage season (and fifteen years of putting up with me as WCT’s Managing Artistic Director) with a show that is a classic representation of Americana…Father Knows Best. I loved the TV show and remember it fondly. I am thrilled that we are ending our season with a story that will resonate with a lot of our patrons, young and old.
We recently announced our lineup for our historic 62nd season and are thrilled about the variety of high quality entertainment we are offering. We are sure that you, the Waukesha community, will find something you like from our list of nearly 100 exciting entertainment options.
We have been blessed with the incredible support of the Waukesha community as you support us as patrons, donors, and volunteers. We are excited about the future and the possibilities that lie before us, and we can’t wait to move into the next season with enthusiasm for the arts, our community partners, and all of the people that have been touched, and will be touched by the Waukesha Civic Theatre.
I want to thank everyone for joining us in any capacity, and I hope you are enjoying the ride as much as we are.
John Cramer
Managing Artistic Director
Cramer’s Corner: Our 61st Season Draws To A Close With An Incredible Month Of Entertainment!
As WCT wraps up 61 historic years we look forward to our 62nd season and start our summer off with a cornucopia of awesome art!
Our seventh and final Mainstage show of the 61st season, Father Knows Best, opens TONIGHT and performs through June 17.
We still have room in our New York City Theatre Adventure, but you need to book it NOW. The deadline is today, June 1, but I can accept registrations up to next Tuesday, June 5. If you are interested and want more information let me know and I can send you the registration and tour description.
Registration is open for our A.C.T. Summer Sessions, including our summer A.C.T. production The Music Man JR.
I am also offering beginner-to-intermediate Tap Dance Classes over the summer. There will be 16 75-minute sessions from June 5 through August 21. You can pay as you go, one class at a time, or pre-pay for five, ten, or all 16 sessions. If you are interested please let me know and I can send you the information.
Our twelfth PIX Flix film of the season is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on Monday, June 11 at 6:30 pm. Join us for John Hughes’ brilliant comedy starring Mathew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jeffrey Jones, Jennifer Gray, Charlie Sheen, Ben Stein, and more! All PIX Flix tickets are $5.00, or groups of ten or more for $4.00 each. And of course we have concessions available, including soda, water, beer, wine, cookies, beef sticks, and POPCORN from Pop’s Kettle Corn!
Come see Waukesha’s future stars strut their stuff in our A.C.T. June Summer Showcase on Saturday, June 23, at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm.
Our current featured artists in the Waukesha State Bank Art Gallery are The League Of Milwaukee Artists through June 25.
Are you interested in helping WCT make decisions about everything we do? Join A Committee and get involved. We have lots of great committees to choose from: Education and Outreach, Finance and Facility, Fund Development, Fundraising Events (Gala), Governance, and Marketing.
June is the final month of our 61st Season, with one Mainstage show, one PIX Flix Film, and one Education & Outreach show. Fabulous Flex Passes are still available for our Mainstage show!
Father Knows Best
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
A.C.T. June Summer Showcase
And don’t forget about all the ways to save on quality, live entertainment. WCT’s Ticket Promotions can’t be beat!
Fabulous Flex Pass – Save 22%
Subscriber Rate – Save 22 to 31%
Group Rate (Ten Or More Tickets) – Save 22 to 31%
Educational Group Rate (Ten Or More Tickets) – Save 31 to 63%
Student / Senior (60+) / Military Rate – Save 11%
Student Rush – Save 50%
Terrific Tickets – Save 50%
Pay What You Can – You Name Your Savings
All subscribers also receive the Subscriber Benefits Card with discounts at 17 downtown Waukesha restaurants. And your ticket stub can save you money too!
And our 62nd Season is going to be spectacular! Season tickets for our Mainstage series are on sale now and individual tickets and group sales will go on sale on July 1st. Individual tickets for all of our Random Acts Of Entertainment, Education & Outreach shows, PIX Flix Films, and Fundraising Events are on sale now as well.
We are looking for Production Staff to fill out the full season, including Stage Managers, Music Directors, Choreographers, Scenic Designers, Costume Designers, Lighting Designers, Sound Designers, Properties Designers, and more, so if you are interested please send me a letter of interest and your resume.
Our Mainstage Season includes:
The Musical Comedy Murders Of 1940
(Directed By Carol Dolphin)
Billy Elliot: The Musical
(Directed By Mark E. Schuster)
Candy Cane Tales And Holiday Carols
(Directed By John Cramer and Kelly Goeller)
The Underpants
(Directed By Phil Stepanski)
Thoroughly Modern Millie
(Directed By Jim Padovano)
The Giver
(Directed By Katie Lynne Krueger)
But Why Bump Off Barnaby?
(Directed By David Kaye)
Individual tickets and group sales for our Random Acts Of Entertainment, Education And Outreach shows, and Fundraising Events are on sale now!
Broadway Bound
The Music Man JR.
Br!NK New Play Festival
A.C.T. August Summer Showcase
DISABILITY: The Evolution
Waukesha Reads
You’ve Got A Friend
An Evening Of Holiday Tales With John McGivern
Joel Kopischke’s I Got Yule, Babe
Comicality
A.C.T. Combat Boot Camp
Waukesha STEM Academy’s Fame JR.
A.C.T. Live!
My Funny Valentine
The Wizard Of Oz Unplugged
The Shamrock Shindig (A Gaelic Gala)
Our Favorite Things
Miscast
A.C.T. June Summer Showcase
Our PIX Flix Film Series individual tickets and group sales are on sale now! Get a Flix Mix and SAVE on the whole season!
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
Mary Poppins
Singin’ In The Rain
Ghostbusters
North By Northwest
Muppet Christmas Carol
To Kill A Mockingbird
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
The Sting
Field Of Dreams
Camelot
Grease
Thank you to all of the generous donors that have supported us so far this season. If you would like to donate, you can choose from any number of ways you could help us not only maintain, but thrive, as Waukesha’s Cultural Cornerstone.
Please Consider Giving …
* A gift to our Operating Fund
* A matching gift through local sponsoring business employers
* A gift that will last a lifetime through your Will or Estate Planning to our Curtain Call Club
* A gift by donation to CARS
* A gift by shopping through Amazon Smile
* A gift by purchasing something on our Amazon Wish List
* Choose WCT as your Thrivent Choice charitable organization
* Become a Sponsor of outstanding performances and educational programs
On a personal note my wife Kelli will be performing in The Queens Of Country at the Sunset Playhouse June 14-17.
Happy Father’s Day!
I’ll see you at the Theatre!
John Cramer
Managing Artistic Director
jcramer@waukeshacivictheatre.org
Spotlight On The Board Of Directors: Father Knows Best
Greetings and welcome to the Waukesha Civic Theatre!
Father Knows Best is a wonderful show that captivates all ages. It has true-to-life characters, humorous situations, rebellious teenagers, and a sentimental, funny ending. Father Knows Best is a light-hearted and highly entertaining comedy. What a great way to finish off the 61st season for the Waukesha Civic Theatre.
It is hard to believe the season is ending already. The good news is that the Waukesha Civic Theatre 62nd season calendar is now available. Be sure to pick up the calendar during intermission or on your way out and see all the fun performances and offerings in the upcoming season.
My husband and I, and many of our friends, have had season tickets for years. Our subscription package has allowed us to change dates when needed, for any available seats in the house at no charge and now the restaurant partnership discounts are a bonus. It is great! There are many different subscription packages with a lot of flexible choices. Check it out.
One last note, WCT always welcomes new volunteers with a lot of fun opportunities.
Enjoy the show. Be happy and take care.
Mary Dembinski
Board Director
Director’s Note: Wait Until Dark
Stillness. Darkness. Quiet.
Take a moment to close your eyes. Allow your other senses to take over. What do you hear? What do you smell? What are you touching? Imagine for a moment how it would feel if your sight were suddenly taken from you. How does it make you feel?
One of the things I love about directing theatre is how the process allows us as a cast/crew to step outside our lives and for a moment step into the lives of the characters in the show. This is done through sounds, lighting, set design, props, and character development. When Frederick Knott wrote Wait Until Dark, he certainly wrote it in a way that is designed to engage all of these senses.
The smell of something burning, the sounds of doors and footsteps, the warmth of the lights, the coolness of the dark. These are all things the characters experience, but they don’t all experience them the same.
Susy Hendrix is living in a world of dark. She recently lost her sight in an accident and is learning how to live without it. At first, it might seem that her blindness would be a disadvantage against Roat, Carlino, and Mike; however, as the story progresses, it turns out that might not be the case. Enjoy the characters, for each is unique and have different motivations. Each character is experiencing the days that the play takes place in different ways.
The process of bringing Wait Until Dark began with a cast sitting around a table, reading a script… but is ending with a show that engages all of the senses and will leave you wondering what happens next. Thank you to my amazing production staff and cast for bringing this show to life!
Enjoy the Show!
Kelly Goeller
Director
