FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 12,
2015
CONTACT: Randall
Hartzog, Theatre
Memphis, Director of Marketing and Communications
rhartzog@theatrememphis.org 901.682.8601
Suspenseful Thriller Takes the Lohrey Stage at
Theatre Memphis
Memphis,
TN – Wait Until Dark creeps onto the Lohrey Stage at Theatre
Memphis October 16 – November 1, 2015. Unknowingly in possession
of stolen jewels, Sam and his blind wife, Susy, are the target of three con men
trying to retrieve the contraband. Deception, murder and intimidation lead to
Susy using all of her wits and the darkness she is familiar with to her benefit
to ultimately survive.
Directing
the drama is Tracey Zerwig Ford who is incorporating suspense techniques from
Film Noir of the 1940’s. “We use lighting and sound and sets in
non-conventional ways to heighten the tension of the script and dramatic
action,” she says. Andria
Wilson leads the cast as the sight-impaired Susy who has the physical challenge
of outmaneuvering her aggressors with her heightened senses and survival
instinct. Though portraying the character is difficult, Wilson is focused on
what is real and can bring that to the role having been declared legally blind
at the age of 9.
“Due to rapid deterioration of my vision via nearsightedness …
I remember that poor vision kept me from experiencing normal childhood activities,” Wilson recalls.
“I found it as a barrier of connection to my friends.” But in her 20’s a new surgical procedure helped
her reclaim her vision and, “After that
day my ‘normal’ was no longer ‘normal’ .. I could actually see when I awoke.” When in
rehearsal Wilson made a special connection with the role of the blind Susan,
not just through her experience, but with the help of a consultant, Stephanie
Jones, blind herself, who is a teacher at Clovernook Center for the Blind and
Visually Impaired. According to Ford, Jones has been a resource to
understanding the blind experience and she beams, “We are incorporating so much of what she
shared in the play.”
Wilson
also has been relying on Jones as a guide and friend to develop the Susy
character. Regarding Jones, “Her input from prop usage to character development
has been invaluable.” Wilson also relates, “It also helped when (Susy) walked through the ‘dark world’ and realized ‘her
willingness to own her blindness,use it … to claim her strength.’”
Theatre Memphis Executive Producer Debbie Litch doesn’t bat an eye when
she proclaims, “’The entertainment value of a show like this is so great. The
suspense and drama all play to the strengths of a perfect show for October … I look
forward to this being a big hit with this cast and Tracey directing. And with
the increased awareness of the sight impaired community that has been heightened
by this experience, Theatre Memphis will be having a special ‘audio description’
performance for the sight impaired on Sunday, October 25, 2015.”
###
TITLE: Wait Until Dark
WRITTEN
BY:
Frederick Knott
ADAPTED
BY:
Jeffrey Hatcher
DIRECTOR: Tracey Zerwig Ford
VENUE AND ADDRESS: Theatre Memphis on the Lohrey Stage, 630 Perkins
Ext, Memphis, TN, 38117
RUN DATES: October 16 – November 1, SPECIAL ‘audio description performance” October 25.
TIMES
OF SHOWS: Thursdays
@ 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays @ 8pm with matinees @ 2pm on Sundays
TICKETS: $25 adults, $15 students with valid ID
BOX OFFICE: 901.682.8323
WEB:
www.theatrememphis.org
SPONSORED BY: Davey
Tree Service and Dr. Thomas Ratliff
Promotional
graphic attached. Production photos
available 10/13/15.
Theatre
Memphis is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization located at 630 Perkins
Extended (corner of Perkins Extended and Southern) and is a community theatre
whose mission is to provide outstanding theatrical experiences to enrich the
lives of our audiences and participants.
Theatre Memphis receives season sponsorship
and funding from: