Cast rehearsing for HCCT’s ‘Wait Until Dark’
COTTONWOOD SHORES — Which is more frightening: The evil you can see coming, or the one you can’t?
The cast of "Wait Until Dark," Hill Country Community Theatre’s first production of the 2011-2012 season, is working to bring that question to life as they rehearse for the play’s opening in September.
The cast for the dramatic thriller, which was a smash hit both on Broadway and as a movie, includes Steve Reily as Mick Talman, Preston Kirk as Sgt. Carlino, Mark Fernandes as Harry Roat, Priscilla Castaneda as Susy Hendrix and Ocean Fillingim as Gloria.
IN PHOTO: Priscilla Castaneda as Susy Hendrix and Steve Reily as Mick Talman rehearse a scene for the Hill Country Community Theatre’s upcoming thriller ‘Wait Until Dark,’ set to open Sept. 22. Courtesy photo
Teresa Bishop is serving as stage manager and veteran actor/director Darrell W. Spencer, who recently moved to the Austin area from Nevada, is the show’s director.
A thriller in the style of Sir Alfred Hitchcock, the play was written by Frederick Knott and opened on Broadway in 1966. In 1967, it was produced as a movie starring Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin and Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
Spencer, who has an extensive background in both acting and directing as well as teaching dramatic arts in several liberal arts colleges, says he was attracted to directing "Wait Until Dark" partly because of the unique challenges presented by the dramatic-thriller genre.
“Unlike most drama, where developing the characters is of key importance, in a thriller the situation has to be foregrounded,” he said. “You have to keep people on the edge of their seats by developing the situation and leading the audience to relate to that situation through the characters.”
"Wait Until Dark" will open at the theater, 4003 FM 2147 West, Sept. 22 and runs through Oct. 2 with 7:30 p.m. performances Thursday through Saturday and 2:15 p.m. matinees on Sunday.
Currently operating on an all-volunteer basis, HCCT is one of the oldest continuously operating community theaters in Texas. During its 25-year history, its productions have drawn audiences totaling more than 100,000.
Some 5,000 volunteers from surrounding communities have given their time and support to the theater’s operations, from management to acting to all aspects of backstage and onstage production, officials said.