THEATRE + COMEDY

Dionysus Theatre presents their Fall 2010 show, Wait Until Dark, by Frederick Knott.  Directed by Raymond Deeb.  Running October 9 - 28, 2010, in the Joe Frank Tehatre inside the JCC.

A sinister con man, Roat, and two ex-convicts, Mike and Carlino, are about to meet their match. They are seeking a mysterious doll to the Greenwich Village apartment of Sam Hendrix and his blind wife, Susy. Sam had apparently been persuaded by a strange woman to transport the doll across the Canadian border, not knowing that sewn inside were several grams of heroin. The con man and his ex-convicts, through a cleverly constructed deception, convince Susy that the police have implicated Sam in the woman's murder, and the doll, which she believes is the key to his innocence, is evidence. She refuses to reveal its location, and with the help of a young neighbor, figures out she is the victim of a bizarre charade.

But when Roat kills his associates, a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues between the two. Susy knows the only way to play fair is by her rules, so when darkness falls she turns off all the lights leaving both of them to maneuver in the dark until the game ends.

Cast includes Jason Bergstrom (Mike Talman), Jeff Brown (Sgt. Carlino), Miguel A. Meneses (Harry Roat), Marquia Banks (Susy Hendrix), Rodrick Randall (Sam Hendrix), Janie Stewart (Gloria), Shaun Linsey (Policeman), and Joshua Sims (Policeman).

For more than half a century, "Wait Until Dark" audiences have been riveted, breath held, nails bitten, as they watch blind Susy Hendrix terrorized by violent criminals in her home. When Dionysus Theatre's production of Frederick Knott's 1966 thriller opens Oct. 9, that edge-of-your-seat tension dramatically escalates with accurate casting: In the role of Susy is actor Marquia Banks, who happens to be blind.

Casting actors with disabilities along with able-bodied actors is a specialty of Dionysus Theatre, 5601 S. Braeswood in space rented from the Jewish Community Center, and the only theater in Texas to do so. "Wait Until Dark" is the first show of the theater's busy 13th season of dramas, comedies, musicals and the Youth Theatre's annual show -- this year, "True Confessions of a Bully" -- touring schools from Galveston to San Antonio.

“One of the joys of being in Dionysus is they cast correctly. The character Susy is blind, and so am I. I can bring nuances to this role," said Banks, 27, a Heights resident, Houston Community College junior and Dionysus Theatre actor since the theater's founding 13 years ago.

Kingwood resident and the show's director, Raymond Deeb, said it's a joy to direct such hard-working, enthusiastic actors, and that the audience is in for a suspenseful, satisfying ride. "This show will terrify and entertain audiences, and they will leave the show with a smile on their face," Deeb said.

"Wait Until Dark" exemplifies what theater is supposed to do -- provide audiences with new characters, experiences, decisions and insights, said Miguel Meneses, 24, who plays the villainous Roat.

"Theater is, first and foremost, about people and the decisions they make," said Meneses, who lives near Reliant Stadium in Southwest Houston. "This play provides a whole scope of characters and their decisions, whether they be crime victim survivors -- or the criminal."

Shaun Linsey, 20, is a Houston Community College-Katy freshman and Fulshear resident has appeared in several Dionysus Theatre shows, including the lead role in "Autistic License." "I am thrilled and honored to be in a show with so many talented people, as well as a wonderful director," Linsey said. "Every show I perform at Dionysus Theatre is a great learning experience for me."

Theater founder and artistic director, Clear Lake resident Deborah Nowinski, described Linsey as "the director's dream of an actor. Professional. On time. Lines secure and a deep love for his craft."

As Susy's husband, Sam Hendrix, actor Rodrick Randall, who lives near U.S. 59 and North Loop East, said it's been educational to work with actors of all abilities. "It's a strong play with a solid group of actors. It's a fun and interesting experience," Randall said. "I hope I get another opportunity in the future."

Jason Bergstrom, 27, described the production as "unique, amazing and rewarding challenge. "I’m enjoying this show, the Dionysus experience and cast tremendously,"

Twelve-year-old Janie Stewart, in her debut with Dionysus Theatre, is cast as Gloria, the "very bratty" upstairs neighbor who taunts Susy, then rallies to her aid. Janie, who lives in League City, has acted in community and professional Houston theater since age 5, and she gives the current thriller high marks.

"'Wait Until Dark' is a very intense show with great actors," she said.

It also relies on the atmospheric play of light and dark. Jeff Brown, 44, a resident of the North Eldridge Parkway and FM 1960 area, is careful not to give away the play's resolution when he condenses it down to a single point: "Sometimes, darkness can be a strong ally," he said.

It's a point Banks particularly enjoyed during rehearsals. "It's fun to watch the actors try to deal with the scenes in the dark. I have no problems," Banks said. "There're humorous moments, too, as the actors try to deal with the dark. But it became an educational moment -- and I was the educator. Another cool Dionysus moment."

All shows are captioned. Description for those visually impaired Sunday, October 24 at 1pm.

"Wait Until Dark" is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9, 14, 21, 23 and 28, and at 1 p.m. Sunday mattinees Oct. 10, 17 and 24. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and $10 each for groups of 10.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.dionysustheatre.org , or call the theater at 713-728-0041.