Curtain Calls: ‘Wait Until Dark’ in Martinez pulls off theatrical challenge
Plotline Theater Company’s Randy Anger doesn’t play it safe. The director, actor and musician likes a challenge and has once again found one in his current show. “Wait Until Dark,” written by Frederik Knott and adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher runs through Oct. 2 at the Martinez Campbell Theatre.
You might remember the 1967 movie with Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin and Richard Crenna. Director Terence Young created all the fear and tension necessary to tell the story of a blind girl terrorized by three thugs searching for a doll stuffed with heroin that they believe is hidden in her apartment.
On a film set, the cast and crew can do multiple takes and edit together the best shots, but they just get one chance to do it right on a stage with an audience. Anger and his talented cast don’t disappoint.
Lauren Kelley (Susan Hendrix) nicely conveys her character’s fear, helplessness and then determination. While her character is obviously blind, she projects a steely resolve to do whatever it takes to survive.
Kieran Cross (Harry Roat) once again creates a multidimensional character with plenty of charm and intelligence to go along with his ruthlessness as Susan’s crazed nemesis. Rounding out the trio of bad guys are Bill Dietz (Mike Talman) and Craig Anderson (Carlino). Both fashion nice-guy images to con Susan into trusting them with Justin Hernandez deftly portraying Susan’s hard-working husband, Sam.
Completing the clever cast is 11-year-old Journi Copes Harvey (Gloria). Sam has hired Gloria to help Susan around the apartment when he’s gone. Although Gloria is less than helpful in the beginning, she comes through when Susan’s life is in danger.
Given the suspense that must be created in this show, the cast needs the help of a good set designer and crew. Luckily, they had both with Diane McRice working her usual set design magic, Sandra Gardner on costumes and Todd Drummond and Dave Pursley designing the all-important lighting effects run expertly by Annie Jarrett. For reservations, go to campbelltheater.com. The theater is at 636 Ward St. in Martinez.
Walnut Creek: Smuin Contemporary Ballet will launch its 29th season with “Dance Series 1,” featuring the world premiere of Cuban choreographer Osnel Delgado’s “The Turntable,” Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s “Requiem for a Rose” and Rex Wheeler’s “Take Five,” set to the music of jazz legend Dave Brubeck.
The company tours throughout the Bay Area, including performances Oct. 7-8 in the Lesher Center for the Arts at 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-SHOW or go to lesherartscenter.org.
San Francisco: I can best describe “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” as a delicious bombardment of the senses. The dazzling set that awaits audiences as they step into the theater is breathtaking, not to mention the various dancers wandering about stretching provocatively and staring defiantly at the audience.
And then the show begins with the fabulous orchestra leading stunningly dressed performers through music from Offenbach to Lady Gaga, complete with spectacular dance sequences, including the club’s famous Parisian Can Can.
It’s almost too much as your senses become overwhelmed with so much sound and sparkle, but that’s what this Moulin Rouge, where Parisian Bohemians and aristocrats mix, epitomizes. It’s an inside look at the artists and the passions that drive them and attract others.
At the heart of the musical is a love story to rival the tale of Romeo and Juliet. Here Satine (Courtney Reed), the beautiful star of the Moulin Rouge, falls in love with the struggling writer Christian (Conor Ryan) much to the dismay of club owner Harold Zidler (Austin Durant). Zidler has basically sold Satine to the wealthy Duke of Monroth (David Harris) in exchange for financing his ailing club — a bit of a conundrum for all involved.
While the entire cast does a superb job creating characters with distinctive personalities, it’s Broadway veterans Reed and Ryan who, of course, carry the show. These two performers have such exceptional voices and acting abilities that it’s thrilling to watch them work.
In keeping with the show’s theme of celebrating artists, BroadwaySF commissioned Tenderloin resident Diego Gomez to create a mural on the Hyde Street side of the Orpheum Theatre. The mural epitomizes the “Bohemian ideal” of truth, beauty, freedom and love.
“Public art is essential to a vibrant community, and it was exciting thinking about what the four Bohemian ideals of Paris at the turn of the last century would look like with a modern San Francisco twist,” stated Gómez. “For each of the four arched panels, I incorporated a mixture of Toulouse-Lautrec’s paintings of the Moulin Rouge, the 2001 “Lady Marmalade” sequence from the Baz Luhrman film of the same name, the opera “La Bohème” and chaotic maximalism of stencling and graffiti to match the energy of downtown San Francisco.”
The winner of 10 Tony Awards, “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” continues through Nov. 6 in the Orpheum Theatre at 1192 Market St. in San Francisco. For tickets, go to broadwaysf.com.
Sally Hogarty can be reached at sallyhogarty@gmail.com. Read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.