Human Race's Classic Thriller WAIT UNTIL DARK Comes To Victoria Theatre 5/5-17

We'll sell you the whole seat, but you'll only need the edge, when Victoria Theatre Association presents The Human Race Theatre Company's all-new stage production of Wait Until Dark, May 5 - 17 at the Victoria Theatre.

The classic thriller is part of Victoria Theatre Association's Chase Broadway Series. Tickets are on sale now through Ticket Center Stage, by calling 937-228-3630, at the Schuster Center box office, or online at www.ticketcenterstage.com.

Before the unforgettable film starring Audrey Hepburn and Alan Arkin, this electrifying show was a hit on Broadway and London's West End.

Written by Frederick Knott, who also penned Dial M for Murder, Wait Until Dark is the story of a sinister con man and two ex-convicts who meet their match in a courageous blind woman. The trio is trying to recover a drug-filled doll that has mistakenly found its way into her apartment. Refusing to be victimized, her strength of character turns a disability into an asset in one of the most famous and memorable climaxes in both stage and movie history.

The Human Race Theatre Company's production of Wait Until Dark is directed by Drew Fracher, who has an extensive resume in both directing and choreographing fight sequences. His previous work with The Human Race includes directing Macbeth and staging fights for Of Mice and Men and I Hate Hamlet.

"When Marsha Hanna, the Artistic Director of The Human Race, asked about my interest in directing Wait Until Dark, I jumped at the chance to tackle this wonderful and well-known thriller," Fracher says. "These days, one doesn't often get an opportunity to work on plays such as Wait Until Dark, or Mr. Knott's other famous play, Dial M for Murder, both of which are true gems of the genre."

As a director his work has been seen at theatres around the country, including Actors Theatre of Louisville, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati and the Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky and Cincinnati Shakespeare Festivals. As a fight director for more than 25 years, his work has been seen at a wide variety of theatres throughout the region.

The cast includes Annie Paul and Robert K. Johansen, both making their debuts on the Victoria stage, as heroine Susy Hendrix and villain Harry Roat. Buz Davis and Human Race Resident Artist Scott Stoney portray Roat's accomplices, Mike Talman and Sgt. Carlino.

The role of Gloria will be played by Bellbrook Middle School 7th grader Sydney Elena Schultz, who is making her debut on the Victoria stage. Rounding out the cast are Jamie Cordes as Sam Hendrix, Daniel C. Britt as Policeman 1 and Gregory Hall as Policeman 2.

The production team includes scenic designer David A. Centers, costume designer Laine June Marr, lighting designer John Rensel, sound designer Rich Dionne and producer Marsha Hanna.

For more information about the cast and other behind-the-scenes scoop about the production, visit www.victoriatheatre.com and click on Wait Until Dark on the home page.

Don't be left out in the dark - The Human Race Theatre's all-new production of this classic mystery is a not-to-be-missed event!

Wait Until Dark is on stage at the Victoria Theatre, May 5-17. Performance times are Tuesday through Friday evenings at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets start at $37, with discounts available for available for senior citizens, students and groups. Tickets are on sale now through Ticket Center Stage, and may be purchased at the Schuster Center box office in downtown Dayton or by phone, at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630. Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday, noon - 4 p.m., and two hours prior to each performance. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketcenterstage.com. Group discounts for 20 or more are available by calling Barrie Denmark, at 937-228-7591, ext. 3074.

Audiences are invited to learn more about the show at a free JPMorgan Background on Broadway session, Saturday, May 9, at 1 p.m. in the reception room on the third floor of the Victoria Theatre. JPMorgan Background on Broadway provides informative and entertaining talks by theatre professionals, focusing on production history, musical highlights, and insider anecdotes.

There will also be an opening night cast party, immediately following the May 5 performance, at The Dayton Racquet Club, located on the top floor of the Kettering Tower in downtown Dayton. The party is free and open to all ticket holders, and includes free hors d'oeuvres and cash bar - plus the possibility of meeting members of the cast! The Dayton Racquet Club is the Official Cast Party Host of the Chase Broadway Series.

Victoria Theatre Association's presentation of Wait Until Dark receives support from Leadership Sponsors AT&T Real Yellow Pages and the Dayton Business Journal, with additional support from our Entrepreneur Sponsorship Circle Sponsors WYSO and Command Roofing Company.

For more information about the show and Victoria Theatre Association, visit www.victoriatheatre.com. To learn more about The Human Race Theatre Company, visit www.humanracetheatre.org.

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