JERSEY BOYS' Alison Smyth Stars in WAIT UNTIL DARK, Beginning Tonight at Classic Theatre Festival

Alison Smyth, an actress born and raised in Ottawa but now a Torontonian, is set to star as 'Susy' in Wait Until Dark at the Classic Theatre Festival this month.

A role made famous by Audrey Hepburn in the 1967 film version of the play, Smyth has been in rehearsal for the past two weeks and is excited to perform for an audience.

"The final element, the final cast member, if you will, is the audience. The electricity they bring to the theatre really keeps me invested in every moment onstage," says Smyth.

Best known for her featured roles in the Toronto productions of Jersey Boys (Dancap Prod.) and Evil Dead: The Musical (Starvox Ent.), Smyth is ready to take the stage in the first leading role of her career. She did understudy the lead role of Tracy Turnblad three times in the Mirvish production of Hairspray, but regularly performed in the ensemble.

Wait Until Dark opened on Broadway in 1966 and ran for 374 performances. It tells the story of Susy, a blind woman, who must fend off a group of seedy drug dealers and thieves who invade her apartment searching for a mysterious doll.

"The director, Laurel Smith, is excellent. She reminded me that Susy takes a stand for all those who are bullied," says Smyth. "Susy goes through so much in a short span of time. It's a roller coaster of a role. And not being able to connect with the other actors through eye contact has been interesting. I'm relishing this opportunity and am having a lot of fun."

Wait Until Dark runs from tonight, August 8, until August 30 in Perth, Ontario. For more information visit www.classictheatre.ca/wait-until-dark or www.alisonsmyth.com.