Get ready, Toronto – suspense is coming alive at Shaw Festival’s Festival Theatre in picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake! Wait Until Dark, Jeffrey Hatcher’s electrifying adaptation of Frederick Knott’s chilling tale, officially takes the stage July 4. Directed by Sanjay Talwar, this macabre thriller is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat until the final blackout—quite literally.
Set in a dimly-lit 1944 Greenwich Village basement apartment, the story unfolds when recently blinded homemaker Susan (Sochi Fried) becomes the unwitting target of a criminal gang led by the sinister Roat (Bruce Horak). Their mission: recover a valuable doll mistakenly brought home by her husband (JJ Gerber). But underestimating Susan proves to be a fatal error. As the tension escalates, Susan’s sharpened senses turn the tables on her prey, building a perfectly orchestrated battle of wits that crescendos in a nail-biting finale.
The production’s masterful design ensemble—Lorenzo Savoini’s tight, suffocating set, Ming Wong’s authentic 1940s wardrobes, and Louise Guinand’s haunting lighting—craft an atmosphere thick with anxiety. Original sound and music by John Gzowski further amplify the suspense, while Geoff Scovell’s meticulously choreographed fight sequences heighten every heartbeat.
Joining Fried and Horak are standout performances from JJ Gerber, Kristopher Bowman, Martin Happer, and Eponine Lee.
🎟️ Ticket Info & Shaw Express:
Tickets are available now for performances through October 5. Simply call 1‑800‑511‑SHAW or visit shawfest.com. Travel is worry-free thanks to the Toronto–Niagara Shaw Express, a wheelchair-accessible luxury bus with Wi‑Fi and a friendly onboard host—just $39 round-trip (booking your Wait Until Dark performance ticket is required). Reach out to the Box Office to reserve your spot.
🕰️ Quick Details:
- Location: Festival Theatre, 10 Queens Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake
- Dates: Previews from June 25; full run July 4 – Oct 5; recommended for ages 14+
- Runtime: Approx. 2h30 (with intermission)
If you crave suspense, sharp performances, and a cleverly trapped setting that heightens every whisper, Wait Until Dark is your must-watch thriller this summer.
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