Actress Who is Blind to Portray Susy in ‘Wait Until Dark’

La Crosse Community Theatre announces that tickets are on sale now for Wait Until Dark. Performances begin January 24, 2019, and continue through Sunday, February 10, 2019. Shows are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. in the Veterans Studio Theatre at the Weber Center for the Performing Arts.

A sinister con man and two ex-convicts are about to meet their match. They have traced a valuable doll to the apartment of Susy, a woman who is blind. The men hatch a plot against Susy to retrieve the doll, but Susy uncovers their charade. A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues. When darkness falls, Susy sets a trap so her assailant must maneuver in the darkness with her until the game’s shocking end.

“When we chose the play Wait Until Dark, we realized immediately that it was important to cast an actress who is blind in the title role. We are incredibly excited to provide quality theatre presentations by ensuring an equitable and respectful representation of the character. In my research, I have only found one other production to utilize an actress who is blind, and that production was performed in the UK. So, as far as I understand, Mei-Ling Felten is the first American who is blind to play Susy,” said LCT Producing Artistic Director, Grant Golson.

Wait Until Dark is directed by Grant Golson. This production also features set and lighting design by Kit Mayer, costume design by Theresa Smerud, props design by Bonnie Jo Bratina, sound design by Luke Erickson, technical direction by Erek Weis, stage management by Katya Carter, assistant direction by Tim Harris, and assistant stage management by Grace Stablier..

The performers are Jim Nelson as Mike Talman, William Garcia as Sgt. Carlino, Colin Thelen as Harry Roat, Jr., Mei-Ling Felten as Susy Hendrix, Morgan Gates as Sam Hendrix, Avie Nelson as Gloria, and David Cochran and Daryl Wood as Police Officers.

“It is an exciting honor to be chosen for this role. I hope it shows people that having a disability doesn’t stop you from doing what you want to do. I also hope that having a blind actress portray Susy will show people what it is like to be truly blind and offer some insight into being disabled,” said Mei-Ling Felten.

Tickets are $24-$28 for adults, $16 for students, and may be purchased over the phone or at www.lacrossecommunitytheatre.org. For questions or tickets, please call the box office at 608-784-9292 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

La Crosse Community Theatre creates productions and projects that enhance the theatrical literacy of our audience members, volunteers, students, and staff. We provide opportunities for creativity and personal growth in a fun, collaborative environment. We have been a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation since 1963.

FAST FACTS

WHO: La Crosse Community Theatre

WHAT: Wait Until Dark

WHERE: Veterans Studio Theatre, Weber Center for the Performing Arts, 428 Front Street South, Downtown La Crosse

WHEN: January 24-26, January 31-February 2, and February 7-9 at 7:30 p.m., and January 27, February 3, and February 10 at 2:00 p.m.

PRICES
Adults: $24-$28
Students: $16

BOX OFFICE HOURS
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday

Media Contact:
Grant Golson
Producing Artistic Director
Phone: 608-784-9292 ext 3
Email: ggolson@lacrossecommunitytheatre.org