Los Angeles Times
- Somewhat Recommended
"...The dramatic premise, of a vulnerable woman discovering unexpected resources that allow her to turn the tables on her assailants, is still the main draw. The road to the goosepimply climax, even with Hatcher's streamlining, is cumbersome, the dramaturgy as outdated as when the work was first written. But what a gripping finish. If endings were all, Knott's play would be a classic."
LAist
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Even with extensive rewrites, Wait Until Dark does not always stand up to logic, and yes, one call to the cops on the way to the train station would save a lot of blood, but the thriller is a roller-coaster ride, one that leaves the audience giddy from terror."
Stage and Cinema
- Somewhat Recommended
"...If you're are a Wait Until Dark newbie by all means head to the Geffen. If you a tried and true fan of the film you'll still want to catch the amazing Alison Pill and witness how her performance will, within moments, make you completely forget about Audrey Hepburn."
The Hollywood Reporter
- Recommended
"...While television has mined most of its inspirations for innumerable episodics, Wait Until Dark remains unquestionably a sturdy construction, no longer surprising yet still satisfyingly tense, evergreen clever, with gratifying thematic undercurrents."
EyeSpyLA
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Even if you've seen the Audrey Hepburn film or a prior production of the play, this tense production will make you feel the thrills all over again."
Stage Scene LA
- Recommended
"...That's why, when I heard that playwright Jeffrey Hatcher was adapting Wait Until Dark for the Geffen Playhouse "in a new time/setting," my first thought was "They must be kidding!" Then I found out that Hatcher was actually taking Knott's thriller back in time to WWII New York City and that thought turned to "Wow! What a clever idea!" Not only a clever idea, it turns out, but one that proves as exciting in execution as in theory."
ArtsBeatLA
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Alison Pill does an excellent job as the fragile yet plucky Susan, engaging our sympathies throughout. As Susan slowly comes to realize the peril she's in, it's both nerve racking and fun to see how she tries to outsmart her ruthless tormentors."
ArtsInLA
- Recommended
"...Matt Shakman directs, creating a memorably powerful sense of impending terror. From the first slash of light at the front door to the last flicker of a matchstick, Shakman gets the audience into the mood to be scared. He does so through fine actors who create believable characters and through the work of outstanding designers-including Craig Siebels's steep apartment (the stage raked to improve sightlines), Elizabeth Harper's sienna lighting that pinpoints flashing knives, and Jonathan Snipes's ominous sound design and foreboding music."
Campus Circle
- Recommended
"..."Wait Until Dark" is a chilling thriller, one that won't leave you wishing it to end. That is, until the final act when all goes dark. Maybe then the dread that fills you will make you beg for the lights to shine brightly once more…"
LA Stage Times
- Recommended
"...The cast, led by Alison Pill as Susan, is formidable, and so are the behind-the scenes contributions of designers Craig Siebels (set), Elizabeth Harper (lighting) and Jonathan Snipes (music and sound) and fight director Ned Mochel. If suspense interests you, do not wait until the Gil Cates Theater is dark again (on November 18). And look for seats as close to the stage as possible to make it a more immersive experience."
OC Register
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Despite a skillful updating by Jeffrey Hatcher, Frederick Knott's 1966 thriller about a blind woman terrorized by thugs in her Greenwich Village apartment is as quaint and dated as a tabletop doily."
Frontiers
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Though this can't be considered a major tweaking of a memorable potboiler, it should deliver the chills and thrills audiences will expect."
Culture Spot LA
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Matt Shakman directed this production with much attention to detail. Unfortunately, some of the details - that are too jarring to ignore - disconnect the plausibility flow of this good thriller."
Grigware Blogspot
- Recommended
"...Under Matt Shakman's taut direction, Wait Until Dark remains a chilling experience in any time or space."
Creepy LA
- Recommended
"...Under the direction of Matt Shakman (founder and artistic director of the Black Dahlia Theatre), the play moves along at a slow boil until the final electrifying conclusion. Alison Pill's exquisite portrayal of Susan had me spellbound as I watched her realize her perilous situation and quickly formulate a plan for survival."
Entertainment Weekly
- Recommended
"...But, director Matt Shakman's new production at L.A.'s Geffen Playhouse (running through Nov. 17) reminds CGI-infected audiences that a few shadows, a shiny knife, and compelling characters can still go a long way to create suspense."
