From now until opening night on Jan. 31, the Livingston Post will be profiling cast members of the Community Theatre of Howell’s production of “Wait Until Dark.”
Bruce Michel has been behind the scenes at the Community Theatre of Howell for several years, primarily serving as a director.
But he’s back on stage for “Wait Until Dark,” and he has one of the juiciest roles in the entire play.
Michel plays the mysterious Lt. Mike Talman, who – without revealing too much of the plot – figures VERY prominently in the story.
“My favorite part of this role is the character development that Lt. Mike Talman experiences during the evening,” Michel said. “My favorite Talman line is ‘… that surprise you?’ Because surprise is exactly what the audience gets. Sit back, listen. OK, you jumped!”
The plot of “Wait Until Dark” is a familiar one for generations of playgoers.
In 1944 Greenwich Village, Susan Hendrix (played by LaBar), a blind yet capable woman, is imperiled by a ruthless killer in her own apartment. As the climax builds, Susan discovers that her blindness just might be the key to her escape, but she and her tormentors must wait until dark to play out this classic thriller’s chilling conclusion.
To enhance the thriller, CTH is staging the show in an unusual manner. All seating will be on chairs and risers directly on the stage, so that the audience can feel as though it’s right in the middle of the action.
The show is directed by George Popovich and produced by Kim Carnahan.
Michel, who lives in Hartland with “my partner and co-director” Julie, works as a systems engineer. For CTH, he’s filled a variety of roles, both on stage and off.
“I’ve been involved with local theater groups since 1996, and did my first CTH shows in 2000 – ‘Brigadoon’ and ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,’ ” he said.
His last time on the CTH stage was in 2014, when he appeared as the fiery Rev. Brown in “Inherit the Wind.”
He’s directed a number of shows both for CTH and other groups, including “Into the Woods,” “West Side Story,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Noises Off” and “The Spitfire Grill.”
And he’s loving every second of being on stage in “Wait Until Dark.”
“What I love about this show is that we know ‘who done it’ but can’t figure out ‘where it is,’” he said. “Dr. George Popovich’s laidback yet detailed directing has been by favorite part of this experience. It sounds counterintuitive, but is extremely effective in practice. Best cast preparation ever.”
The Community Theatre of Howell is presenting “Wait Until Dark” at the Howell High School Freshman Campus, 1400 W. Grand River Ave., Howell. Shows are Jan. 31, Feb. 1-2 and 7-9, with showtimes at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday each weekend.
Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, available at Finding Roots in Howell, Maria’s School of Dance in Fowlerville, Big Acre in Brighton, and Ed Bock Feed and Stuff in Pinckney. Tickets are also available by calling 517-545-1290, or online at cththeatre.org. You can buy tickets by clicking here.
