A Gruesome Sight

Night Watch

With the exciting world of 1972 Manhattan at her doorstep, wealthy, pampered Elaine Wheeler seems only to be obsessed with the view outside her living room window. Elaine and her husband John Wheeler live in a luxurious townhouse, directly across from another large, but abandoned, building that’s in a state of disrepair. The old house appears to be deserted; however, one night Elaine notices a light shining through one of the windows, revealing a gruesome sight. The curtains have been drawn aside exposing the gory murder of a middle-aged man, sitting lifelessly in a wing chair. His throat has been slit.

However, Elaine’s observation is open to skepticism. It’s being made by a woman who’s being medicated for several physical and emotional problems. For several years, Elaine hasn’t had a full night’s sleep. Suffering from chronic insomnia, a nervous breakdown and severe depression, John Wheeler has tried everything to help his lovely wife. He’s invited Blanche, Elaine’s best friend, who’s also a nurse, to stay with them for several weeks. He’s sought out a highly recommended female insomnia specialist to visit the house, in order to assess his wife’s problem. Wheeler has also booked Elaine into an exclusive Swiss clinic, hoping that after several months rest, treatment and a new peaceful environment his wife will finally find a cure.

Elaine repeatedly calls the police department, hounding both Inspector Walker and another officer over and over again. They’ve paid multiple visits to the Wheelers apartment for more information and have thoroughly investigated the rundown building next door. Finally the NYPD informs the Wheelers that they can find no evidence of a murder so the case is officially closed. Then Elaine unexpectedly witnesses another murder—this time a blonde woman. Suddenly the game is afoot.

Lucille Fletcher’s vast writing career included ten novels, the libretto for an opera, dozens of radio plays and her three best-known theatrical works, “The Hitch-Hiker,” “Sorry, Wrong Number” and “Night Watch,” which was adapted for a popular 1973 film that starred Elizabeth Taylor and Laurence Harvey. In my opinion, the story works better as a movie because it’s not confined to a single room.

Director Georgette Verdin’s production focuses on the play’s more melodramatic elements. There are times when what a character says or their strange physical reactions to something elicits laughter from the audience. I’m not sure if that was the intended response in a murder mystery, but it was the honest reaction from many opening night theatergoers. 

While beautiful actress Aila Ayilam Peck plays Elaine as realistically as the script allows, Kroydell Galima, as John, plays the man as a one-note wonder. He comes off as the most irritable  man you’ve ever met. Elaine is clearly upset and troubled by the horror she’s witnessed and is desperate for answers and a little understanding. All she gets from her husband is arrogance, attitude, childlike scolding and railing rebuke. The kindness and empathy Elaine seeks primarily comes from their maid, Helga, and from Dr. Lake (both characters beautifully played by Kathy Scambiatterra, demonstrating the actress’ talent and versatility). She’s also befriended by Mr. Appleby, a campy and comical character, whose nosy neighborhood investigations yield some investigative reporting for his smalltime newspaper. Talented Matthew Martinez Hannon plays both Mr. Appleby and Vanelli with skill. Blanche is played with phony compassion for her friend by lovely Jodi Gage. Later in the play we understand her motivation, as well as the subtle, knowing glances exchanged by Blanche and John. And another Chicago talent, Christopher Meister nicely plays both Inspector Walker, with the appropriate authority, and the deli potato salad king, Mr. Hoke, with a flair for humor.

The production team includes an expansive scenic design by Mara Ishihara Zinky. The set fills the Raven stage and is peppered with little artsy details and furnishings that read as an expensive townhouse. The play is lit by Lee Fiskness, with original music and sound designed by Christopher Kriz. And Steph Taylor’s lovely costumes are both stylish and speak volumes about each character. The gowns for Elaine in particular are quite stunning.

Raven Theatre’s psychological thriller is a forgotten gem from the 1970’s. Directed by Georgette Verdin, this murder mystery is heavy on the melodrama, and filled with enough humor and tense moments to satisfy Halloween audiences. The surprise conclusion to this tale of a woman tormented by a gruesome sight she witnessed, just outside her window, will have theatergoers talking for hours after the final curtain.

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 5-November 12 by Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-338-2177 or by going to www.raventheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com