Voices in the Dark

Critiqued by Holly Bartges

The Denver Victorian Playhouse opened wide for a humongous bite when it invited John Pielmeir's thriller Voices In The Dark into its life. Overcoming set challenges, El Armstrong, director and set designer actually started working on the set a couple of months ago. The result is stunning with an inviting log cabin interior. The only things that would keep me from walking through the front door are the animal heads hanging on the wall. I do humbly admit, for the context of the play, the animal heads are indeed appropriate. The reference to "Bambi's Father", however, curdled my blood, not because of the play being a thriller, but just because of the reference itself. However, the one who says it, Egan, played superbly by Wade P. Wood would be expected to make such a crass comment. Certainly not Wood, but definitely the vile character of Egan. As soon as he makes that statement, I know he isn't who he says he is (Egan that is).

Wade Livingston is Blue, and Seth Maisel plays in Victorian Playhouse production of Voices in the Dark Photo Credit: Erin Leonard

Thrillers depend upon characters not always being who they say they are, things that go bump in the night, and weird things unrepentantly jumping out to say "Boo", causing most of the audience to skip a couple of heart beats.

For the most part, thrillers don't do that for me. The last time I sat on the edge of my seat, holding my breath was Vincent Price's 3-D movie, The Wax Museum. Nothing since has come close to that experience. My logical brain kicks in immediately and I begin to analyze everything heard, and seen. For Voices In The Dark, I had it figured out by Intermission. However, to be fair, and fair I always want to be, I have talked with several people who said otherwise. For them, scary is scary, and logical thinking never enters the picture, much less their minds.

However, and this can't be said strongly enough the cast is absolutely magnificent. They are compelling, original, and strong. Even though the script doesn't always grab the attention, the characters do.

For those who love thrillers, love to be able to grab the arms of their chairs or the person sitting next to them whether they know them or not, I wouldn't dream of ruining the experience.

Set, story, and cast are the three main ingredients for a welcome theatre experience. Two out of three isn't bad.

A remote cabin, a frightful snowstorm, a married couple struggling with relationship problems, some off beat characters, and it's a perfect setting for a thriller, trite, but perfect.

Annie Gavin Li in Victorian Playhouse production of Voices in the Dark Photo Credit: Erin Leonard

When I heard the line "It was a dark and stormy night", I can't tell you what flashed in my head. It would certainly spoil whatever that conjures up for others.

Annie Gavin Li captures Dr. Lil, a psychotherapist with the nation's number #1 radio talk show. Her demeanor concerned, understanding, sharp, and perceptive is what you wish all psychotherapists could be. She cares about the people who call her, and cares even more about solutions to their varied horrific situations. Li soundly projects that for Dr. Lil in her first sentence on the edge of the stage in the spot. You feel it, sense it, hear it, and see it. Lil does become somewhat rattled when someone calls and hangs up, and then calls back with slightly scary implications. I would think radio stars would be use to that. I honestly think it would enhance the story if she never gave it another thought.

Lil works and lives in New York City. Her husband. Bill (Austin Terrell), lives in Washington D. C. Commuter marriages are never easy. Admitting to an affair, Bill agrees to take the weekend off and spend it in a cabin with his wife to iron out their difficulties. Of course, he can't make it until Monday. The plane had to be cancelled. And what do you know? He's at the apartment of his "girlfriend" in a meeting that is suppose to last until midnight. Of course.

Two locals help Lil carry her things into the cabin.

Annie Gavin Li in Victorian Playhouse production of Voices in the Dark Photo Credit: Erin Leonard

Slow, dim-witted, but oh, so helpful, Owen with a perpetual silly grin insists he do things his way. What? Carry the suitcases one by one up the stairs to the bedroom? No way. He's going to take them all at once presenting some intriguing humorous business for Seth Maisel. If I saw Owen walking down the 16th Street Mall, I never would recognize Maisel. He is brilliant in this role, and it is difficult to keep the eyes off of him even when he is supposed to be in the background.

Along with Owen is Blue, who prides himself on playing "Mother Hen" since the young man's own father "isn't nice to him". Wade Livingston climbs comfortably into Blue's jeaned overalls. Eager to be helpful, in more ways than one, his lecherous tongue hangs down his chin over Lil. Livingston is great fun as a helpful slob. Eerie, but great fun.

Fitful over Bill's delay, Lil noodles over the weird phone calls she gets, and the noodles turn crisp when the calls begin to reach the cabin. A TV producer, Hack tries desperately to interest Lil in taking her number #1 radio to television. Joe Wilson takes Hack for a strong determined ride to convince her. He's on a one-way track while other things buzz around Lil.

By the time Egan arrives as a police detective, and Lil is fraught with fear and terror, Egan begins to act strangely. Wood gives Egan an interesting tempo, but this so-called detective raises quirky questions right from the start. He's weird and Wood loves every minute providing the weirdness.

Then there's Red a voice on the phone, a calming voice, an inviting voice, a prominent person attending a conference as a key-note speaker who for a short period of time offers solace and encouragement to a rattled Lil. Why not go into town and meet him for a drink. She wants to know, is he called Red because he has red hair? No. He's just called Red. Good enough for her.

Things do get haywire. Things do go Bump In the Night, and a couple of people are found in places they are not supposed to be, and one isn't found where he is supposed to be.

There are voices in the dark all right, and Lil is caught right in the hairy middle.

Although Act I sets up the varied scenarios, I found it dragging and wandering around for way too long. Act II picks up, but there is a rather long conversation at the beginning that appears strange. It seems to be something else would be going on instead of a long conversation.

In spite of the drawn out scenes, the actors remain superb giving their characters full-blown attention. Armstrong directed Voices In The Dark with a sharp eye toward having characters where they need to be in a logical as well as illogical manner.

For the set, direction, and characterizations, Voices In The Dark should not be missed. For those who love to scare themselves silly, the suspense is there. If you have a penchant toward solving the suspense of thrillers, the clues are all there.

Voices in the Dark
By John Pielmeier; Directed by El Armstrong