AUBURN — Lewiston-Auburn’s Community Little Theatre’s upcoming production of “Wait Until Dark” will feature a film noir concept.

The suspense-filled show, opening Friday, June 17, is about a blind woman threatened by brutal thugs. It builds to a heart-pounding climax as Susy, the threatened woman, turns the tables on the ruthless thugs.

Director Vincent Ratsavong said he is presenting the play as an homage to the black-and-white movies of 50 years ago. He said the show’s total look in costuming, set design and lighting will have the appearance of black-and-white photography, but he is using splashes of red on specific set and prop elements for special effects related to the plot.

There are several newcomers to the CLT stage for this show.

The lead role of Suzy is played by Natalie “Tali” Haberkamp, who recently came to Maine from Chicago. Ratsavong said Haberkamp has worked intensely to learn the movements and reactions a person who has recently become blind might have. She was able to meet with a local sightless resident who helped her understand the challenges and appropriate actions.

Haberkamp is a veteran actress who has appeared in numerous roles in other regions.

The three thugs are played by CLT veteran Donald Libby (Roat), Michael Millett (Mike) and Henrik Strandskov (Carlino).

Hannah Perreault appears as Gloria, a young girl who is important to the thugs’ interest in Suzy’s apartment.

Jephthah Peters plays Sam, Suzy’s husband, and two policemen are played by Patrick Austin and Ben Dombrowski.

Besides the distinctive production design, Ratsavong said that throughout the show he is using music the audience will associate with movies of the 1960s, the play’s time frame. Songs include “Psycho” and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

A well-known 1967 film version of “Wait Until Dark” starred Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin and Richard Crenna.

This is Ratsavong’s first directorial effort for CLT, but he has directed for several other theaters in the area. He is also an accomplished dancer and choreographer. He plans to continue his education in theater at Dean College in Massachusetts.

Early arrangements had been made to present “Wait Until Dark” at Bates College’s Schaeffer Theatre because of demolition work expected to take place in part of the Great Falls Arts Center aging building at 30 Academy St. The schedule for that work has changed, allowing this CLT production to take place on the organization’s home stage.

Ratsavong said the extended uncertainty about CLT’s home galvanized support of many L-A people.

“We have seen a lot more people whose participation had been mostly as a spectator come forward and audition for parts and volunteer for production duties,” he said.

“This feels like home to me,” Ratsavong said, noting he has appeared in many CLT productions from an early age.

Mitchell Clyde Thomas is mentor director and Irma Penn is assistant to the director and prompter. Other members of the production team are Dick Rosenberg; set design; Stefanie Lynn; producer and stage manager; Ellen Hodgkin, costumes; Richard Martin, lighting design; Don Malpass, lighting; Katie St. Pierre, sound design; Heidi and Riley McCurdy, props, and Danielle Sicotte, publicist.

This marks the third time CLT has produced “Wait Until Dark” since its formation in 1940. The role of Suzy was played by Janet Gibson in the 1967-68 season and by Judy Walker in the 1983-84 season.

Go and do

WHAT: “Wait Until Dark”

WHO: Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theatre

WHERE: Great Falls Art Center, 30 Academy St., Auburn

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 17-18 and 24-25; 2 p.m. Sunday, June 19 and 26; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23

FOR TICKETS: 783-0958 or www.laclt.com