AUBURN — A perfect pairing of excellent actors and outstanding work by the lighting and stage management crew succeed in delivering a spellbinding production of “Wait Until Dark” by Community Little Theatre.

Natalie “Tali” Haberkamp plays Susy Hendrix, a sightless woman who senses ominous changes in the all-important familiarity she must maintain in her apartment. Haberkamp’s portrayal is a fascinating experience for  audience members who see things she can’t see, but easily understand how she is recognizing the growing danger around her.

Haberkamp came to Maine recently from the Chicago area, where she has extensive stage experience.

Don Libby plays Harry Rote, one of the most evil stage characters you can imagine. His every move and word is filled with menace. He is a CLT veteran whose credits include “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Liar” and “The Laramie Project.”

Hannah Perreault is another of the show’s stand-outs. She is just 10 years old, but has seven years of acting experience. She has an important role from beginning to end, and she makes the best of every scene she is in. She has been in several Disney shows, including “Mulan Jr.,” “High School Musical 2” and “Alice in Wonderland.”

The success of this “Wait Until Dark” production owes a lot to the direction of Vincent Ratsavong. This is his debut as a CLT director, and his film noir concept of a monochrome set design with splashes of red is effective. He also includes occasional background music drawn from suspense movies such as “Psycho.”

Ratsavong’s sense of suspenseful timing puts instantaneous heart-stopping thrills in just the right places. Although the plot may seem overly complicated at times, the audience hangs on every word as the anxiety mounts.

The plot of “Wait Until Dark” revolves around three thugs who are searching for a doll that conceals drugs. A series of mix-ups led to the doll getting to Susy’s apartment after a trip her husband took. Two of the thugs, who are small-time con men, pose as a friend of Susy’s husband and as a detective, but their actions arouse suspicions and Susy realizes she needs to take steps to protect herself.

The climax of the show is heart-pounding action as Susy fights for her life against the desperate Rote.

Michael Millett’s portrayal of Mike Talman, one of the thugs, is well done as he convincingly gains Susy’s confidence. Making his CLT debut, Millett has appeared in numerous theatrical productions. He lives in Topsham.

A second thug played by Hendrik Standskov adds just the right bit of humor. He has been in many area productions. He played Sitting Bull in CLT’s presentation of “Annie Get Your Gun.”

The role of Sam, Susy’s husband, is small, but Jephthah Peters plays it well. Peters had the role of Porter in CLT’s “Deathtrap.”

Policemen are played by Patrick Austin and Ben Dombrowski, and Danielle Sicotte makes a cameo appearance.

For “Wait Until Dark” to work on the stage, there must be on-the-mark lighting effects and precise prop control on the set. This is all handled without fault by Richard Martin, lighting designer, and Don Malpass, light board operator. Irma Penn is producer/stage manager; Mitchell Clyde Thomas is mentor director.

Remaining shows

WHAT: “Wait Until Dark”

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

WHERE: Great Falls Performing Arts Center, 30 Academy St., Auburn

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