‘Woman in Black’ is chilling, eerie & effective

By DANIEL SHOCK
A Seat on the Aisle

Here in the middle of August, we are still many weeks away from the chill in the air that turns leaves orange and brown, brings sweaters out of the closet, and stocks pumpkins at the entrance to the grocery store. I am not one to anticipate the coming of Halloween before the month of October, and, for me, scary stories are best as the days grow shorter and the scent of smoke from a burning fire lingers.

So, last night, I wasn’t sure that I was particularly well-positioned to fully appreciate a ghost story so early in the year. However, strong writing, performances, and presentation in the Carmel Community Player’s production of Woman in Black quickly set the mood for an evening so spooky you can almost smell the pumpkin spice.

Based on Susan Hill’s novel and adapted for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt, Woman in Black follows the experiences of Arthur Kipps, portrayed by Earl Campbell, a lawyer haunted by unsettling events that began after attending the funeral of an elderly recluse.

Todd Isaac as The Actor with Earl Campbell as Arthur Kipps. (Photo by David Teter)

The story unfolds in an empty Victorian theatre, where an older Kipps, attempting to come to terms with his past, reads from a manuscript detailing his ordeal. He enlists the help of a young actor, played by Todd Isaac, to dramatize the tale. Initially met with criticism for his rigid storytelling, Kipps agrees to let the Actor take on the role of his younger self while he assumes the roles of all the other characters, narrating the terrifying sequence of events. As they reenact the chilling occurrences, including the sighting of the titular woman in black (Megan Janning), the audience is drawn into the dark tale of loneliness, loss, and fear.

The small cast brings a wide range of emotion, intensity, and a surprising amount of humor to the production, with each actor playing multiple roles. Todd Isaac and Earl Campbell share an easy chemistry, seamlessly switching between characters. The humor early in the show warms the audience up to them, making the coming horrors all the more impactful. Megan Janning’s portrayal of The Woman is haunting, her presence on stage sending shivers down the spine.

Technically, the production shines with a deceptively simple set designed by Dave Muse, Lori Raffel, and Charlie Hanover, which proves to be incredibly effective. The design enhances the show’s eerie atmosphere, with just the right touches of darkness and shadow to keep the audience guessing. The lighting, designed by Karissa Monson, is nicely used to create tension, often leaving just enough in the dark to let your imagination run wild.

Sound design by Lori Raffel plays a crucial role in building the suspense. Costumers Cathie Morgan and Hannah Janowicz, who is credited as the Creator of the Woman in Black, have crafted outfits that are appropriate for the era and subtly enhance each actor’s performance.

Director Lori Raffel has delivered a compelling and creepy production that reminds me, in all the best ways, of the two Netflix Haunting series. In the director’s notes, she rightly sums it up by saying, “this play is about isolation and loneliness, influences of the past, and, as we might expect from a ghost story – fear.” Carmel Community Players’ Woman in Black earns a strong recommendation.

Woman in Black is playing at The Cat, 254 Veterans Way, Carmel. Performances continue on Aug. 22, 23, 24, and 25. For tickets and more information, visit the Carmel Community Players’ website at carmelplayers.org/whats-on-stage.

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