Wait Until Dark, on stage now at the Shaw Festival (Festival Theatre), is a griping psychological thriller and is exactly the type of show you expect to see on this venerable summer schedule.

The Frederick Knott classic is a deliciously deceitful and twisted plot, where Susan, just a year into her marriage to Sam, is tormented by a couple thugs, a dead body, and a mysterious doll with a secret and hiring desirable stuffing. Susan is also blind with heightened aural and olfactory senses and a clever, quick mind.

Director Sanjay Talwar wonderfully interprets the Jeffrey Hatcher adaptation, which places the action in 1944 to parlay off some World War II returning soldier references. Lorenzo Savoini’s set is a period-shabby Greenwich Village basement apartment with tiny icebox and ragtag furnishings placed just-so to accommodate Susan’s abilities.

It’s the characters and casting that make this production outstanding. Sochi Fried shines as Susan, with a little wisecracking edge to her voice, a hint of vulnerability, and a whole lotta moxie as they would say in the day. Her movements and mannerisms are pure magic as she navigates the stage and plans how to stay safe. Bruce Horak and Martin Happer are convincing schemers and ne’er do wells with all the swagger you expect in ‘40s film noir, and Kristopher Bowman marches along nicely. JJ Gerber as husband Sam is the sweet hubby, and Eponine Lee does fine work as Gloria the young upstairs neighbor. It’s her transformation that gives extra heart to the show and gravitas to Susan’s inner toughness. The ensemble is divine.

There’s nothing like seeing a classic brought to life again and done so very well.

Wait Until Dark is onstage to Oct 5, and it runs 2:20 with an intermission. Find tickets and info at http://www.shawfest.com.