DETROIT – Looking for a New Year's resolution? Consider visiting an institution that will break you of your bad habits. All you have to do is take the twisted route played by Nurses Benson and Hedges in the Terrence McNally penned tale "Ravenswood," which plays at The Studio Theatre at 8 p.m. Jan. 28-30 and Feb. 4-6.
Ravenswood is the facility across the lake from Dunelawn. Unlike Dunelawn, these patients and nurses aren't curing themselves of their problems at a retreat. They're emerging into their "true selves" at a bizarre mystical asylum where injections and straitjackets are normal fare. Gone is the comical glee of Dr. Pepper at Dunelawn; he has been replaced by Dr. Toynbee, who whispers gibberish into his patients' ears.
Directed by first-year WSU PhD candidate Aaron Westlake, "Ravenswood" marks his first production at The Studio Theatre.
The cast of "Ravenswood" includes Alexandre Bleau (Bruno/Montreal), Steve Carson (Ponce), David Cowan (Blum), Britta Peele (Nurse Benson), Justin Sandelin (Dr. Toynbee), Kelli Marie Sarakun (Nurse Hedges), Andrew Sheldon (Hugh Gumbs) and Justin Wagner (Yamadoro).
The production team includes Susan Campbell (set designer, Anthony Karpinski (properties master), Colin Mallory (stage manager, Anne Suchyta (costume designer) and Michael Thomas (lighting designer).
Ravenswood plays at Wayne State University's Studio Theatre, located downstairs at the Hilberry Theatre at 4743 Cass Ave. in Detroit. Ticket prices range from $10-$12. Discounts are available.
For tickets and more information please call 313-577-2972, log on to http://www.wsushows.com or visit the Wayne State University box office at 4743 Cass on the corner of Cass and Hancock.
