Ravenscroft
by Don Nigro

October 1 - October 30, 2004

Director: Michael Sandner
Producer: Tammi Gardner

Silver Spring Stage presents Ravenscroft, a funny and suspenseful mystery set in an English country estate where an amorous chauffeur’s unexpected death leads a local detective on a hunt for the truth, directed by Michael Sandner and produced by Tammi T. Gardner.

Don Nigro's 1991 thriller, a hit when it premiered in London, is a dark comedy. The play was later made into the first Czech movie filmed in English called “The Manor” in 1999 featuring Peter O’Toole and Greta Sacchi. The mystery unfolds on a shadowy night when Inspector Ruffing (Ian Wade) comes to investigate the recent headlong plunge of a young manservant down the main staircase at the Ravenscroft estate. He runs headlong into five alluring and dangerous women: Marcy (Heather Benjamin), the governess with a past; Mrs. Ravenscroft (Toni Carmine), the flirtatious lady of the manor; Gillian (Sena Rich), her charming, but possibly demented daughter; Mrs. French (Gina Deavers), the formidable cook; and Dolly (Tiffany Smith), the frantic and terrified maid. Through an increasingly bewildering labyrinth of contradictory versions of what happened, the inspector interrogates, cajoles, and eventually gives up and starts drinking heavily before secrets are revealed and the mystery solved. Along the way the audience will guess the ending while laughing at the antics of the Ravenscroft household.

Michael Sandner directs Ravenscroft, his first full-length play at Silver Spring Stage. He directed a one-act in the Stage’s 2003 One-Act Festival. The members of the production team include Heather Burns (Assistant Director), Tammi T. Gardner (Producer), Brian Powers (Stage Manager), Don Slater (Lighting Designer), Brandon McWilliams (Set and Costume Designer), Michael Sander and Brandon McWilliams (Sound Designer) and Nancy Jaquish (Properties).

Silver Spring Stage’s 36th season continues with the award-winning drama Proof (Nov. 12-Dec. 11), romantic The Pavilion (Jan. 7-Feb. 5, 2005), captivating Painting Churches (Feb. 18-Mar. 19, 2005), sensitive drama Independence (Apr. 1-30, 2005), spy-relevant Pack of Lies (May 13-June 11, 2005) and hilarious Round and Round the Garden (June 24-July 23, 2005).

Ravenscroft is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.