By J.E. Ballantyne Jr.

The Youngstown State University Theater Department raised the curtain Friday night on what it is calling its “killer season.” 

The entire season is devoted to murder mysteries of some kind. To get things rolling, it opened with Don Nigro’s “Ravenscroft.”

Nigro was born and raised in Canton, Ohio, and has written more than 500 plays in his lifetime. In fact, he is one of the most frequently published and produced playwrights, and his work covers many different genres. “Ravenscroft” takes place in December 1905 in a very remote manor house in the English countryside.

A mysterious death has taken place in the house as Patrick, a footman employed by the Ravenscroft family, has taken a rather ugly tumble down the long staircase in the house and ends up with a broken neck. Inspector Ruffing arrives on the scene to investigate the matter by questioning the five off-the-wall and bizarre women who inhabit this spooky mansion.

Alex Shina draws the heavy load as the inspector. And a heavy role it is. He is the only character that is literally on stage for the entire duration of the play. His dialogue load alone is formidable even before you get into his character. Shina is a tour-de-force as Ruffing. He presents Ruffing as dignified and precise at the very beginning – the consummate detective trying to get to the bottom of this case.

But Ruffing’s job is not easy as each woman in the house gives him a different version of the mysterious events. Shina’s acting is top notch as the audience sees him ease the character through numerous situations and moods as his dignified and professional demeanor erodes into frustration, anger and numerous site gags that help Ruffing begin to become unglued by the zany women and their stories.

Shina is so smooth with his transitions that you begin to feel his mood shifts before they even happen. Even the most routine question becomes a banter leading to something totally unrelated to the question he asked. Therein lies much of the humor in this play as Ruffing’s patience begins to wear thin as his questions are turned back to information about his own life. Shina handles these unexpected moments with a real comedy flare. As he moves through the show, Shina develops the character with precision at every move. Shina shares this role on alternate nights with Merrill Voytko.

Marcy, a Viennese governess, is played by Samantha Cox. Cox has been a bright spot in many YSU shows, and she certainly does not disappoint here. Marcy is strong, determined, not intimidated and can verbally spar with Ruffing better than anyone else in the house. Cox presents a very formidable character in Marcy.

Even before she speaks her first line, you know that she will be a tough nut for the inspector to crack.

Cox’s strong acting ability builds a forcefulness in Marcy that presents the perfect foil for Ruffing. Their scenes together are strong, with the dialogue quick and sharp as Marcy throws barbs at Ruffing at every turn. Her comedy timing is excellent as she turns what could be a serious moment into something quite unexpected and humorous. But this humor is also offset by some past secrets that Marcy has stealthily hidden away.

But Marcy is not the only formidable force in the house. Ruffing must also run up against Mrs. Ravenscroft, who is the staunch and unshakable lady of the house.

Played by Chloe Camacho, Ravenscroft is a towering woman of no nonsense who rules the house with an iron hand. The character could even be considered to be the old comedy dowager character that appears in many a mystery as she struts around the room in a flowing high-collared Victorian gown of black and white.

Camacho handles the character with great care and does well as she leads the inspector down various paths of frustration and misdirection. Her calm and controlled demeanor work well with Ravenscroft as she creates an atmosphere of mystery and at the same time holds the other women within her sphere of authority.

Camacho explores the character well as the audience begins to see a hidden side to Ravenscroft – a side that you perhaps may not expect. And yes, even she has emotions, but Camacho walks a tightrope with those as she ekes them out judiciously.

Helena Snyder has perhaps one of the juiciest roles in the show as Gillian Ravenscroft, Mrs. Ravenscroft’s 17-year-old daughter. Keep in mind, this is no normal 17 year old. But then, who in this house is normal? She has a childish charm but also is probably the strangest of all the women in the house.

With blonde pigtails whirling, she slithers her way around Ruffing in a devilishly and creepy seductive way. Snyder’s portrayal plays the character very much on the unhinged side, but in so doing has some of the funniest moments throughout the evening. Snyder is very adept at turning each question of Ruffing’s into a comedic moment.

No mystery in a scary house is complete without a cook and a maid. Well, the cook, Mrs. French, is masterfully played by Karianne Rateno. Again, Rateno makes French a strong and domineering woman who rules the kitchen with an iron spoon. As with the other characters, she has a mysterious side that Rateno plays on very well.

Dolly, the maid, played by Regina Escarga, is perhaps the strongest comedy character in the piece. Dolly is overly nervous and overdramatic and takes every chance to illustrate both. Escarga is in top form as Dolly each time she makes an entrance. Her high energy and confused looks along with her start and stop dialogue gave her a laugh at each appearance. Escarga gives Dolly a wide-eyed innocence with the inspector, and in the next second the squinty-eyed look in response to Mrs. Ravenscroft and her domineering commands.

Director Todd Dicken has done a fantastic job casting this show, directing it and designing the excellent set. His actors are so well rehearsed that you almost hate to see the show end. It is so much fun. His staging is ingenious as he places his actors at points of strength and weakness on a circular black and white rug when being questioned. He moves his actors like chess pieces, leading to a climax.

The set, by Dicken, is all done in black and white, from the furniture to the carpet and even the three large window boxes that hold projections of various rooms of the large house. The audience feels surrounded by this Gothic structure.

Katherine Garlick has hit a new high with her costume designs – all in elaborate black and white designs and tailored magnificently. She always shines with her costumes, but this is one of her best.

Lighting and projection design by Jon Zelezniak create a dominant atmosphere, complete with gobos and creepy shadows, which helps set the atmosphere for the entire evening. Technical direction by Gunnar Carwile fused all of these design elements together into an unforgettable piece of theater.

Even makeup for this production deserves a mention. Each character’s makeup is designed in Gothic style, with sharp definition and pronounced shadowing and shading. It adds a great deal to each character and places each one within the overall black and white theme that carries through the show.

YSU has had many impressive productions, but this one rates very high on the list. The cast for this production is first rate. Performances are strong; characters are believable; and the interaction of each character was well-defined. This is a show you will remember for a long time. Do yourself a favor – don’t miss it.

“Ravenscroft” will continue at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3, 9 and 10; and 2 p.m. Oct. 4 and 11.

Pictured at top: From left are Regina Escarcega, Alex Shina and Samantha Cox in a scene from “Ravenscroft.”