The historic Bonstelle Theatre is proud to open its 2005 – 2006 season on Friday, October 28 with the docudrama Ten November by Steven Dietz.

On the eve of November 10, 1975, 29 men set sail toward Detroit on the S.S Edmund Fitzgerald. After 7:25 p.m. they would never be seen again. This haunting maritime tale commemorates the 30th anniversary of the tragic sinking with achingly beautiful folk songs and powerful accounts of why the Fitzgerald ended her fateful journey at the bottom of Lake Superior. “Standing on the shore you can feel it. All that remains is the lake and her stories.”

Directed by Lavinia Hart, with music direction by Marie Reinman and stage management by Andrea Kannon (Ferndale, MI), the cast includes: Sam Brilhart (Fenton, MI), Jonathan Davidson (Dearborn, MI), Murphy Hendy (Grand Ledge, MI), Alex Hill (Royal Oak, MI), Angie Kane (Wyandotte, MI), Jen Martin (Detroit, MI), Kristen Pickthall (Tecumseh, MI), Will Robb (St. Claire Shores, MI),
Cal Schwartz (Dearborn, MI), Mike Targus (Livonia, MI), Dan Watson (New Boston, MI) and Chin Yang (Warren, MI). Designers for the production are Frederick Florkowski (scenic), Tomas H. Schraeder (lighting), and Federica Garcia (costumes).

Steven Dietz is a playwright and director whose works have been produced at theatres across the country, including Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Humana Festival of New American Plays, Actors Theatre in St. Paul, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. A selection of Mr. Dietz’s plays includes God’s Country, Private Eyes, Painting it Red and Foolin’ Around with Infinity.

Members of the Great Lakes Maritime Institute will be at the Sunday, October 30, 2 p.m. performance of Ten November and will be available to answer questions about the Edmund Fitzgerald and related events. Their display will include paintings, artifacts, (and possibly a model) of the Edmund Fitzgerald as well as informational material about upcoming events commemorating the 30th anniversary of the sinking of the Fitzgerald.

Ten November opens at the Bonstelle Theatre on Friday, October 28 with performances on October 29, November 4, and November 5 at 8 p.m. and October 30 and November 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets for Ten November can be purchased in advance by calling the Wayne State University Box Office (located at 4743 Cass Ave. on the corner of Cass and Hancock) at (313) 577-2960 Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon until 6 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased at the door at the Bonstelle Theatre, located at 3424 Woodward, beginning one hour prior to each performance. Ticket prices range from $11- $14 with discounts available for senior citizens, students, faculty and Alumni Association members. Performance information may also be obtained by visiting the theatre’s website at www.theatre.wayne.edu.

Season sponsored by Between the Lines, Metrotimes and Dearborn Times Herald

Photo Credits: Sarah Clare Meyer