The Elephant Man Performance Breakdown: Wed. 2 p.m.: April 25 Thurs. 8 p.m.: Mar. 29, April 26, May 3 Fri. 8 p.m.: Mar. 9, 23, 30, April 27 Sat. 2 p.m.: Mar. 24, April 21 Sat. 8 p.m.: Mar. 10, 24, April 21, 28

(from left to right) Morgan Chard as Mrs. Kendal, Nathan Magee as Frederick Treves and Dylan Stuckey as John Merrick. *Photo credit: Eric Vaughn Messing

Featuring a company as strong as ever, the Hilberry Theatre continues its highly anticipated 44th season with The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 9. The Elephant Man plays in rotating repertory through May 3, 2007.

In a society that values beauty, John Merrick is an outcast: his appearance is so hideously deformed that people run from him in fear. When Dr. Treves saves him from the freak shows, is he really keeping Merrick from exploitation or does he capitalize on his own agenda to propel studies in human malformation?

John Merrick, dubbed the "Elephant Man," is one of the most famous patients in history, not just on account of his frightful appearance while he was alive, but also because of the division of opinion amongst the medical establishment after his death over what disease he had suffered from.

Merrick was born on August 5, 1862 - one year after the start of the American Civil War - in Leicestershire, Great Britain. His mother was slightly crippled but his brother was normal. John Merrick\'s development was normal until age two, when small growths began to be noticed on his face, the first signs of a frightful disorder which would transform him into the "Elephant Man."

By the age of seventeen Merrick had joined the British labor force working in a menial capacity at a workhouse; he left it at twenty-one for greater opportunity with freak shows in 1883. It was here that show promoters dubbed him the "Elephant Man" and created fantastic stories of his origins to attract the public. Three years later, in 1886, Merrick was discovered by doctor Frederick Treves, and through him, eventually gave up life as a sideshow.

In 1889, John Merrick was admitted to the Royal London Hospital, where he died at twenty-seven of sleep apnea due to the large overgrowth of his head and surrounding tissues which suffocated him as he slept.

Directed by Dr. David Magidson, the cast includes: Nathan Magee (Frederick Treves), Dylan Stuckey (John Merrick), Morgan Chard (Mrs. Kendal), Aaron Kirby (Belgian Policeman/Conductor/Snork/Male Orderly/Crowd), Jeff Thomakos (Carr Gomm), Patrick Moltane (Ross), Christopher M. Bohan (Bishop Walsham How), Caroline Price (Princess/Miss Sandwhich), Cynthia D. Barker (Countess/Female Orderly), Sean Patrick Ward (English Policeman/Will/Twin Manager/Earl), Jeff Luttermoser (Lord John/Crowd), Megan Callahan (Twins/Pinheads/Nurse Clown), Tiffanie Kilgast (Twins/Pinheads/Doctor Clown). The production staff for The Elephant Man includes: Sarah N. Tanner (Scenic Designer/Props Designer), Liz Moore (Costume Designer), Jeremy Weing (Technical Director), J. Marc Quattlebaum (Assistant Technical Director), Thomas H. Schraeder (Lighting Designer), Kathleen Lanphear (Sound Designer), Jared Cole (Assistant Props Designer), Justine Brock (Assistant Lighting Designer) and Erin Birdsell (Stage Manager).

The Elephant Man plays through May 3, 2007 in rotating repertory with On the Verge by Eric Overmyer and Translations by Brian Friel. Ticket prices range from $15 - $28 with student rush tickets available the day of the performance for $10. Group discounts are also available. For tickets and further information, please call (313) 577-2972 or visit the Wayne State University Box Office at 4743 Cass Ave. on the corner of Cass Avenue and Hancock. Performance information may be obtained by visiting the theatre’s website at www.hilberry.com.

Season sponsored by Between the Lines, Dearborn Times-Herald and GreatStuff.