By Kevin Kaumans, Entertainment Editor
Last week, I had the honor of interviewing the student director of Northwestern University’s latest play, “Asylum”.
Gabe Bussinger is a senior and good friend of my roommate, Zayne.
Before anyone accuses this interview of being biased, however, let me stress that he and I have not had any contact with one another besides basic greetings up until this meeting.
I have no opinion of Gabe, positive or otherwise, that could affect what I am about to write, as I know little to nothing about him.
“Asylum” is a one-act play written by Jerome McDonough sometime in 1975.
It tells the story of a man named Stan and his fellow patients, all of whom suffer from different mental illnesses.
“The themes of the play,” Mr. Bussinger said. “Includes the struggle to adapt to social norms, as well as many other major themes that I don’t want to spoil. It is a powerful and almost haunting drama that I want everyone at Northwestern to come and see.”
When asked why he chose this play out of the millions of other ones out there, Gabe told me: “This is a challenging and thought-provoking story that has allowed all of my actors to explore how deep their characters can go. My actors themselves are extremely committed and dedicated to what they are doing in order to honor the emotional deepness contained within the play.”
Aspen Marshall will be playing the role as the main character in this production.
When questioned as to why he out of all our theater students was chosen, Gabe assured me that he felt Aspen developed the character in his beginning rehearsals to the best that it could be.
He told me that he wanted to see how Aspen could depict Stan’s disorders in a gritty and realistic fashion.
Though he is a theater student, Gabe has no intention of becoming an actor or director after he graduates.
Instead, the young man intends to go into interior design. Gabe wants to work on set designs within the theaters many go to see.
“Asylum” by Jerome McDonough is set to perform Oct 2 and 3 in Herod Hall at the Fellers Family Auditorium at 7 PM.
General admission is five dollars. WIth your student ID, admission is only three dollars.