Like Ravel's Bolero, Unravelled builds in intensity beat by beat winding you into its madness right up to the bold destabilizing climax. Strong compelling writing, solid acting, including a great performance by Lucy Davenport, and crisp direction/editing heartily engage despite the limitations of artists performing on multiple "stages" integrated via video.

It's hard to describe the sobering feelings this subject matter brings up. Likely, we all have a loved one or close friend struggling with a mental illness. They're there and then they're not there. This Covid-Era video performance takes an artistic/poetic hard look into the process of thinking about how to mentally and logistically prepare for that long goodbye. Audiences get that hard look from both the perspective of the support person and of the one with the degenerative disease. Despite the artistic, fun, and obviously paranormal inclusion of Ravel himself, the play progresses with a support-group sense of honesty and real-to-life feel. All the while, the dialogue dances between humor and stone cold seriousness.

From the Press Notes/Website: "Incorporating research and interviews conducted by Jake Broder as a Hellman Visiting Artist at UCSF’s Memory and Aging Center, UnRavelled explores the fascinating connection between the work of Canadian painter Anne Adams (1940–2007) and French composer Maurice Ravel (1875–1937), both of whom lived with the same rare brain disease."

Ross Anthony interviews playwright Jake Broder.

Want to watch "UnRavelled" free of charge? Or even plug into related online panels? Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI.org) will offer a related series of online symposia during June 2021 (Saturdays at 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET) free of charge. Panels will include science and medical experts, people living with dementia, and caregivers, among others. Anyone interested in joining is encouraged to first watch “UnRavelled” at www.UnRavelledPlay.com also free of charge.