A young nanny in a haunted mansion is left grasping for truth in the West Virginia University opera program’s production of Benjamin Britten’s psychological thrillerA Turn of the Screwat the Creative Arts Center Wednesday through Saturday, April 14-17.

Under the direction of Robert Thieme, performances begin at 7:30 p.m. in the CAC Falbo Theatre, with the exception of the Saturday, April 17, performance, which will be at 3:15 p.m.

According to Thieme, the workshop production includes minimal costume and scenery, but Britten’s haunting adaptation of Henry James’novel will leave audiences guessing.

A young governess, hired to care for two orphaned children in the English countryside, is told how bright and well-behaved the children are. But the governess slowly begins to realize that all is not as it seems. The children begin to behave oddly. Young Miles is expelled from school and he and Flora wander outside in the middle of the night. Meanwhile, the governess is tormented by the ghosts of the former governess and butler. Convinced that the ghosts have returned to possess the children, she resolves to confront the apparitions.

Is the proverbial turn of the screw the tightening of the grip the ghosts have upon the children, or is it the twisting of the governess’s mind?

WVU voice students who will perform the major roles include Joanie Brittingham, Jessica Mariotti, Rebecca Mullins, Laurie Racculia, Robert Strauss and Jennifer Vanderholm.

For tickets or more information, contact the Mountainlair Box Office at (304) 293-SHOW.