Many a haunted attraction was sidelined this fall by the unrelenting spread of COVID-19 — from non-profits to high dollar, professional attractions, few went untouched by the pandemic that dominated headlines throughout 2020. Deranged, entering the crucial third year of operation, decided to implement the necessary changes so that the attraction could open as safely as possible, and it would seem it was a shrewd move.
The aforementioned changes began the moment I purchased tickets when I was asked to return to my vehicle and instructed to wait for a text message. Once that communication was received, our group was allowed to proceed to the short line gathered by the entrance of the haunt where an energetic, impish fellow playfully encouraged us to sanitize our hands. Customers and actors alike all wore facial coverings which made things odd to say the least.
When I first toured Deranged back in 2018 the prevailing notion that I came away with could be summarized in a single word: potential. My experience this year was much the same in that regard, and that isn’t to suggest that Deranged hasn’t improved or expanded in that time because I feel it has done both.
I think the greatest strength of the outdoor attraction is the various scenes and structures that dot the haunted trail. My personal favorites included a suspect ice cream truck, an abandoned arcade, and an atmospheric movie theater that possessed an old-timey charm. These areas are complimented well by unexpected and sometimes bizarre design elements such as a full-sized school bus and an overgrown rabbit who loomed menacingly inside the arcade.
Unfortunately, too many areas simply didn’t boast the personnel with the skill set to do justice to such inventive design. Deranged is truly constructed to be an actor’s playground, but good help is hard to find even in the best of times, kids. Granted, I attended on just the second weekend of operation when actors were still likely adjusting to the unenviable task of attempting to entertain and frighten patrons without the ability to convey facial expressions while also hindered by social distancing.
This isn’t to suggest that the cast didn’t feature a handful of standouts — an expertly-costumed, ancient sorcerer traded quips as we crept through his area of the woods; elsewhere we enjoyed the routine of a nut hugger clad camp counselor who herded us into some questionable showers.
Deranged has built a solid foundation in Romulus. Battled-hardened having weathered the spitball known as COVID-19, the challenge now for the proverbial minds behind the madness is to place emphasis of their signature scenes while fortifying the ranks with more seasoned and enthusiastic performers.
Rating: 3 stars
