The young woman at the heart of Marjorie Kellogg's Castaway isn't stranded on a desert island; she's emotionally cast off from herself. With the help of a psychiatrist, Joanna struggles with her past, unleashing a torrent of emotions and memories.

Castaway opens at Santa Barbara's Ensemble Theatre Company tonight, May 23, and runs to June 8. Directing the drama is Eric S. Mills, who helped author Kellogg develop the material. The latter is the author of the novel, Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon and the screenplay of The Bell Jar. Her plays include After You've Gone and The Smile Of The Cardboard Man.

The production is part of ETC's "Theatre Zone" Second Stage program for new works and features costume designer Barbara Lackner, set designer Dan Collard and lighting designer John Arnet.

Appearing in Castaway are Devon Raymond as Joanna, Sylvia Short, Michael Kaplan, David Miller and Ron Scala.

ETC of Santa Barbara is the town's longest-running professional resident company, founded in 1979 and housed at the Alhecama Theatre. For tickets ($18-$23) and information on The Illusion, call (805) 962-8606. --By David Lefkowitz