Radium+Girls

//** Radium Girls **// //** Comedy/Drama. By D.W. Gregory. **// Directed by Jessica Speck (Jessica_L_Speck@mcpsmd.org) // Cast: 4 to 5 m., 5 w. with doubling. May be expanded to 30 or more // In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and luminous watches the latest rage until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story, // Radium Girls // traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. Her chief adversary is her former employer, Arthur Roeder, an idealistic man who cannot bring himself to believe that the same element that shrinks tumors could have anything to do with the terrifying rash of illnesses among his employees. As the case goes on, however, Grace finds herself battling not just with the U.S. Radium Corporation, but with her own family and friends, who fear that her campaign for justice will backfire. Written with warmth and humor, // Radium Girls // is a fast-moving, highly theatrical ensemble piece for 9 to 10 actors, who play more than 30 parts friends, co-workers, lovers, relatives, attorneys, scientists, consumer advocates, and myriad interested bystanders. Called a "powerful" and "engrossing" drama by critics, // Radium Girls // offers a wry, unflinching look at the peculiarly American obsessions with health, wealth, and the commercialization of science. // Approximate running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes. One intermission. Unit set with simple props. //
 * AUDITIONS ** will be held afterschool in Room 133 on Thursday & Friday December 17 & 18 from 2:30-4:30pm. Sign up for an audition time slot the beginning of that week (December 14). Auditions will be cold readings.
 * REHEARSALS ** will begin on Tuesday January 12 (the day after strike for One Acts).
 * PERFORMANCES ** are February 25, 26 & 27 at 7:30pm.