GC's 'Radium Girls' inspired by true story
GROVE CITY — Grove City High School will present the play “Radium Girls” by D.W. Gregory at 7 p.m. Nov. 16, 17 and 18 at the high school theater, 511 Highland Ave.
Tickets are $3 for student and senior citizens and $5 for adults and will be available at the door. Presale packages are available in the high school office one week before opening night.
The play is set in 1926, when radium was considered 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, Grace finds herself battling not just with the U.S. Radium Corp., but with her own family and friends, who fear that her campaign for justice will backfire.
“Radium Girls” is a fast-moving, highly theatrical ensemble piece for 9 to 10 actors, who play more than 30 parts — friends, co-workers, relatives, attorneys, scientists, consumer advocates, and myriad interested bystanders.
Patrick McElroy is the director, Kassie Boyd is the student director and Justin Gregg is the stage manager.
Cast
Grace, Hannah Weller; Kathryn, Lauren Wright; Miss Wiley, Lily Dunn; Sob Sister, Maira DiStasi; MacNeil/Mrs. Fryer, Emily Minich;
Mrs. Roeder, Genevieve Harvey; Marie Curie/elderly widow/photographer, Hanna Srour; Irene/board member 1/store owner, Abbey Frey;
Shopgirl/photographer 2/board member 3/public, Georgia Coulter; Harriet/society woman, Abbey Weller; Mrs. Michaels/board member 2, Grace Messer; Clerk/customer, Ellie Chuzie;
Roeder, John Wishing; Lee/Bailey/lovesick cowboy/court, Cody Wilson; Berry/Martland/Flinn, Ethan Hines; Tom/drinker, Noah Voltz; Reporter/Knef/Venecine salesman, Nick Paparone; and Markley/Von Sochock, Corban Dunn.
