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“Radium Girls” Glows in the Dark

Playwright DW Gregory will be in attendance for post-show talk backs

Millersville University’s theatre department presents the second show in its 2017-18 season, “Radium Girls” by DW Gregory, on February 23, 24 and March 1-3 at 8 p.m., and February 25 and March 4 at 2 p.m. Playwright DW Gregory will be in attendance for post-show talk backs on March 3 and 4. Guest directed by Joanna Underhill, the show will be held in the Rafters Theatre in Dutcher Hall, located on the Millersville campus.

In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity and “glow-in-the-dark” watches the latest rage—until the girls who painted the dials began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Based on true events, the story focuses on one of the girls as she fights for her day in court. This moving and inspiring play offers an unflinching look at the American obsession with health, wealth and the commercialization of science.

In addition to Joanna Underhill, two other local theater professionals, designers John J. Whiting and Anthony Lascoskie, Jr., have contributed to this production.

Joanna Underhill (Director) earned a B.A. in Theatre Arts at Penn State University, an M.A. in Children’s Theatre and Creative Drama from Northwestern University and an M. Ed. In School Counseling from Millersville University. She currently serves as the assistant director of the Philadelphia Alumni Writers House at Franklin & Marshall College. She is also a teaching artist at the Fulton Theatre, board chair for Creative Works of Lancaster and a member of the sketch comedy troupe Happy Time Explosion Show.

John Whiting (Scenic and Lighting Designer) has designed lighting for the Amish Experience, Lancaster County, and for the José Greco Dance Company’s New York performances. A theater and scene design graduate of Michigan State University, John has won design awards at the national level of the American College Theater Festival.  His Green Room Theatre and Roschel Performing Arts Center credits are too numerous to mention. John designed three of the stations on the Hershey’s Chocolate World ride. He also designed sets for School for Wives at the Theatre of the Seventh Sister, and Elixir of Love and I Pagliacci for the Lancaster Opera Workshop. He has also co-designed the lights for the Navy Band Christmas concerts in Constitution Hall, as well as some Navy town hall meetings that were televised at Andrews Air Force Base to the sailors all over the world.

Anthony Lascoskie, Jr (Costume Design) Anthony is excited to be back on campus designing.  He holds a degree in Business and Art from Millersville University, where he also worked at the Costume Shop and designed some of his first shows.  Anthony has designed costumes and wigs for many Lancaster area theatres as well as for Playhouse on the Square in Memphis and for private clients. His favorites include costumes for La Cage aux FollesInto the Woods, and In the Heights and working on the hair for Taffetas, Into the WoodsSeussical, and Les Misérables. Besides being the Fulton’s resident makeup and wig designer, Anthony also serves as Costume Shop Supervisor and Costume Designer for select shows. Special thanks to Priscilla for lighting the spark!

“Radium Girls” is the second of three University Theatre productions this season. The third production, “Sin,” will be held in April. Find more information about this and other university shows at www.ArtsMU.com/university-arts.

 TICKETS
$10 general admission

 IN-PERSON BOX OFFICES
The Ware Center, 42 N. Prince Street, Lancaster. Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Student Memorial Center, Room 103, Millersville University campus. House: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

BY PHONE
Call the box office at 717-871-7600.

ONLINE
www.ArtsMU.com

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