On Friday, February 22, the Pleasant Valley Drama Department will open their winter play, Radium Girls. The show is under the direction of PV drama faculty member Christina Myatt and recounts the life of women in the 1940s who fell ill with radium poisoning.
Junior Grace Almgren will be playing the main character, Grace Fryer. The play follows the story of Grace Fryer, who becomes ill due to radium poisoning while working as a dial painter and the lawsuit that she pursued.
Rehearsals began in early January, the cast and crew was ready to get a start on the show. Though due to unforeseen weather, the schedule looked different than initially seen. “We would even have rehearsals through cancellations, after approval [from administration],” said Almgren.
The cast consists of involved students who are also in activities such as jazz choir and other theatre events. Almgren told how they continued to stay on schedule through these difficulties. “We would block a chunk of scenes and run it once. We then spent the remaining rehearsals running through the show.”
Senior Alex Jungers explained how the majority of the cast plays multiple roles. The 10 person cast represents a total of 30 characters. Jungers shared his opinion on the cast structure. “It was really interesting to see each cast member develop these separate characters and make them different and recognizable despite the lines coming from the same person.”
Despite the unique script and unpredictable weather, the cast and crew are prepared. “Everyone has risen to the challenge, and we are in great shape,” Almgren said. She also encourages everyone to attend the production this weekend. Almgren said, “I have gotten to work with some amazing and talented people who have given their all to the play. I am so excited to show everyone our hard work.”
