Wayland Theatriks will present “Radium Girls,” at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24.
The drama, written by D.W. Gregory, will be held at the Wayland High School Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $5 for general admission and $3 for students and senior citizens.
In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, Madame Marie 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 nine to ten 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, the play offers a wry, unflinching look at the peculiarly American obsessions with health, wealth and the commercialization of science.
