Vernon Township High School to present 'Radium Girls'

VERNON — Vernon Township High School students will perform 'Radium Girls' on Nov. 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m.

The play depicts the true story of the young workers who fell ill from radium poisoning and took on their corporate employer.

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 (portrayed by Emily Moreno) a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. Her chief adversary is her former employer, Arthur Roeder (performed by Steven Lohwin) 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 the 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.

Tickets are $10 and are available at the door.