Vital Signs, a mosaic of monologues about the difficulties of life is now being performed at the Boal Barn Playhouse in Boalsburg.
The play is geared towards a modern and mature audience. The public will hear about the harsh realities of our modern society such as safe sex, domestic abuse and the Cold War.
To enhance the play's impact, director Matt Brady chose to have a bare stage, no special costumes and included adult language.
Brady said the occasional use of explicit language is done tastefully because it brings authenticity to the piece.
For Suzanne Ritti, one of the 17 performers in Vital Signs, the play portrays many distressing situations but also carries a very positive message. "Vital Signs tells us that life goes on once you find something positive to hold on to," Ritti said.
The play is structured around monologues as each character tells the audience about her or his life. The lack of a partner to talk to, combined with the barren stage compels the performer to establish a strong rapport with the audience, a practice Ritti calls "breaking the fourth wall."
Ritti's said one of her roles as a cocaine addiction hotline operator is particularly challenging since she has to carry on a phone conversation with an imaginary person. Her character, who has been listening too many sordid stories, loses her temper while talking to a victim.
Ironically, her frustration is triggered by her urgent need for a diet drink --which is her personal addiction.
Ritti also plays the part of a truck stop waitress whose naive faith in the goodness of people gets her into dangerous situations.
Her last character is a wild honey collector who believes that her faith in God protects her from being stung to death.
Most of the people portrayed in playwright Jane Martin's piece are females between the ages of 22 and 60, Brady said.
Vital Signs, Brady's first directing experience, will allow the public to "walk into a lot of other people's shoes," he said.
Performances are at 8 p.m. today, tomorrow and Sunday. Single adult admission is $6 and children and senior citizens' tickets are $5.
