Drinking is something most college students enjoy discussing.

Throughout next week, a workshop performance of Drinking in America, a play written about the inebriation of the American dream, will be performed at the Citizens Bank Theatre.

The one-man-show focuses on 12 characters, all of which are entranced with the American dream. Jonathan Masorti, a local chiropractor and Penn State alumnus, is a professional actor who is the one man in the show.

The entire production is a workshop piece that is still developing, director Lisa Price said. With its minimal use of props and sets, the show borders on performance art, Price said.

The characters in America include a heroin addict, a tile salesman and a preacher, each having their own different vision of the American dream, and each are affected by it differently, Masorti said.

He also said the range of characters portrayed is so varied, and they are different types of people the audience can interact with.

"Central Pennsylvania needs to see this cross-section of America," he said.

Masorti said this is the most challenging piece he's acted in because, typically, he's cast as "the good guy." Masorti also said that some of the characters he plays are heroic and some are questionable, but it's important to him not to let his own views color his acting.

"It's a challenge for me. I don't judge my characters -- I'm not in a position to judge them morally," Masorti said. "I'm trying to create a positive emotion where I can understand their decisions."

The name of the show may be misleading; the show is really not about drugs and alcohol, but rather about consuming the American dream, Masorti said.

The play was written by Eric Bogosian in the mid-'80s, but Price said the issues are still important and are not dated.

"The same constants exist -- people are always shooting for the American dream," Price said. "You always wish you were somewhere else."

Drinking In America is not typical theatre -- it's for 20- and 30-year-olds to enjoy without having to wear a dress shirt and or watch a musical, Price said. The show gives this demographic a chance to enjoy a raw production that has no political statements or underlying suggestions Ã~ somewhat entertainment for the sake of entertainment, she said.

"There's no holds barred. We're not afraid to be nutty," Price said. "It's an opportunity for the audience to be allowed to laugh at innuendoes and enjoy themselves."

Local DJ and program director at 98.7 QWK Rock, Troy Craig, makes a cameo appearance to introduce one character.

Craig said his role in Drinking in America is his first acting experience.

"You can't anticipate at all what the audience will take away. I hope they see what I see," he said.

Throughout the show, Masorti said, it becomes clear that the inebriation his characters experience is not necessarily a good thing.

"It's not always good to be intoxicated -- you can get sick from the American dream," he said.