Bullying and hatred are issues that are taken on in Stage III Community Theatre's current production, "The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds"

The play, by Paul Zindel, won the Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama in 1971 but the issues it addresses are, sadly, still very relevant today. "The show deals with family conflict, and how some people deal with bullying both inside and outside of the home," says director AJ Guillen, "how some people are able to grow from a situation of strife, and then others crumble under the pressure that is their life."

According to Stage III:

"The play focuses on Beatrice and her two teenage daughters, Ruth and Tillie. Beatrice, a bitter and verbally abusive woman, takes her frustrations out on the girls. Her anger has left Ruth damaged and unstable, but Tillie, a bright student, finds hope and wonder through science. Like the marigolds she studies in her science fair project, her own spirit is proof that beauty can bloom even in adverse circumstances."

Guillen says chose this show to direct because he wanted to do something that would make people think about the hatred and bullying that go on in the world. "I Always like to do shows in theatre which mean something to the times, or related to the situations that we face in our daily lives," he says. "I felt I needed to do something to show people you can get over these situations or you can grow from situations you feel that you don't feel you have an escape in."

The cast includes Tricia Lovelace as Beatrice, Julia Conte as Ruth, Sammi Saunders as Tillie, Amber Ordiway as Janice, and Pat Greiner as Nanny.

The remaining performances are September  21st, 22nd, 23rd, 29th, and 30th at 7:30 p.m and an October 1st matinee at 2 pm.

Advance tickets are available at the Cadillac Cowgirl and online at stageiiitheatre.org, or at the door starting one hour before each performance.

Stage III performances are produced with support from the Wyoming Arts Council, made possible through the National Endowment for the Arts and the Wyoming State Legislature.

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