Racy situation, difficult characters challenge young cast in River Campus production

Southeast Missouri State University's Theatre and Dance Department's production of "In the Boom Boom Room" opened Wednesday night, bringing some actors to the stage for the first time and placing them in racy situations.

"In the Boom Boom Room," written by Dave Raber, centers on the life and mishaps of a young woman named Chrissy (played by Lillian Johnson). In this tension-filled play, Chrissy moves away from her heartless mother Helen (Lindsay Prawitz) and sexually abusive father Harold (Kyle Morr) and takes a job as a go-go dancer at a nightclub.

On Wednesday, "In the Boom Boom Room" received a standing ovation from all 117 spectators in the Rust Flexible Theatre.

Throughout Chrissy's quest for love and determination for stardom, she encounters interesting and questionable characters: her sassy dance instructor Susan (Shannon Walton), two outlandish drunken buddies Al (Jake Ferree) and Ralphie (Ian Hamilton), her homosexual neighbor Guy (Ross Miller) and an obsessive man she briefly dates named Eric (Joe Hartz).

"We discussed the adult overtones before we ever started, so the entire cast would be on the same page," said director Amy Fritsche, a university professor. "They've embraced it and have been willing to jump into their characters."

The playbill warned theatergoers that the show included adult language, adult situations and smoking.

Johnson, a freshman, had a particularly demanding role.

"She has to cuss and doesn't normally cuss. She doesn't smoke and that was something she was especially concerned with," said Johnson's mother Lisa Martin. "She said, 'I even practice with a real cigarette.'"

Miller, another theater newbie who plays the gay neighbor, said the role caught him offguard. But he said Fritsche reminded him that the actor who plays Will in the television series "Will and Grace" is straight and has a family.

"If you're going to worry about what people think of your role, then you're not going to succeed," Miller said.

The play is set in 1967 Philadelphia. Costumes, hair and '60s music set the mood.

The play continues at 7:30 p.m. today and Friday. Tickets cost $8.50, and can be purchased at the River Campus Box Office or by calling 651-2265.