Submitted Photo The cast of the Fredonia Department of Theatre and Dance production of “Radium Girls” includes, from left, Grace Lattanzio as Kathryn Schaub, Alice Khekt as Grace Fryer, and Felixcia Yeboah as Irene Rudolph. The Walter Gloor Mainstage Series event opens Dec. 1 in Bartlett Theatre.

The Walter Gloor Mainstage Series at the State University of New York at Fredonia continues as the Department of Theatre and Dance presents the historical drama “Radium Girls” from Dec. 1 to 4 in Bartlett Theatre.

Written by D.W. Gregory, “Radium Girls” is set in 1926, when radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and glow-in-the-dark watches the latest rage.

That was until the women who painted the watches began to fall ill.

Inspired by a true story, “Radium Girls” traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court seeking compensation for the suffering she and others suffered in the name of profit.

Director Daniel Lendzian, of the Theatre and Dance faculty, said D.W. Gregory’s play is highly theatrical in nature.

“Realistic scenes are followed by scenes that comment on the time, place, and action of the story, and are shepherded by two reporter characters,” Lendzian said. “The shifts in time and tone allow the piece to comment on just treatment in the workplace, the relationship between shareholders and workers, commercialization, responsibility, the cost of justice, and the realization of the truth.”

The director said the play “provides incredible acting and design opportunities for our students.”

More than 60 students are involved in this Mainstage production.

“It features an incredible cast, playing over 30 roles,” Lendzian said. “The designs for the piece are really incredible and the creativity used to create the production is second to none.”

The director hopes audience will leave with “an appreciation for a historical event that would not have happened except for the brave women who stood up for worker’s rights.”

“I hope they consider that people’s ‘evil’ actions are often self motivated, and they are blind to the hurt that they are causing to the world and others,” he said. “The only way to change is to see. I

hope they celebrate of all of the education and training that the students receive at Fredonia, and enjoy ‘Radium Girls.'”

Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1; Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3 with 2 p.m. matinees on Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4.

Tickets are available through the Campus Ticket Office, by phone at 716-673-3501 and online at fredonia.edu/tickets.

“Radium Girls” is presented through special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing Company.