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Theater preview: ‘Body Awareness,’ by Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble

BLOOMSBURG – While the rest of the country may commemorate Eating Disorders Week, in Shirley, Vermont, it’s dubbed Body Awareness Week – or at least that’s how it is in “Body Awareness,” the play that kicks off the 2016-17 season of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble.

Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Baker’s “serious comedy” has 7:30 p.m. performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. matinees on Sundays, now though Oct. 9 at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center St.

It’s “Body Awareness” week at the fictional Shirley State College in Vermont, and Phyllis, one of the organizers, and her partner Joyce, whose adult son Jared may or may not have Asperger’s syndrome, are hosting one of the visiting artists. But Frank’s presence as a freelance photographer of nude females creates lots of tension within the household.

Heading the four person cast are Cassandra Pisieczko as Phyllis and Elizabeth Dowd as Joyce. Phyllis is furious at Frank and his sleazy depictions of women while Joyce is curious and intrigued, going so far as to offer to pose for him.

James Goode is Frank, the photographer whose knowledge of Jewish prayers – because he was married to a Jew for 10 years – impresses Jared. As the newest official BTE member, Eric Wunsch is socially challenged but intellectual Jared, who is obsessed with losing his virginity. Frank, after bonding with the 21-year-old, gives Jared a sexually graphic deception of how to.

With stellar acting and crackling dialogue “Body Awareness” carries a “mature” rating for its “embarrassing adult situations and mature content.” The show runs 90 minutes with no intermission.

BTE’s Richard Cannady both directs and designs the musical snippets which play between the multiple scenes as the conflicted action moves from Phyllis and Joyce’s home to the college lecture hall.

Although the plays focus on our culture’s obsession with appearances may nudge some theatrergoers out of their comfort zone, “Body Awareness” is a highly relevant production, one that keenly serves as a catalyst for needed discussion of issues which every flawed individual faces.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.bte.com.

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