Juicy Fruit gum and modern music are the "demons" that threaten to corrupt the younger generation in two one-act works by School of Drama student Karen Hartman, which will be presented on Monday, April 28, as part of the playreading series "Yale Playwrights at the Rep: Plays by the Graduating Class."
The reading of the two plays, "Gum" and "The Mother of Modern Censorship," will be held at 7 p.m. in the drama school's Experimental Theater, 222 York St. The public may attend the event free of charge; however, due to space limitations, reservations are required. To make a reservation, call 432-1570.
Ms. Hartman's plays, both of which are inspired by true events, are set in fictional fundamentalist countries where day-to-day life is infused with sometimes-ridiculous, sometimes-terrifying restrictions.
"Gum" is set in a culture where Juicy Fruit gum is banned due to its rumored ability to ignite lustful behavior in innocent young girls. The play focuses on two sisters who are forced to chew the smuggled treat under layers of heavy veils. In the world of "The Mother of Modern Censorship," music is seen as a demonic force that preys on the moral well-being of the nation's youth. The play follows the exploits of the Chief Music Censor and her assistant as they struggle to hold onto the task of squelching smut in the face of job- threatening technological advances.
This is the fifth of six play readings in the series, which is sponsored by the School of Drama and the Yale Repertory Theatre. Actors taking part in the reading will be announced several days prior to the performance. Earlier readings have included award- winning actors Boyd Gaines, Jennifer Dundas, Marin Hinkle and Patricia Kilgarriff.