“Ugly Lies the Bone,” written by New York-based playwright Lindsey Ferrentino, focuses on coping with the mental wounds of war through virtual reality, according to a Bloomington Playwrights Project press release.
The show was developed at the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, Florida Studio Theater, GPTC and Premiere Stages.
In the story, war veterans “can walk through the snow and have snowball fights with penguins” using a device similar to the Oculus Rift glasses, said Chad Rabinovitz, BPP’s producing artistic director.
“It’s designed to distract their senses so that they forget about the pain,” ?Rabinovitz said.
“Ugly Lies the Bone” centers on Jess, played by Christianna Nelson. Nelson has also performed off-Broadway and in classic and modern plays, according to a BPP press release.
“(It’s) beautifully written,” she said. “One of the most beautiful plays I’ve ever read.”
In the play, Jess has just returned from war burned and broken. Finding her old world in turmoil, she must, as Rabinovitz said, “readapt to the life that she left ?behind.”
Although the play ?incorporates new technology and virtual reality, Rabinovitz said he wouldn’t consider it to be science fiction.
“The play is based on that research and that new method of helping to cure severely wounded war vets ... It’s very much not science fiction. It’s very much a reality,” Rabinovitz said. “By the time she’s come back, her whole world is changed, and she’s physically changed, and as a war veteran that’s not uncommon.”
Despite the play’s depiction of Jess’ struggles, Nelson said Jess still retains her humor.
“She is independent and strong, she’s struggling a lot and is trying to make the best of a bad situation,” ?she said.
Nelson also said Jess’ struggles are not unlike real situations, such as interacting with her boyfriend and her sister.
The play is directed by David Anspaugh, an Emmy Award-winning producer and IU grad. He is also the director of the film “Hoosiers,” according to the?release.
“David is one of the loveliest people in Bloomington,” Rabinovitz said. “He’s clearly a very gifted director, and it’s been a treat to be able to watch him adapt those film skills to stage.”
Nelson said her experience working with Anspaugh has been positive.
“In our 35-year history, I think this will be the most-produced BPP show across the country,” Rabinovitz said. “Everyone’s gonna do this show soon, but it will have started here.”
The play will be shown at 7:30 p.m. April 3-4, 9-11 and 16-18 in Bloomington Playwrights Project theater at 107 W. Ninth St., according to the release.
To purchase tickets, call 812-323-3020 or go to the Buskirk-Chumley Theater at 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.
Tickets can also be purchased at the door and ?online.
