The Acrosstown Repertory Theatre's latest show comes with a disclaimer: It's intended for those age 13 and older.
The warning is necessary, director Aran Graham said, because the show contains harsh language and violence. The play, "Oleanna," deals with the issue of sexual harassment.
"Oleanna" opens Friday and will show through Nov. 13. Performances will be on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Acrosstown Theatre, 619 S. Main St.
The play depicts a conflict between a floundering college student and her professor, which escalates into allegations of sexual harassment. Whether these accusations are true or imagined is for the audience to decide.
There are two sides to the story, at least, Graham said.
He also said there is a possibility some audience members could find the show offensive. But that's art, he said, and art is meant to be subjective.
On Sundays, the actors will engage the audience in a post-show "talk back" discussion about the play, the issues it raised and its opinions.
The prospect of these discussions excites Kiri Cutts, one of the play's two stars. She hopes people will be inspired enough to want to stay and talk, even argue, about the show. The audience members aren't the only ones who will benefit from the talk backs. Cutts says they will also show her different perspectives on the story.
"We don't want to present our characters and present the story in a way that leaves everyone thinking the same thing," she said.
The theater group is offering the community another chance to get involved with a preview performance Thursday. Rather than selling tickets for this show, the theater is asking for a donation to Peaceful Paths, a local nonprofit organization that advocates on behalf of domestic abuse victims.
"We recognize the reality of the problem - that there are instances of abuse and people in those situations are entitled to all the help they can get," said Jerry Rose, chairman of the theater's promotions and marketing committee.
The benefit, Rose said, was Graham's idea. He wanted people in the community to deal productively with a controversial issue.
"At the same time we are entertaining and informing," Rose explained. "We can try to be good citizens and help those in the community."
He hopes actions like this will reinforce the idea that those involved aren't "just a bunch of weirdos."
Both Graham and Rose feel the show is consistent with Acrosstown's role in the community. The theater aims to produce plays or musicals that are edgy or offbeat, Rose said. Graham emphasized value of creating a discourse.
"You want to keep talking about it after the car ride home," he said. "To me that's the mark of a great show."
This is Graham's first time directing at the Acrosstown RepertoryTheatre. Graham saw the theatre's production of "The Elephant Man" earlier this year and submitted a proposal for this production of "Oleanna."
The Acrosstown Theatre opened in Gainesville in 1980. The actors, directors and other theater staff are all volunteers. Each season the theater asks would-be directors to submit proposals for a show they would like to produce at the theater and the best are chosen to create the theater's line up. Acrosstown Theatre is currently preparing for its 2012-2013 season.
Tickets for "Oleanna" can be purchased at Book Gallery West at 4121 NW 16th Blvd. They will also be sold at the door 30 minutes before each performance. Cash and checks only are accepted at the door. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students, military, educators and seniors.
Kiri Cutts and Mark Woollett star in the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre's production of "Oleanna."
