Jan. 23, 2025

Contact James Stabp at 608-796-3790 or jdstabp@viterbo.edu

VITERBO UNIVERSITY CONSERVATORY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS TO PRESENT THE DRAMA THESE SHINING LIVES JAN. 31–FEB. 2

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The Viterbo University Conservatory for the Performing Arts will present the compelling historical drama These Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich Friday, Jan. 31–Sunday, Feb. 2 in the Fine Arts Center Marie LaCroix Black Box Theatre.

Based on a true story, These Shining Lives poignantly brings to light the resilience of four remarkable women who encounter the radium industry’s shimmering promise and subsequent withering betrayal. It is a story of survival in its most transcendent sense, as they refuse to allow the company that stole their health kill their spirits or endanger the lives of those who come after them.

“This is an important piece of history that isn’t taught in schools or widely known,” said director James Stabp, Viterbo assistant professor of musical theatre and acting. “This took place close to home (Illinois) in many ways, and it contains the reflections of a small town and how the people there are impacted by tragedy. The audience will be able to really see themselves there.”

Radium was used in a wide variety of products in the 1920s and 30s, and the ambitious and full-of-life young women working at Radium Dial Company in the story earned 8 cents per watch face. After painting 100 to 200 a day, their career would eventually gravely impact their families and rob them of their lives.

“The play itself moves between fact and fiction as it works to represent the intimate lives of those involved while utilizing as many known facts as possible from the workplace and subsequent court cases,” wrote Viterbo student Abbey Messing, who is serving as the dramaturg, or a literary adviser who provides vital research and information. “Its hope is not to victimize but to act as an homage and remembrance for the women and families that felt the negative effects of an America lacking an Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The proceedings paved the way for a safer future in the workplace and it was the first time a company was legally accountable for its injustices.”

Much of the play is set in an alley, with the audience seated on both sides. This makes the more intimate setting of the Black Box Theatre perfect for the production as the audience “is thrust into the characters’ lives as they go from public to private.” Stabp said. “In many ways, the audience being seated on both sides acts as a mirror to society, and how we as a country can so easily judge without knowing.”

The Viterbo production stars Helen Riddle as Catherine Donohue and Spencer Curtis as Tom Donohue. It also features Katie Kostner, Megan Wheelock, Claire Capra, and Isaac Knudsen.

“I’ve been widely impressed with the talent and hard work of the students bringing this production to life,” Stabp said.

These Shining Lives contains themes of workplace exploitation and gender discrimination that may be considered inappropriate for younger audience members.

Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31–Feb. 1 and 2 p.m. Feb. 2. Tickets are $16, plus taxes and fees. For more information or to order tickets, contact the Viterbo box office at 608-796-3100 or visit www.viterbo.edu/tickets.

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