These Shining Lives

The Radium Girls are coming to Lodi High School! These Shining Lives, a play written by Melanie Marnich, is set to transport audiences back to the 1920s. The story revolves around Catherine Donahue, portrayed by Madison Griffis, and her rocky experience as a watch dial painter at the Radium Dial Company. With the support of her friends and her husband, Tom Donahue, played by Bentley Smith, we see how the fight for workers’ rights was set into motion. Opening nights are scheduled for March 10, 11, and 12. The actors, actresses, and stage crew are working hard to guarantee a stirring performance!

Delving into the production details, Maddie Griffis, senior and lead role in the play, shared that “There aren’t as many props to work on compared to last year’s play, so we have more time to work on our lines and performance.” With rehearsals running smoothly, it’s looking to be a rousing success! Let’s take a closer look at some of our talented actors and actresses. Senior Kenneth Chytracek shines in the role of the Radium Dial supervisor, Mr. Reed. When asked about his approach to getting into character, Chytracek responded, “I basically just have an image of a real arrogant guy and then I just project it onto Mr. Reed.”

The performances witnessed so far have been nothing short of astonishing. The story itself is beautiful yet sad, with many powerful moments throughout the story. The roles are played beautifully, including Elaina Hatley as Catherine’s best friend, Charlotte Purcell, Miranda Risher as Frances O’Connell, and Ebony Ludeking as Pearl Payne. Additional recurring roles are expertly portrayed by Kyle Hoffman and Mac Thony. Tickets are currently available. Don’t miss your chance to witness this remarkable play—it’s an experience like no other.