The Baker University Theatre Department is putting on its production of Ugly Lies the Bone.
Ugly Lies the Bone is about a newly discharged soldier, Jess, who has finally returned to her Florida hometown. She brings with her not only vivid memories of Afghanistan, but painful burns that have left her physically and emotionally scarred. Jess soon realizes that things at home have changed even more than she has. Through the use of virtual reality video game therapy, she builds a breathtaking new world where she can escape her pain. As Jess advances farther in the game, she begins to restore her relationships, her life, and, slowly, herself.
Lindsey Ferrentino’s transformative play was inspired by a real video game therapy called “Snow World,” currently being used to treat burn survivor veterans living in a state of perpetual pain.
Trevor Belt, theater director, selected this play for its “intimate drama that dealt with a social issue”
Jalynn Murry, who plays Jess’s older sister Kacie, Is very excited and nervous about the opening night of the show. “I’ve never been cast into a lead role,” Murray said, but that is driving her excitement and enthusiasm for the show.
Olivia Harms plays the lead role of Jess in the show. Learning to embrace the character of Jess has been very emotional for Harms, because of the character’s back story. “The physicality of Jess is harder to portray because of her appearance”. Jess is a burn survivor and half of her body is covered in burns from the trauma she experienced. Harms has been in multiple productions at Baker and she is looking forward to “share this play with an audience.”.
The show will take place in Darby Hope Theatre in Parmenter Hall on Nov. 9-11 at 7:30 PM, Nov 12 at 2 PM and Nov. 17 and 18 at 7:30 PM.
