Mustang Drama performs “Radium Girls” this weekend

“Radium Girls”, written by D.W. Gregory, is a gripping drama based on the true story of female laborers who were poisoned and killed by radium-based paint used in the New Jersey factory where they painted watch dials. Though “Radium Girls” ranges from 1918 through the 1940’s, the bulk of the narrative is centered on events in New Jersey in the mid 1920’s.

“Radium Girls” tells the story of Grace Fryer, played by Delaney Teague, and her friends who paint watch dials in the U.S. Radium Plant. The girls are instructed to finely point their brushes by molding the bristles with their mouths while painting.

Grace Fryer, played by Delaney Teague, grapples with her decision to leave her job at U.S. Radium, and tries to explain to her fiance Tom Kreider, played by Dylan Buchanan.

The factory’s new owner, Arthur Roeder, played by Ayyoob Shuibat, is excited by radium’s promising future and believes in the company’s potential for growth. Roeder’s mindset is supported by Marie Curie, the internationally famous scientist, who believes radium provides many health benefits and could even cure cancer.

But soon many of the the girls begin to notice disturbing health issues, and one of their co-workers dies. The plant tries to keep the girls who are getting sicker from talking to the press, push back their court dates, and deflect any negativity toward the company. Some of the surviving girls finally get settlements and medical coverage for the rest of their shortened lives.

Director Melanie Smith said each year, the fall production alternates between a comedy and a drama, and this year “Radium Girls” provides her actors an opportunity to perform a gripping and passionate drama that uncovers a forgotten part of American history.

“I did some research and found this story has been covered up all these years,” Smith said. “Most of the public has never heard about this, which attests to how much the owners of these radium companies covered this story up. I continued down my rabbit hole, learning more about the real life of these girls and just knew it was a story we needed to share.”

Smith said in her research about the real-life Radium Girls, she learned that their graves still emit a measurable amount of radiation, more than 100 years after their deaths. And as for the watch dials, radium was still being used into the 1960s, a testament to the powerful cover-up of the companies using the radioactive substance.

Scientist Marie Curie, played by Sanne van Lammeren, discovered radium and tells reporters and the public it is a miracle cure, lending her credibility to the radioactive substance.

“These students always make me proud. Anyone who has never seen a Mustang drama production is truly missing out. This show is a must see even if you don’t know a member of the cast you need to hear this story,” Smith said.