The Marshall University School of Music and Theater will open this semester’s program Wednesday with “Mauritius,” a drama about the cutthroat business of post stamp collecting.

The play is directed by associate professor Nicole Perrone, who said the story may not be just about stamps.

“It’s so much about these relationships, particularly between the sisters,” Perrone said. “The value that they place on those items versus the value they place on each other and their relationships. I think that it’s interesting to watch that unfold as the play goes on. “

The play features the semi-casual use of vulgar language, which Perrone said was to build on the sense of modern reality the play tries to paint.

“We have disclaimers all over the box office and everything telling people ‘okay, be warned, there’s profanity, there’s adult language,’” Perrone said. “But honestly, if anybody who’s watching this play subscribed to Netflix, or HBO, or Showtime you can turn on something far more profane than this any day of the week. I think that this is, culturally, where our entertainment has gone.”

Perrone said that the writer of the play Theresa Rebeck, produces material for television shows, relating this to the futuristic tone of the play.

Costume coordinator Julie Jackson, along with student Stephanie Frasher, worked to build a grassroots character design to build more personal and unique clothing.

“I would say a hundred percent of the inspiration came from watching the movement exercises that Nicole made,” Jackson said.

Jackson said the costume designs include a little “damage,” including some scarring on Ethan Lyvers’ character Sterling and the seemingly mature figure of Mandy Harper’s character Mary.

“Every once in a while I think it is important to choose plays that reflect what is current and contemporary in the American theatre,” Perrone said.

“Mauritius” will run until Saturday, picking back up from Feb. 25 to Feb. 27 for a final run.

The actors will take center stage at 7:30 p.m. for all performances in the Francis-Booth Experimental Theater in the Joan C. Edwards Playhouse.

Marshall students may access the event for free with their ID cards, with general admission ranging from $15 to $20.

Ryan Fischer can be contacted at [email protected].