MARYSVILLE – Red Curtain’s next performance is much more than the play “Body Awareness.”

It will also feature a local artist and/or expert presenting a topic related to body awareness and body image.

This dark comedy features a small ensemble of actors bringing to light modern issues – including same sex marriage, autism, body image and sexuality, and the conflict between art and censorship – in a humorous and sometimes uncomfortable way.

Directed by Scott B Randall, the cast includes Erin Carter, Cara Thomas, Jacey Leavitt and John Klise.

In the play:

It’s Body Awareness Week on a Vermont college campus and Phyllis, the organizer, and her partner, Joyce, are hosting one of the guest artists in their home: Frank, a photographer famous for his female nude portraits. Both his presence in the home and his chosen subject instigate tension from the start. Phyllis is furious at his depictions, but Joyce is actually rather intrigued by the whole thing, even going so far as to contemplate posing for him. As Joyce and Phyllis bicker, Joyce’s adult son, who may or may not have Asperger syndrome, struggles to express himself physically – with heartbreaking results.

“Body Awareness” contains very mature subject matter and language. It is not recommended for children.

The play starts Jan. 19 and runs through Feb. 4. Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 8 and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the Red Curtain Arts Center, 9315 State Ave, Suite J. For tickets and other details, visit www.redcurtainfoundation.org or www.facebook.com/RedCurtainFoundation.