The Water Children to run January 24-28

Southern Theatre will present Wendy McLeod’s The Water Children at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 24-28 at the Bud Walton Theatre.

Melissa Rutledge will direct the production.

The lead character, Megan, is a 36-year-old unmarried actress who is offered the leading role in a series of anti-abortion commercials for a pro-life organization.

Accepting the role becomes a complicated moral decision when she must choose between following her own moral code and paying the rent.

Megan begins to date Randall, the pro-life organization's director, trying to put her beliefs aside.However, their romance is shattered when things become even more complicated.

The title of the play comes from the Orient. In Buddhist mythology, “water children” are unborn souls not ready to be welcomed into this world who are returned to the spirit world in order to await a more propitious time to be born.

A reviewer for The New York Times wrote, “With its mixture of romance, humor and sadness as it addresses the issue of abortion, The Water Children, by Wendy MacLeod, is fascinating."

The production is rated "M" for mature audiences and may include explicit language and/or action.

For theatre production information or requests for accommodations related to a disability, call Terri Spencer at (417) 625-9393. Accommodations for disabilities should be made at least 72 hours prior to the production. For reservations, contact the MSSU Box Office at (417) 625- 9393.

Rachel Roberts, sophomore theater major (right), Shannon Martinous, senior music major (left) and Gavin Gardner, freshman undecided major (back) play in "The Water Children" slated for Jan. 24-28. The play, directed by Melissa Rutledge, will take place in the Bud Walton Theater.