The Department of Dramatic Arts presents The Blue Room this month.

How does one distinguish between realistic expectations and romantic ideals?

The Department of Dramatic Arts explores this question in their production of David Hare’s The Blue Room: A Play in Ten Intimate Acts, running Feb. 14 to 16 at the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre.

The Blue Room is a reflection on men and women, sex and social class, and the shifting status of relationships, both social and personal, while looking at casual sexual encounters as a mostly unsatisfactory substitute for human connection.

The production is David Hare’s 1998 adaptation of Schnitzler’s Reigen (La Ronde), first produced in 1921. Directed by Virginia Reh, with scenography by David Vivian, and lighting by Ken Garrett, this second main stage production of the Department of Dramatics 2012/13 season showcases the talents of undergraduate students Erica Charles, Kevin Chew, Emma Strong, Michael Caccamo, Rachelle Lauzon, Nick Leno, Shauna James, Chris Chapman, Kendra Neaves, Matt Da Costa, Stephanie Neale, and assistant director Jessie Robinson.

“While moving away from the oft-cited daisy chain configuration of the play, we are pursuing the idea of random connection and separation, like particles bouncing off each other,” Reh said. “The circularity of the structure evokes dances and rituals. We are also interrogating various aspects of risk.”

Performances are nightly at 7:30 p.m., with a matinée on Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, $10 for groups, and $5 for the eyeGo high school ticket program.

This play contains scenes with nudity, sexual content and mature language.

They are available from the Centre for the Arts Box Office at 905.688.5550 x3257 or online.

For more information about this production, visit the Department of Dramatic Arts.

Such productions from the Department of Dramatic Arts are an integral part of the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts’ mandate to build connections between the community and the breadth of talent and creativity at Brock University.