The Waiting Room, a drama dealing with women's health issues, opens with the Valencia High School Theatre adapted to a "black box" format on Monday, March 12, and closes Friday, March 16. All show times are at 7p.m.

The Waiting Room deals with women's beauty as seen through the eyes of a male-dominated society. There are three women who are waiting in a doctor's office to be treated for their specific physical ailments, each woman from a different time period of world history.

Forgiveness From Heaven, played by Bavani Selvarajah, is a woman from 18th century China who suffers from gangrene after years of foot-binding.

Victoria Smoot, played by Emily Fleischer, is a woman from Victorian England who has several psychological problems, but is suffering mostly from the side effects of wearing a corset since the age of 14.

Wanda Kozynski, played by Jenny Loring, is from present-day New Jersey and is dealing with breast cancer after problems related to her breast implants.

The play was written by Lisa Loomer, the screenwriter of the film Girl Interrupted. The play was first produced 13 years ago at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles and moved to New York a few years later.

Because of the subtle themes and characters in the play, the Valencia High School Theatre will be turned into a "black box" theatre for the run of the show. This means that only 68 seats are available for each night's performance, with the audience surrounded by the characters and action.

Due to the mature nature of the play, some material may not be appropriate for children under the age of 13. Although some of the plot line may seem to have a very dark tone to it, Loomer engages the audience with several ironic and humorous characters, including several comical male characters who bring new meaning to the phrase, "Men are from Mars and women are from Venus."

Valencia drama teacher Steve Whelan is director.

All of the proceeds from the program advertisements will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors and $8 for adults. Information and reservations are available by calling (661) 294-1188, extension 522.