What would you do for sex? Would you start a war? Would you stop one?

Set against the backdrop of the Peloponnesian War fought between Athens and Sparta, Lysistrata takes on a new context in today's conflicts. Meant to demonstrate the ways in which women can impact society, the play is focused on the Athenian woman Lysistrata and her LBP, or Lysistrata's Brilliant Plan as she refers to the plan during the play. Which is to have all the women withhold sex until the men stop fighting.

Trisha Todd and cast members read through the Lysistrata script. Photo by Sam Weiss.

Last year's musical Rhino Provino made a statement about race and racism telling the story of a black African rhino captured in the wild and set to perform in a circus. Lysistrata also strives to give the readers more than mere entertainment. The theater department hopes to make a statement on war, its destructive power, its allure to those who would misuse it, and the differences it brings out between men and women.

The play is also a comedy and the script is packed with innuendos and outright details concerning the mens plight. Lysistrata lets no scene finish without one phallic joke sneaking in. All of the men, who are desperate for sex and don't care who knows it, are constantly pining for the women's affections. Satirical choruses meant to give an introduction to each scene often include stand-up gags as comic relief for a play where no man can find relief.

Todd, one of the two theatre teachers at Grant, will be doing her best to make the transition from ancient Greece to… well ancient Greece but with more modern speech, into a setting that will appeal to the audience. The cast will be working off a blending of two different scripts, but Todd also imbues the play with her own special ambiance. She tries to always add singing, dancing, and music to the plays she directs hoping for a more vibrant experience for both actor and audience.

Caitlin Goldie and Kaitlyn Acock will be playing the lead, Lysistrata, in a double cast play. For anyone able to see the play twice it will be a new experience for them the second time, similar yet different, the way every snowflake is unique but they all end up getting you wet. This is the second comedy piece that Acock will be involved in and she really wants to "see if the sarcasm flows" during the play.

Referring to the Grant theater department as a "great community" she really enjoys all of the experimentation they do in different scenes, looking for just the right way to perform it. As Acock prepares to walk out on stage and be Lysistrata she usually shakes out all that excess energy, centers herself, and then just takes care of business.

A social commentary on the likenesses of the Peloponnesian War, the Vietnam War, and all wars, Todd will do her best to push the message of peace and the laughs.

With the war in Iraq and the increased media coverage of the war of words with Iran, the ideas in this play are relevant with world events today. Todd would say to anyone questioning the "Make Love, Not War" message, that art is meant to make people think about an issue, take a stand and be ready to defend their beliefs. This play is not meant to anger its audiences only to bring them into a discussion.

The play opens with the "A" cast Jan. 31 and "B" cast Feb. 1, so if you like what you have read so far buy a ticket and go, but remember to be ready for fun, and phalluses.