The topics of religion, sexuality and forgiveness are all rolled into one when the dramatic play Dapples and Grays begins at 8 p.m. tonight at the Greylight Theatre in Murphysboro.

Director Brian Belzer, whose talent was seen in McCleod Theatre’s production of Cocaine in Province Town Players, makes the transition from directing a story of integrity and disposition to tackling the heavy topics involved with Dapples and Gray.

It’s a challenging play because it deals with the issue of change, Belzer, a graduate student in directing, said. Change is something that most people don’t deal with well, especially when the change has to do with religion and sexuality.

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Emmy-award winning playwright and head of playwrighting at SIUC David Rush said Dapples and Grays is a story about a priest that was called to the bedside of a man who attempted to commit suicide by swallowing carbolic acid.

In the week that it takes the young man to recover, the priest and young man fall in love. In the end they help each other complete their own individual spiritual journeys.

The title of the play is taken from a point in the performance where one of the characters recalls a nursery rhyme about wild horses running away.

Dapples in Grays are wild horses. The priest and the other man are those wild horses coming together, Rush said.

The story idea came from a friend of Rush’s who told him of a similar situation that happened in Chicago. Rush’s curiosity led him to explore the relationship of two individuals in similar circumstances. His exploration led him to write the play Dapples and Grays five years ago.

Rush’s work laid dormant until Belzer’s directing accomplishments caught his eye.

I saw some of his work and asked him if he wanted to do a play of mine. He read it and liked it. Then we approached Don Eldwell at the Greylight Theatre, Rush said. He agreed we could do the play at his space. I turned the production over to Brandon and he’s been handling it ever since.

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With both the actors and Belzer carrying heavy course loads and being active participants in other activities, the word Belzer uses to describe the production is challenging.

It’s a challenge. Both of the actors and I are busy with full school loads. This makes it tough to get the energy to make it through rehearsals, Belzer said.

But Belzer said the talent of the actors are the driving force that keeps the play rolling.

Randy [Rittenhouse] and Jason [Hedrick] are really talented actors, he said. We have a really good working relationship. Their talent makes my job easier.

Hedrick, who plays the role of the priest, has performed in a number of plays. Hedrick has been attending rehearsals for three different plays at the same time.

Although he admits he is tired, his desire to perform at the Greylight Theatre, respect for the playwright and attachment to the piece keeps him going.

The play is an interesting blend of wonderful comedy in a really tragic situation, Hedrick said. It’s a fantastic piece of writing. Religion, sexuality and forgiveness are all the things that make us human.

Furthermore, I see the Greylight Theatre as one of the few true community theater’s in the area. I would love to do some work there.

Belzer hopes the hard work he and the actors put into the play cause the audience to reflect on the lives they lead.

I want the play to be a cathartic event, he said. I want the audience to leave the theater thinking about how honestly they’re living their lives.

FACTOID:The Greylight Theatre is located in the Douglass School Art Place, 900 Douglas St., Murphysboro.

The performances begin at 8 p.m. and will run Friday and Saturday and at the same times the following weekend.

For reservations, call 687-1566.