As you head out to Washington Hall this weekend to watch the St. Ed's Players' production of "Betty's Summer Vacation," make sure you leave something behind.

"Leave your inhibitions at the door," said Lena Caligiuri.

Caligiuri plays Trudy in Christopher Durang's dark satire on American sensationalism and its thirst for entertainment at the expense of others.

Trudy and her friend Betty head off to the New Jersey shore to summer in a house that is, unknown to them, already occupied by Keith, a quiet serial killer, and Buck, the stereotypical, testosterone-filled sexist. Trudy's alcoholic, emotionally abusive mother, Mrs. Siezmagraff, arrives shortly after the girls.

The situation becomes more bizarre when characters begin to hear voices coming from the ceiling. The voices monitor the characters' fears and fantasies, egging them on and mocking them. The voices react to the characters as if they are watching a sitcom or daytime television show, and the characters begin to behave with the intention of keeping the omnipresent voices laughing. Eventually, the voices drive the characters to irrational actions, including rape, dismemberment and murder.

"The voices in the ceiling laugh and talk; they make you ask why you laugh at something. They make you ask why you think something is funny," said Bill Kalman, president of the St. Ed's Players and director of the play.

When asked why he chose the particular play, Kalman said that while browsing through plays, "Betty's" bright cover jumped out at him.

"I read it, and it was good, it was funny," he said.

In spite of the whimsical title and its classification as a comedy, "Betty" deals with the darker elements of life, including rape, murder and alcoholism. Trudy experienced sexual abuse at the hands of her father, though her mother refused to acknowledge the fact. Other sensitive and potentially offensive interactions take place throughout the play.

"You have to desensitize yourself to some of the things your character says and does," said Jessica Manske, who plays Trudy's contemptible mother. "You have to pretend that you don't know the things you are saying are completely ridiculous."

The things that Trudy's mother and the other characters say are indeed ridiculous, and will shock some, though it will leave others laughing.

"You have to be able to laugh it off and know that Durango isn't meant to be taken seriously," said Caligiuri. "If you don't, you will be offended."

Those who can laugh it off, or at least appreciate the theme of the play, will notice the striking similarity between the voices in the ceiling and the American public.

"It's a commentary on the television viewing public and its obsession with publicity," said Meghann Tabor, who plays Betty, the sole sane role in the play.

The voices demand outrageous behavior from the characters, laughing at their plights and misery in much the same way the public clamors for sensational stories. America's recent obsession with reality shows perfectly reflects the theme of "Betty," as television audiences eagerly revel in the pain, misery or fear of those participating.

"I've tried to write in things during the scene changes that weren't in the play just to make people think about the theme," said Kalman. "I'm trying to make the tone of play like a television show."

Kalman hopes that the commentary between the scenes, as well as additional segments that reflect the nature of television, will further the sense of a television dynamic.

Another way that Kalman looks to implement his idea is through the set. Washington Hall main stage has been transformed by set designer Sean Quinn into a large, neon green room with touches of bright pink. The set and the supplementary props are elaborately built and painted to reflect the surreal world of television. Quinn, a fifth year architecture student, acknowledges that the set has taken a lot of effort.

"It's the whole architecture thing, you go too far," he said.

But going too far is what "Betty's Summer Vacation" is all about. What can one expect from a play in which all characters but one are insane?

"Well, Trudy tries to be sane, but she never quite manages it," said Caligiuri.

"The play needs a Betty," said Tabor, "or it would be completely off the wall and things would get too out of hand."

As it is, the play promises to be as off the wall as Betty will let it get.

Whether the events in the play leave audience members laughing or shocked, they will go away thinking about Durango's message, which is exactly what the cast and director of "Betty's Summer Vacation" want to happen.

"Betty's Summer Vacation" runs this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Washington Hall. Tickets for the St. Ed's Players production are available at LaFortune Box office or at the door for $5.

• "Betty's Summer Vacation"