“The Last Night of Ballyhoo,” directed by drama teacher Lacey Stanley, will be opening Nov. 21-22, and Dec. 5-6, in Stivelman Theater. The play action takes place in Atlanta, Georgia in 1939 during the Hitler invasions and the Great Depression.

The drama revolves around the personal discrimination of being Jewish in the South, showing the prejudice that existed at the time between the American-southern Jews and Eastern-European Jews. In 1997, the play won a Tony Award for Best Play and an Outer Critic’s Circle Award.

The “Ballyhoo” is a sumptuous ball for the southern Jewish wealthy elite. While some Anti-Semitism, discrimination, and themes of prejudice are explored throughout this play, it takes stern issues and mixes them with dazzling wit. Whether it is comedic relief or hilarious characters, this play has lots in store for theatre lovers.

Stanley believes that the play relates to the audience on many levels. “I actually got the idea from the Oprah Winfrey Show of how different races view themselves and their imperfections,” she said. “I believe that discrimination within race plays a universal role, and everyone can relate to the feelings or sensations of being inadequate.”

“The Last Night of Ballyhoo” superstar student cast for A and B performances includes Robert Fraust as Adolph Freitag, Deanna Siegel and Raquel Brooks as Boo Levy, Lillie Shachter and Miranda Harrison as Lala Levy, Trayshawn Martin and Aspen Cole as Sunny Freitag, Manolo Gonzalez and Troy Basoren as Joe Farkas, James Lewis as Peachy Weil, and Lavinia Giannoni as Reba Freitag.

The original play was written by Tony Award winning writer Alfred Urhy and directed by Ron Lagomarsino, nominee for “Driving Miss Daisy” in the 1987 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Director of a Play.

In 1997, the play starred Paul Rudd, best known for his work in the recent movies, “The 40 Year-Old Virgin” and “Clueless,” and Tony Award winning Dana Ivey. The play originally ran 556 performances and 24 previews on Broadway.

Stanley will be entering student scenes in drama festivals and hopes to make thematic statements stick with the audience.

The play reaches into the soul of the audience beyond the parameters of culture to elicit inner reflection. Prices are $10 for general admission and $7 with a W.A.C.