There are dozens of reasons to be at Whitaker Center, but on March 30th and April 1st, it can be said in one word: Swirlies.

And that doesn’t mean that which happens after you’ve had one too many.

No, this Swirlies is the one-woman show written and acted by Karen Gray, an up-and-coming stand-up comic turned performance artist.

A native of western Pennsylvania, Gray has been a resident of Harrisburg for ten years. Her interest in acting began when she was a child, when, she confesses, she was class clown. She says, enthusiasm just bursting from her skin, that she gets her inspiration from childhood humiliation (without providing gritty details — but we’ve all been there).

Gray has been performing for as long as she can remember, and in the last two years has concentrated solely on her solo acts. Although eventually she would like to perform on a regular basis, currently her day job is in advertising and public relations for PPO&S, an advertising and public relations firm in Harrisburg, and she also works as a freelance writer (she has recently been contributing to Central PA Magazine). Self-admittedly a pro at cheerily biting off more than she should chew, she says, "For the next few months, I’ll be talking with my mouth full!" It is obvious that Gray loves what she does, and her excitement about and anticipation of a new show portrays just that.

Gray’s characters are developed from real life, and she says that as she begins to write a play, the characters take over and tell the story, often through the stone cold eyes of reality. Very down to earth and honest, Gray reaches deep into her soul and conjures up what we might refer to as magic. She’s not afraid to tell the truth, and at the same time — in Swirlies at least — helps us to relate to our inner child.

Gray’s favorite part of performing is getting to know the audience, and it’s sure to be a mutual thing. "Audiences are their own unit, and they bring along with them a great feeling of togetherness," she says, with a twinkle in her eye. Most of her support comes from the audience, and she greatly appreciates all that they have and will continue to offer to her.

"Swirlies began last year as a very brief piece that was performed as a prelude to another theatrical production," says Gray. It was intended to be a light portrait of the author’s Jewish father, Catholic mother, and the idiosyncratic blending of philosophies they imparted to their children. After being some scrawls buried in a glove compartment for a time, Gray says she was surprised to find that it had sprouted some roots. Like a flourishing plant provided with water, this little sunflower is now twice its original length, and still growing.

The play also tells the story of Gray’s reconciliation with her family and what she learned from this experience. "It’s not just about families, its about belonging, about rules, and knowing the right thing to do," she says.

As Gray is sole performer here, she plays both men and women’s roles, and doesn’t hold back. Within this hour-long production, she tackles the parts of five different characters, each of which has had an impact on her life. In preparation for her show, Gray likes to pace around her dressing room creating a setting in her head before she gets underway with the night’s events. She doesn’t favor any one role or find one of the characters any easier to play than the others. She says, "Every night a different character takes over, and the characters relate differently with each audience."

In April of 98, Gray debuted in her first one-woman show, Blonde, Brunette, and Other Shades of Gray, at the Appalachian Brewing Company. She is currently working on a new show, Eleven Ex-Boyfriends Defend Their Actions, which will be produced by Open Stage of Harrisburg during their upcoming season. She is also a recipient of a 1999 Fellowship Grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Swirlies runs at Whitaker through April 1; tickets are $15; call THE BOX at 214-2787.