Wichita State University Theater presents the 17th century comedy, "The Roaring Girl," a play with adventure, intrigue and romance.

The play is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 18-20, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, in Wilner Auditorium.

"The Roaring Girl" is a comedy involving a distraught son seeking the aid of a crossdressing, pipe-smoking, street-brawling celebrity bad girl, Moll Cutpurse, to help him and his lover find a happily ever after. Along the way she teaches a lesson in respecting women, saves a son from his father, who thinks he is wasting his life in pleasure, and shows the entire city the folly of judging books by their covers. Moll may be notorious, but her gallantry shows her to be the moral compass of the town.

“The Roaring Girl,” written by Thomas Middleton and Thomas Dekker, is a fictionalized dramatization of the real-life Moll Cutpurse: Mary Frith, a woman who bucked societal expectations. Surprisingly modern in its look at gender, marriage and reputation, this 17th century comedy is ahead of its time.

The cast features guest artist Brian Gunter, WSU theater alumnus and professional actor, as Sir Alexander Wengrave, and WSU Theater major Veniese Razo as Moll. The rest of the cast includes Robert Thomas (Sebastian), Allison Claye (Mary), Rian Leigh (Trapdoor), Christian James (Laxton), Alexis Shetley (Goshawk), Maria Clements (Mistress Gallipot), Brendan Tyler Kimball (Gallipot), Kian Nguyen (Lord Noland) and Nimrah Kahn (Mistress Tiltyard), Noah Montgomery (Sir Davy Dapper), Kristen Bock (Mistress Openwork), Lance Vaillancort (Openwork), Lance McDougall (Greenwit) and Gavin Myers (Jack Dapper). A few surprise cameo performances by returning alumni round out the cast.

The design team for “The Roaring Girl” includes Rose Bittle (sets), Ryan Morrow (lights), Cody Buettgenbach (sound), Stephanie Crump (props) and English major/theater minor student Elizabeth Eckrote (costumes). The original music was composed by theater alumna Damian Padilla.

“The Roaring Girl” is directed by Visiting Assistant Professor Danette Baker, assisted by theater major Brandi Bailey. The management team includes theater majors Madison Bishop (stage manager) and Amber Stephens (assistant stage manager).

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the Fine Arts Box Office in the lobby of the Duerksen Fine Arts Center or online at wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice. General admission is $10, with $8 discount tickets available for seniors, faculty/staff and military, or $6 tickets for children and students. WSU students are eligible for one free ticket (visit http://www.wichita.edu/j/?4363 for details). For ticketing assistance, contact the Fine Arts Box Office from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, at 316-978-3233 or fasttickets@wichita.edu.