The Charleston Alley Theatre will be hosting its 100th show and its first show of the 2012 season, a collection of four one act plays.

The one-act plays are written by Christopher Durang and are entitled “Mrs. Sorken,” “The Nature and Purpose of the Universe” and “Death Comes to Us All, Mary Agnes.” The one-act plays are also recommended for mature audiences only.

The one-act plays are under the direction of Marie Jozwiak, who recently performed as the character of Olivia in the CAT’s play “Twelfth Night.”

Jozwiak said of the first show, “The Nature and Purpose of the Universe,” that everything that could possibly go wrong in the story does.

“It’s about how in life, God throws certain challenges at us,” Woziak said. “It’s all about how we deal with those challenges.”

Jozwiak said another theme in the story is how far someone can be pushed before they snap.

Jozwiak also said the story is about how the main character deals with the issues in her family.

Those appearing in “The Nature and Purpose of the Universe,” include Victoria Bennett, Thomas MacMullen, Kyle Probst, Jacqueline Armstrong, Bill Stinde, Jacob Norris, Alexis Evans, Derek Wintermann and Mellissa Akins.

The second show, “Death Comes to Us All, Mary Agnes,” is one that Woziak said is about the consequences of the choices individuals make in life.

The play features a mother who is in love with her two sons, the two sons that are in love with one another, a daughter who is loved by neither, and the father who is oblivious to it all.

Those appearing in “Death Comes to Us All, Mary Agnes,” include Thomas MacMullen, Jacquelyn Armstrong, Pat Shannon, Rachel Anderson, Jacob Norris, Alexis Evans, Derek Wintermann and Mellissa Akins.

Alexis Evans, a senior communication studies major, appears in both one-act plays. Evans said she began her involvement at the theater after seeing a flier in Coleman Hall.

Evans said her favorite thing about being involved in the one-act plays is the ability to ad-lib and being weird for the roles.

“You can be as off-the-wall as you want,” Evans said.

The one-act plays will open at 7:30 p.m. on Friday with additional performances at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 4, 6, 10, 11 and 13 and performances at 2 p.m. on Feb. 5 and 12 at the CAT, located at 718 Monroe Avenue.

The ticket sales will be $10.

Tickets are available up to one hour before the performance and upon reservation by calling the theater at 345-2287.

Kathryn Richter can be reached at 581-2812 or kjrichter@eiu.edu