If you walked into the Fresno City College theater between October 8 and 17, you would see a whimsical, surrealistic set symbolizing a childhood.

The stage: an enormous box of Tinker Toys. Spinning above, suspended in mid-air: a giant baby crib mobile. And the innocent tinkling of a child's lullaby animated the entire scene. This was the set of Paul Walstad Jr. and Christopher J. Fankhauser's People Become Real, a play about people releasing the demons of their past and becoming "real through their pain and what they feel."

Directed by C. Tim Quinn, the production captured the heart of the audience in the truth of the characters. Nathan Sprinkman portrayed Steven Black, a writer consumed with his tortured childhood, filled with painful memories of an absent father and abusive foster homes. Sada Bagdonoff shone as Steve's pregnant wife Carolyn, who had her own problems growing up in a perfectionist family. Amber Aden played the part of Carolyn's older sister Loralyn with the spunk and arrogance that the role required, as Loralyn visits the Blacks' apartment to save her little sister from her "loser husband" and help with her pregnancy. However, later in the show, Loralyn must face her own problem: the baby she gave up 14 years ago that still haunts her.

Comic relief, which was absolutely necessary in a show as dark as this, was hilariously provided by the Blacks' nosy, paranoid neighbor, Ricky played by Jason Tatham. Ricky is constantly barging into the apartment at the most inappropriate times, scared to death of a blind date (Adrienne Young) that his father has set up for him.

Debra Ferry appeared in the second act as Carolyn and Loralyn's mother, who cannot accept that no one can be perfect in everything they do. Also making appearances were Chris Peabody as young Steve, William Avila as Steve's father, Chris Elkins as the child-molesting social worker Mr. Proffet, and Jason Block as the postman. April Hoogasian, as the muse, helped to narrate the story with original songs written by Kelly Faust.

People Become Real was an honest, emotional production filled with an extremely talented cast. If you missed this play, be sure to catch the next Fresno City College theatrical production, the student-directed Veronica's Room.