SYNOPSIS: Domestic violence is an issue that finds its way into all cultures and all walks of life. This well researched collection will allow students to see how people around the world have the same issues, yet deal with them uniquely. A mix of tension and humor makes these pieces as entertaining as they are educational. The original production was sponsored by the cities of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills as well as a variety of social service agencies. The writer was a Special Nominee for the 3rd Annual Domestic Violence Prevention Award by the county of Los Angeles. Includes: 1. Bag Of Chocolate (1M, 2F) Lori, a woman who works for a crisis hotline, finds herself unwelcome in a Russian-American household when she tries to intervene between an abusive husband and his wife. In Russia, they say it's not a crime to beat your wife. Can Lori help this family see things are different in America? 2. Bruises Shmuses (2M, 2F) Such a thing shouldn't happen in a good Jewish home! Linda tries to hide from the truth that her husband abuses her for fear of shaming her family within the community. While her defensive mother-in-law tries to sweep it under the rug, her brother Jeffrey tries to convince Linda to take the kids and get out. Tension mounts as everyone realizes nothing is as easy as it seems. 3. Too Much Tradition (1M, 2F) He's out of work; she just got a promotion. It wasn't how things were supposed to be in this country. In this skit, a young woman is forced to find strength to cope with a husband who abuses her for her success, and stand up to her own mother, who believes a wife should defer to her husband no matter how he treats her.