Those disappointed at the cancellation of Loyola’s production of “The Vagina Monologues” don’t have to go far to see another production about a similar topic.

“The Oldest Profession,” a play written by Paula Vogel and directed by Lane Savadove, began its six-day run Tuesday night at Loyola’s Lower Depths Theatre.

Featuring an all-female cast of Loyola students, “The Oldest Profession” is about a group of women who have been living the life of prostitution since the days of prohibition.

Sitting on a park bench in 1980s’ New York, the women discuss and bicker over their current outfits, courting gentlemen customers and living in an apartment building for the elderly.

While doing so, these women of the early afternoon chat about the current state of their profession and the world.

They also reminisce about better times working in New Orleans’ Storyville district.

They describe Storyville as a pre-prohibition hedonist paradise of jazz, liquor and legalized prostitution that was eventually shut down.

In writing “The Oldest Profession,” Vogel mixes in a lot of humor while dealing with such sobering issues as aging, friendship, gender roles in society, betrayal, and loss.

“Paula Vogel is one of the best American contemporary playwrights” said artistic director and drama department head Georgia Gresham. “She has an ability to deal with contemporary issues in a way where we can learn to laugh at ourselves.”

This is the third play by Paula Vogel produced by the drama department in the past five years.

In earlier years, the department produced Vogel’s “How I Learned to Drive” and “Baltimore Waltz.”

Though Gresham declined to compare this play to the controversial Monologues, she said that the department decided to produce this play because it “brings light to certain subjects and allows us to be able to make fun of what is not spoken.” “Vogel is one of few contemporary writers that directly addresses social justice,” Gresham said.

In preparing for this production, director Lane Savadove praised the cast and crew for doing an excellent job in the five weeks that it took to make “The Oldest Profession” ready for the stage.

“We made a smooth jump into the comedy (from last year’s more serious works). We really hit this play … really did it well,” Savadove said

Drama/classical studies junior Kim Lucas, stage manager for the production, mirrored Savadove’s comments, saying, “This was a well-bonded cast and crew – very pleasant to work with. Everyone came into this production very equipped.”

Drama junior Audrey Bales, who plays the demure Lillian and drama sophomore Kaity Talmage-Bowers, who plays the proverb-laden, business-minded Ursula, said that “It was fun working with everyone on this production.”

On performing in a work of this nature, Bowers commented that “it really allowed for growth (as an actor).”

“The Oldest Profession” will run in the Lower Depths Theatre from 8 to 10 p.m. through Sunday night. Tickets are $12 for General Admission and $7 for students, children, and senior citizens. Running time is approximately 80 minutes.

Next up for the Drama department this semester will be the ancient Greek comedy Lysistrata, which Gresham describes as a strange compliment to “The Oldest Profession.”

The play will be directed by Don Brady and will open March 19.