"It's amazing the way all the different groups are working together," says Aidinoff. "We have the cast, tech crew, band, business and publicity offices, but no rivalry.

Duvernay says, "The best part was meeting the people in the show. I didn't know what to expect, but I'm making a lot of friends."

Even with the pervasive professionalism, the long hours, the extensive run, and the heavy tradition behind it, all acknowledge that the show is essentially just fun to do. This is due to the basic irreverence of the plays themselves, it's hard to be pretentious with a name like Missionary Position. Yet even the humor can provide challenges for the cast, most notably the challenge of acting like a woman when you're just an ordinary guy.

"My character has been hurt by men; she's power-crazed, ruthless, and sublimates her need for men," comments Uzal S.H. Taylor '86, who plays Queen Foraday, "It's hard to be convincing playing this woman."

"It's fun to work with all guys," said McCrady, "but trying to switch sexes is a real challenge."

Even those not in the cast have identify problems. Says director Percival, "It gets confusing; my pronouns are constantly getting screwed up. I call a he a she."

But in spite of the confusion, no one feels the need for women in the cast Said Percival, "The show would not have the same appeal, to both sexes, that it does."

Besides, it's a great education. As one of the Amazons says, "Dressing up like a woman really strikes you; it gives you a whole new perspective on the world."

The show's tradition goes back to 1844, when the venerable Hasty pudding club-founded in 1795, realized that it had to cast a man in the role of Distaffina in its first play, Bombastes Furioso because there were, of course, no female members.