“All You Need To Know” by Crowded Kitchen Players takes on the bureaucracy of arts funding and the question of the meaning and purpose of art.

The 1-1/2-hour play continually flips between two different scenes. In front of the audience, two filmmakers are making a documentary about a dying woman, while on an elevated stage a meeting of an arts commission is deciding who will receive grants.

Althea Ruff (Trish Cipoletti) is describing the progress of her disease while being filmed by Ginny (Pamela McLean Wallace) and C.W. (Ara Barlieb). As the story of her life is revealed, it shows that Althea is someone who makes poor choices in life and men, and is destined to be a victim of circumstances.

Meanwhile, the arts commission is dominated by Ichabod (Phuong Tran) and the unseen J.J., who gives orders by phone communicated through his lackey ChiChi (David Donado).

Secretary Loretta (Darcel Gibson) and Pastor Passover (Bruce Brown) follow the leaders, with the latter contributing an occasional Bible quote. Marge (Sharon Ferry) offers some half-hearted objections.

Althea is shown over months as she declines from her degenerative disease. Cipoletti does a moving and masterful job of struggling to keep up her spirits as her world closes in on her, concluding with a bit of reconciliation.

The commission meeting is a little boring, as such meetings are, until fiery artist Arturo (David Oswald) shows up. Arturo wants the commission to fund the documentary about Althea. The other members object, preferring to give millions to a county fair and a nationally-known beer festival with platzes.

In Act Two, filmed interviews of Althea, projected on a screen at the side of the stage, are interspersed with those done live onstage. Barlieb, who wrote and directs the play, takes on a rare acting role here, enabling him to do the sound and video work in front of the audience.

Arturo, initially a comic character, begins to advocate passionately for the documentary. The commission’s characters are a bit too conveniently divided between heroes and villains, but the issues are presented dramatically. The play raises questions about how and why the arts are funded, bringing up arguments that are relevant to the Lehigh Valley.

The Oct. 9 matinee performance was seen for this review.

With an intimate presentation on the second floor of the Ice House, “All You Need To Know” is thought-provoking with a strong cast.

“All You Need To Know” continues 8 p.m. October 14, 15, 21, 22; p.m. Oct. 16, 23, Charles A. Brown Ice House, 56 River St., Sand Island, Bethlehem. Tickets: www.ckplayers.com, ckplayers@outlook.com; 610-704-6974