"A barbershop isn’t a barbershop without conversation." There’s a difference between talk in a barbershop and talk in a salon.

The world premiere of "Cuttin’ Up," written and directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, at Arena Stage presents a glimpse inside the world of a barbershop in Washington, D.C.

A barbershop is not just a place to go for a haircut. As the Reverend says in the play, he goes to the same barbershop at the same time on the same day every week because, like going to church, he gets something out of the barbershop conversations. It’s a chance to catch up on what’s going on not only on that street or in that city, but all over the world.

But no need to say "if these walls could talk," because everyone who steps foot in the barbershop has plenty to talk about. From talking about passing women to debating the pressing issues in the papers, the barbershop is hardly ever a quiet place.

Based on Craig Marberry’s book, Cuttin’ Up: Wit and Wisdom from Black Barber Shops, along with the three barbers in the show, every character that enters their establishment — from businessmen and preachers to drug dealers and panhandlers — has a story and a history to share.

Although some might quickly compare this play to the 2002 movie "Barbershop,"

The three main characters in the story, all barbers, span three generations and all share their own history. Howard (Bill Grimmette), the oldest barber and owner of the barbershop, prefers jazz —"African-American classical music" — and encourages the youngest barber to not listen to music with questionable lyrics, because while he may think "it’s just a song," it does not reflect well on their culture. History means everything to Howard. He teaches the other barbers tidbits of history, for example, that the origins of many of the hair cuts they give can be traced back to slavery, where a certain haircut was almost like a brand and you could tell where a slave was from based on the shape of his hair.

The main character, the 40-something-year-old barber Andre (Peter Jay Fernandez), prefers R&B over jazz. He has spent his life running away from his history, going from town to town so that he doesn’t get too attached to people. While running away from his own history though, he learns a lot about the history of his culture. He shares with the other barbers his stories of the characters he’s met in the many cities where he has worked, from Vernon Winfrey (Oprah’s father) to Emmet Till’s cousin.

The youngest barber, Rudy (Psalmayene 24), leads more of a hip hop lifestyle. While the older barbers where the classic white coats over their shirts, Rudy’s urban fashions are barely covered by the black apron he wears to work. While his history is not as extended as his coworkers, Rudy still has his fair share of tales to tell.

Through the varied patrons of Howard’s Barbershop give voice to the "pictures on the wall" — because a barbershop isn’t a barbershop without pictures on the wall.

It’s overwhelming when the curtain falls to see that only eight actors make up this cast of countless characters. With the exception of the three barbers, each actor assumes the roles of more than a handful of characters through changes in costume, and the use of more than 40 wigs.

While the set appears to simply be a typical, three-chair barbershop, the use of a sometimes translucent mirror and backdrops transforms the set during several dramatic scenes.

While the play focuses largely on the history of these black men, and the history of their race, it is not only history for history’s sake, but what effect this history will have on the legacy of their culture.

"Cuttin’ Up" does contain some suggestive lyrics and actions, but this questionable material is used as an example of how a song containing offensive material is not "just a song" and listening to such songs and behaving in certain ways does reflect not only on who a person is, but can also affect people’s perception of their entire race or culture.

"Cuttin’ Up" plays through Jan. 1 at Arena Stage, 1101 Sixth St., S.W., Washington. For more information call 202/488-3300 or go to www.arenastage.com.