Rob Matsushita, Madison-based playwright and filmmaker, has got something to say about controversial titles. Case in point: his latest play, entitled “Hitler Was Right (The German Shepherd is a Great Dog! He Loved Dogs!).”

It’s not the kind of title most people would feel comfortable repeating out loud, but there’s a reason behind its obscenity and quirkiness. What began as a long-running joke among his friends eventually developed into a full-fledged show. In explaining the title of his own show, Matsushita tells the tale of another play (whose name he decided to withhold) that had an equally controversial title. It received heavy criticism due to the fact that the play itself had nothing to do with its title. Its author whined and said people were missing the point.

This was the beginning of his long-running joke. Matsushita came up with his own gag title that he laughingly tossed around among his comrades. But as he started actually working on this project, inspiration struck.

“Once I wrote the first scene, I realized I had something I would want to finish,” he said in an interview with The Badger Herald.

And thus “Hitler Was Right” was born. Unlike the aforementioned play, Matsushita’s “Hitler” play actually bears relation to its title – albeit distantly and humorously. But that’s probably the point.

It’s a play that addresses racism, the underlying ignorance it stems from and a slew of other colorful topics by focusing solely on the dialogue of three spoiled-rotten girls hanging out at a mall. Their names are Tiffany, Kirstey and Monica. Despite being mere teenage girls, their thoughts and conversations will make jaws drop.

Tiffany is a Christian abstinence student, played by Celia Lohr. Kirstey, played by Broom Street Theatre veteran Kate Boomsma, is an over-privileged racist, whose evil is exceeded only by the likes of Monica.

Monica, played by UW-Madison senior Trisha Picard, is the embodiment of evil.

“In the script it’s suggested that she is possibly Satan,” Matsushita says.

In creating these characters, Matsushita draws inspiration from playwrights Neil LaBute (“In the Company of Men”) and David Mamet (“Glengarry Glen Ross”). In particular, he is fascinated by LaBute’s ability to render such evil, “mercenary” characters.

These are the types of characters who, despite never engaging in violence, are still rotten to the core. Matsushita also draws out the distinction between evil and ignorance in his characters.

Some of his methods for creating characters are intriguing, albeit a little unconventional. In doing research for another project, Matsushita browsed white supremacist websites and message boards. Shocked by the bizarre and appalling language used there, he found inspiration for his characters.

“Much of Kirstey’s racist rhetoric throughout the show is taken pretty much, in some cases, verbatim from websites like the ones that I found,” he said of the experience.

The play has no definite plot, but rather consists of a series of dialogues between these girls. It is a relatively short play, and Matsushita says there will be little “surprises” at the end of each show, which may be screenings, play readings or other activities.

Matsushita admits this show will not suit everyone’s taste. But he still hopes audiences will realize these characters reflect reality more eerily than one would expect. Perhaps viewers won’t know whether to laugh at the ridiculous things that come out of these girls’ mouths, or shudder at the thought people like them actually exist in the real world.

“Hitler Was Right (the German Shepherd Is a Great Dog! He Loved Dogs!)” will run at the Broom Street Theatre from April 22 to May 8, at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $9 for evening shows, and $6 for Sunday matinees. To purchase tickets or to get more information, call 608-244-8338 or visit BSTonline.org