FringeNYC 2013: The A-is-for-Abortion Play

Review by Aimee Todoroff · August 17, 2013

Abortion. The word itself is often enough to stop people in their tracks. Everyone has an opinion about it, but the conversation is usually limited to political talking points. Whichever side of the political divide one falls about a woman’s right to choose, the woman is question is largely hypothetical. Discussing the actual experience of abortion is still very much a taboo, despite the fact that statistically 1 in 3 American women will have one by the time they are 45 years old.  In some parts of the country, even admitting to having an abortion is inviting shame, personal attacks and sometimes violence. Who can blame women for not wanting to talk about something so risky but yet so common? Who wants to take on the 21st century version of the scarlet letter?

Cassandra Hume dares to break the taboo by giving us a play that delves deep into the complexities of abortion in a way that is surprising, acerbically wry and poignant. Her The A-is-for-Abortion Play is part Vagina Monologues, part Artaud with a dash of camp thrown in for fun. It is also incredibly smart, eschewing overt politicking or pandering to focus on expressing not what abortion is or isn’t, but what the intangible experience is like for the woman having one. The play includes traditional monologues and scenes, but structured into episodes, it takes unexpected turns, leading us into bizarre dream sequences and dance numbers that are as twisted and raw as they are honest.  

This polished production follows Alexa, played with an inner strength by Candace Bryant, as she navigates her way through the ups and downs of the abortion process. She meets a number of women across multiple ethnic and socio-economic lines, like image-obsessed Clarissa, played by Julissa Roman, and the supportive Bethany, played by Jen Harris.  Eilis Cahill steals every scene as Dani, the youngest of the group. Her nuanced portrayal of this feisty young woman from an Evangelical family combined with her great comic timing make her an actress to watch (she can also be seen in Baptized, concurrently running in FringeNYC). Veteran powerhouse Ellen David does a lot of the heavy lifting, moving the action along with confidence.  Listed in the program as Eleanor, she actually takes on a myriad of roles, bringing a unique energy to each character. Whether she’s playing a jaded clinic worker, a spitfire pro-choice lawyer or a congresswoman espousing the sanctity of life, she finds a truth to her character’s  perspective and makes it her own.

Director Joanna Bowzer’s staging is bold, unapologetic and a breath of fresh air. She plays into the humor inherent in the absurdity of the situations our heroines find themselves in while keeping up the pace of an attack, guiding us through this difficult landscape of dream sequences and abstract flights of fancy with a clarity that keeps the intent and the story clear.  She has assembled a crack team of designers. Katharine Goerlich’s costumes are both whimsical and appropriate, while Mike Jensen’s rock-heavy sound design does as much to propel the action forward and create the world of the play as any character could.

The A-is-for-Abortion Play is a unique theatrical experience that skewers a difficult topic with wit and panache.  It is also one of the most accomplished productions I’ve seen this year.  This excellent play is a brave and important new work that should be on everyone’s “must see” list this FringeNYC.