One in Two

"We Earned the Right to Choose
But Not the Right to Grieve"

By Bob Morrison

Approximately one in two women in the United States has an abortion by the time they reach age 50, says playwright Dr. Lynette Long. "One in Two," a work by turns harrowing, stressful, and intense--and always insightful--explores the effects of abortion on three fictional contemporary women. That it does so without espousing either point of view in the abortion debate would alone make this play a remarkable work.


"One in Two" is not a work in progress. Its pacing, its characterization and its direction by Brooke Brod are the hallmarks of a polished work. Much of the credit for this must also go to the three gifted actors: Sheila Hennessey as Linda, a thoughtful, determined suburban mom;


Kim Jackson as Charlotte, an achieving Catholic teen;


and Audra Alise Polk as Janelle, a 14-year-old ghetto child with dreams.


We hear the circumstances of pregnancy and why the decision to abort was made. Altogether disparate in their backgrounds and sexual histories, that decision and their simultaneous arrival at an abortion clinic link their lives.


We watch as these actors portray other characters in the life stories of each. We follow their grieving and guilt. We experience with them the restorative powers of time and sympathy. And as "One in Two" ends, we walk away with an understanding of this issue unikely to be gained in any other way.


The production values in this run are effective in their simplicity. Lighting designer Andrew Cissna, sound designer Bryce Page and stage manager Amanda Clayton have made memorable contributions to a work that will undoubtedly take a strong position in the American one-act genre.

For more photos of "One in Two," you're welcome to visit my Bonnie Briar Productions web site.

Cheers,
Bob