ROE

Highly Recommended **** There is a great deal of talk in today’s political world of overturning a monumental court case from 1973. The landmark case is called “Roe v. Wade” which legalized abortion. For many, this powerful case changed their lives. In Lisa Loomer’s “ROE” now on the stage of The Goodman Theatre, we learn a great deal about the people who were responsible for this coming to the attention of the people and the “system”.

What began in a pizza parlor as a young Texas lawyer, Sarah Weddington ( played with great power by Christina Hall) convinces a young pregnant lady , Norma McCorvey ( brilliantly played by Kate Middleton) to let her take this case for getting abortion to the courts. Instead of “Jane Doe” ( a common way to keep one’s real name out of the system) they opted for Jane Roe!

Directed to perfection on a clever set  (designed by Collette Pollard) by Vanessa Stalling, we are treated to a history lesson and meet all of those who were a part of these events taking place. Yes, there have been books. and this play gets into those as well. This play deals with the personal side of each of the main players in this “happening”. Learning more about the circumstances and the individuals makes understanding the importance of what Roe v Wade meant to our country and the rights that women were given.

The ensemble of players, taking on many different personalities and individuals makes this a dynamic piece that will have you leaving the theater with a better understanding of something that took place over 40 years ago. They are:Kayla Carter, Jazmin Corona, Julia Dale, Stephanie Diaz, Kirsten Fitzgerald, Raymond Fox, Meighan Gerachis, Maura Kidwell, Ryan Kitley, John Lister, Eliza Stoughton, Jessica Dean Turner and Meg Warner. They take on different roles and portray many of the people that were a part of this historical period.

While the play has many serious moments and is filled with history, there are also many moments where we laugh. The comic moments truly help keep the flow of this two-hour-twenty-minute production ( including intermission) going. The tech side is also powerful. Lighting by Keith Parham and sound by Mikhail Fiskel along with costumes by Jessica Pabst are flawless. The projections by Caite Hevner keep us up to date on what is happening with the characters and each character that is deceased , very clear about their own obituaries.

Roe v. Wade has been debated for over 40 years and many still are against the ruling. On the other hand, many appreciated the fact that women were given some rights and could choose what they wanted for their own lives. This play looks at both sides but in particular tells us more about the women who brought it to life. In the final moments when we are attending a Town Hall, one of the characters, Roxy ( a dynamite portrayal by Kayla carter) stands in the audience telling us that she is pregnant and her story. It is very close to the story that started the whole thing. This truly makes you think!

“Roe” will continue through February 23rd at The Goodman located at 170 N. Dearborn Street with performances as follows:

Tuesday  February 11th only at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday  7:30 p.m

Thursdays  7:30 p.m. ( on January 30th and Feb. 13th and 20th added 2 p.m.)

Fridays      8 p.m.

Saturdays   2p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m. (7:30 p.m. also on February 2nd)

Tickets range from $20-$70 and are available at the box office, by calling 312-443-3800 or online at http://www.GoodmanTheatre.org

ACCESSIBILITY

2/15  12:30 touch/tour

2/15 audio described 2 p.m.

2/19 ASL Interpreted  7:30 p.m.

2/22 Open captioned  2 p.m.

more info available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Access

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “ROE”.