The Fountain Theatre jumps into action with a “hyper-staged” reading of Roe, a powerful, poignant and often humorous play by Lisa Loomer that cuts through the headlines to reveal the real-life women — Norma McCorvey, known as “Jane Roe” and Sarah Weddington, the lawyer who argued the case — behind Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court case that gave women the right to safe, legal abortion. Part outdoor rally, part call to action, part guerrilla theater, Roe is a fast-moving, fair-minded look at these two complicated human beings, the challenging years following the court’s fateful decision, and the polarization around the issue in America today. Performances take place on the Fountain Theatre’s outdoor stage. Vanessa Stalling directs a limited eight-performance run, June 25 through July 10, on the Fountain’s outdoor stage. There will be two additional preview performances on June 23 and June 24.
“We’re acting quickly and urgently in answer to the upcoming Supreme Court ruling expected to overturn Roe v Wade,” says Fountain artistic director Stephen Sachs. “We intend to use theater as a vehicle for social and political action. A call to action. Guerrilla-style theater. Actors holding scripts. Simple staging. Lisa has revised her script to bring it up-to-date, and we’re lucky to have Vanessa, who directed the 2020 production at the Goodman Theatre.” Reprising their roles from the Goodman production are Kate Middleton as McCorvey and Christina Hall as Weddington. An ensemble of actors will take on the myriad of other roles.
Originally commissioned through the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s American Revolutions program in a production that traveled to Arena Stage and Berkeley Rep, Roe is the recipient of both the Jane Chambers Playwriting Award and the Pen Award.Roe
The Fountain Theatre’s Outdoor Stage, 5060 Fountain Ave. at Normandie
previews June 23 and June 24; performances June 25 – July 10, 2022Thurs-Sun at 8pm
for tickets ($20), call 323.663.1525 or visit Fountain Theatre
allow extra time to find street parking
