**** Recommended I really enjoyed seeing the TimeLine production and world premier of The Birth of the Pill. The acting was absolutely superb, the topic timely, the seemingly simple set design cleverly included multiple locations, and I got to see TimeLine’s brand new theater – which is a beautiful space. This play is a must-see, especially for women. 4 Spotlights
The Birth of the Pill was written by Jessica Huang based on the book by Jonathan Eig. The TimeLine production is directed by Sandra Marquez. The play was both interesting and informative. The story is told by Ramona Delgado (María Victoria Martínez) who added much-needed humor to a serious topic.
Margaret Sanger (Janet Ulrich Brooks, left) and Ramona Delgado (María Victoria Martínez, right) scuffle over a copy of "The Birth of the Pill" in TimeLine Theatre's world premiere of The Birth of the Pill. Photo by Brett Beiner Photography
At the beginning, Ramona has just read Jonathan Eig’s book which she calls crazy. She goes on to introduce the woman responsible for everything that followed – Margaret Sanger (Janet Ulrich Brooks) by pulling back a curtain to her clinic in New York City. Since she was holding the book, Sanger tried to grab it. Using a snap of her fingers, she froze her to prevent that - more than once. She encouraged Sanger to pick up the envelope on her desk which was a very important invitation.
Sanger’s long-time friend, Katherine McCormick (Mary Beth Fisher), dropped into the clinic after her husband’s funeral to complain about his despicable mother who wants the money McCormick just inherited. She also confessed that she’d never had sex with her husband.
Janet Ulrich Brooks (left) as Margaret Sanger and Mary Beth Fisher (right) as Katharine McCormick in TimeLine Theatre’s world premiere of The Birth of the Pill. Photo by Brett Beiner Photography
When Sanger told her she’d met a doctor who was researching hormones. She thought he could be persuaded to look at whether hormones could prevent ovulation, but there was no money. McCormick said she had more money that she could ever spend and if there was a possibility of developing a contraceptive pill she’d fund the research.
Goody Pincus (Mitchell Fain) who was in fact researching hormones at his lab agreed to add hormones as contraceptives to his research aided by Min Chueh Chang (Rammel Chan), his research technician who actually did all the work. After a lot of testing, he’d developed a pill that worked but it needed to be tested.
From left: Margaret Sanger (Janet Ulrich Brooks), Min Chueh Chang (Rammel Chan), Goody Pincus (Mitchel J. Fain), Katharine McCormick (Mary Beth Fisher), and John Rock (David Parkes) in TimeLine Theatre's world premiere of The Birth of the Pill.
Photo by Brett Beiner Photography.
Pincus went to Dr. John Rock (David Parkes), a gynecologist working on infertility. After hearing the pitch, he agreed to test the pill in Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, most of the testing was done on Puerto Rican women without their knowledge or consent. Ramona was one of those women. The play ended as she asked Sanger if she’d do it again.
The Birth of the Pill has been extended through October 11th at TimeLine Theatre, 5035 N. Broadway (at Argyle), Chicago. Discounted parking is available with a validation (available at box office) at 5051 N. Broadway or 5017 N. Winthrop. Running time is one hour, 40 minutes, no intermission. Performances: Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 2:00 & 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:00 pm. $40-$100 FYI (773) 281-8463 x1 or timelinetheatre.com