Sarasota’s Asolo opened its lates show, ROE, a play delving into the story of the two women on the “choice” side of the case. It’s not as straightforward as it sounds, and we asked playwright Lisa Loomer to talk a bit about her inspiration, the play and, yes, abortion. Here’s what she had to say.
Why did you want to write this story?
As I researched Roe v. Wade, I was surprised — shocked, really — by the story of the two women involved, the lawyer, Sarah Weddington, who argued the case at 26, and the plaintiff, Norma McCorvey, the young woman seeking an abortion. They started out as allies, but their divergent journeys after the case were symbolic of the subsequent divide in American culture — a divide that exists even more strongly today. It was wanting to understand this divide that made me want to write ROE. I wanted to understand: Why can’t we talk to each other, as Americans, about this issue? Why can’t we talk to each other, period?
What are your beliefs on abortion?
I’m going to try to give you a full answer, so I hope you will print my answer in full. From the feedback I’ve gotten, most everyone who has seen this play has felt that, somewhere in the play, their personal view has been given voice. And I have gotten so many letters from people telling me that seeing the play with a friend or relative gave them a way to talk about this difficult subject for the first time…often with someone who holds a very different point of view. And I heard this from people on both “sides”!
But you asked me a personal question and I’m going answer you even if I lose a few folks in the process. Interestingly, you asked me about “abortion” and not about “choice.” My own belief is that choice is necessary. The lawyer in the play says to a young woman, about the law: “We give you the choice…so that you can choose.” I think that being a human being is difficult and complex, despite those who would tell us, “Just do this.” I also think the issue is bigger than abortion, it’s about reproductive justice. All sorts of factors come into play before a woman ever faces the question of abortion. And the factors that decide whether or not she has access to an abortion are, and always have been, influenced by who she is in terms of race and class.
What do you want audiences to take away from ROE?
I hope they come away with an understanding of the beliefs, ideas and feelings on both sides of the divide… and an understanding of “choice” in all its ramifications… And a reverence for the complexity of human beings!
What do you say to people who say entertainers should stick to entertaining, not politics?
Well, I don’t consider myself an entertainer so no one’s said that to me so far. I think a playwright’s job is to reflect on the issues of her times and on what it means to be a human being in those times. Despite the heavy job description, for some reason I was also born funny, so my plays also happens to be… entertaining.
Without giving anything away, what part of the play do you think will stick with people long after they leave the theater?
There is a character who embodies the essence of compassion. She is a true Christian — in her actions; she has no rhetoric, no politics. But she is the one who seems to move audiences the most. And there is a young woman whose situation strikes a chord with young women in the audience, especially. That said, people relate very personally to this issue and this play, and everyone will have their own moments that touch them and make them think or feel.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a film which is a re-telling of the opera, Carmen, set on the border with Mexico, and in L.A., and I’m also working on a play about a group of millennials in Trump’s America.
Just for fun: You can hijack someone’s Twitter for three tweets. Whose do you jack and what are your three tweets?
Sorry, not a tweeter.
This article appears in Mar 15-22, 2018.
