The Fourth Walsh

TimeLine Theatre presents the World Premiere of THE BIRTH OF THE PILL.

Margaret Sanger’s crusade for birth control is pretty legendary. The others collaborating in pursuit of The Pill aren’t perhaps as familiar. Dr. John Rock, Catholic obstetrician, teaching the rhythm method. Dr. Pincus working in vitro fertilization. And Katharine McCormick, advocate for women’s rights and biologist, inheriting a fortune. Their passions intersect to change everything for women’s independence, sexual freedom and career advancement. Their journey to scientific breakthrough is chronicled in Jonathan Eig’s “The Birth of the Pill.”

Playwright Jessica Huang debuts her new play based on Eig’s book. Huang’s historic retelling takes on a whimsical quality. She introduces Ramona (played by the vivacious María Victoria Martínez) to narrate the journey from conception to The Pill. As a clinical trial participant in the 1950s, Martínez infuses plenty of humor and later gut-punching realism to recounting the actual events. Huang’s astute script impressively balances empirical evidence, opposing perspectives, and a complex mix of motivations.   

Under the masterful direction of Sandra Marquez, the play is tight with a stellar ensemble. They deliver the facts wrapped in plenty of personality. Janet Ulrich Brooks (Sanger) and Mary Beth Fisher (McCormick) are hilarious as tough broads driven in their legacy quest to make life better for women. An amusing Mitchell J. Fain (Pincus) is comically conniving by researching both reproduction and male-pattern baldness. In a series of scenes, Martínez and an earnest Rammel Chan (Chang) do the work in explaining the actual experiments in an interesting and entertaining way. And an unapologetic David Parkes (Rock) follows an unforgettable entrance by continually delivering unexpected zingers.           

THE BIRTH OF THE PILL is an eye-opener about the past and present. It took Sanger’s obsession, McCormick’s fortune, and a life-altering discovery (literally and figuratively) to vastly improve women’s lives. Unfortunately, the medical marvel came at a cost to other women. Martínez’s reflection in the final scene has sold me on reading the book for a deeper understanding. THE BIRTH OF THE PILL is a fascinating portrayal of what it takes to move a controversial idea into a universal solution. As reproductive and women’s rights continue to be challenged and limited, this play inspires us to continue the fight for the next generation of women.   

Running Time: 100-minute show with no intermission

TimeLine Theatre, 5035 N. Broadway

Based on the book by Jonathan Eig

Written by Jessica Huang

Directed by Sandra Marquez

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30pm

Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm

Thru October 4

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Brett Beiner Photography

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