Bess Wohl has written the story of a group of women holding a discussion group in 1970. Liberation describes how these women meet to talk about their lives. Their backgrounds are very different. The discussions led to their efforts to try to change their lives and the world. Although they are meeting in Ohio, their story is universal.
Fifty years later the daughter of the founder of the group looks back. She is trying to understand how her mother could turn her back on the liberation movement for marriage and motherhood. She investigates the members of the group. She finds that women’s liberation encompasses varied expectations. These vary from the housewife of 45 years who achieved her dream when her husband started washing dishes twice a week. Others are more radical. They issued a manifesto arguing that until every woman was free, no woman was free. They organize protests and marches.
Their lives have changed over 50 years, with one individual leveraging her sexuality to overcome barriers and achieve success. Another lives and dies free of patriarchy. Every member is changed by their meetings. It turns out that every story is a brick in the wall of liberation.
Liberation is a very timely play. The issues still exist. During one meeting the women point out that they have Roe v, Wade. We may have lost Roe But states such as New York passed laws to protect freedom of choice. Every member of the cast creates believable characters who one ends up caring about. When the actors break the fourth wall it is done seamlessly and carries the story forward. The humor is both funny and thought-provoking. The nude scene follows the action logically.
One warning – this is a “Patti LuPone Production.” In other words, cell phones are not allowed. Your cell phone will be placed in a Yondr or the camera will be disabled.