Skylight Theatre Company launches the World Premiere production of resident writer Louisa Hill’s “Lord of the Underworld’s Home for Unwed Mothers,” recipient of the Mark Twain Award for Comic Playwriting from the Kennedy Center American College of Theatre Festival.
The story starts out in the early ’60s way before Roe vs Wade was passed in 1973. This was a time when unwed women who got knocked up basically had no choice but to give their baby up for adoption, and that’s exactly what teenager Dee (the fantastic, Corryn Cummins) is forced to do when she becomes pregnant.
In the first act, Dee gets a major ‘girl crush’ on Eddie (Adrian Gonzalez), has wild sex with him and discovers to her shock and dismay that she’s going to have a baby. Her rigid and religious parents send her to a home for unwed mothers where she remains until it’s time to give birth. That’s what parents did in those days. The scene where Dee is forced to hand over her child is absolutely heart wrenching.
In the second part of the play, we meet her daughter, Corie (Michaela Slezak), who is now 25 years old, into death metal, and wants nothing to do with Dee. She also happens to be pregnant, but this being 2017, has much different options available to her.
The play is a look back into history and shows us the effect that our choices have on us. The actors, including Amy Harmony, play many different parts, as well as making up the ‘Chorus’ throughout the show. Adding to the experience is the musical score written and performed on a solo cello by Marylin Winkle. Director Tony Abatemarco does an excellent job keeping the action going and making this a thought provoking night at the theatre.
“Lord of the Underworld’s Home for Unwed Mothers” plays Friday and Saturdays at 8:30 and Sundays at 3:00 until May 14, 2017. The Skylight Theatre is located at 18161/2 North Vermont, Los Angeles 90027. Ticket prices are $15-$39.00. For reservations call 213-761-7062 or go to SkylightTix.com.
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