THEATRE PREVIEW: "Becoming Emily" @ Black Cat Theatre June 18-20. Written by Artistic Director Joan Lipkin
"The blast only lasted a few microseconds, but it separated two lifetimes. I had to learn to walk, speak, use my vision, and many other basic functions. Everything I had known was, pardon the pun, blown away." – Emily Lyons
BY: JOAN LIPKIN
It has been said in show business that timing is everything. Unfortunately, in the wake of Dr. George Tiller’s recent murder, That Uppity Theatre Company’s original production of "Becoming Emily" playing June 18-20 at the Black Cat Theatre in Maplewood, is more relevant than ever. "Becoming Emily" tells the story of Emily Lyons, a nurse whose life was forever changed when the "New Woman, All Women" healthcare clinic where she worked in Alabama was bombed.
The bombing made international news. The blast from the nail bomb resulted in the murder of Birmingham police officer Robert Sanderson and grave injury to Emily. The man who bombed the clinic, Eric Rudolph, went into hiding, resulting in the longest and most expensive manhunt in the history of the FBI.
Rudolph bombed the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, where he murdered Alice Hawthorne and injured over a hundred innocent people. Rudolph was also behind the bombings of a family planning clinic in Atlanta, as well as a lesbian nightclub the Otherside Lounge. Rudolph was on the FBI's Top-10 Most Wanted List. The search lasted over five years and cost more than thirty million dollars.
Sadly, the name Eric Rudolph became a household name, while Emily Lyons and her husband Jeff are less well known.
"Becoming Emily," seeks to redress that imbalance. It tells the story of the hunt for Rudolph, what happened to Emily and Jeff Lyons, looks at how their relationship was tested and strengthened and represents just a few personal accounts from people who seek abortions.
Inspired by meeting Emily Lyons a few years ago, I was determined to tell the story of this remarkable woman who describes herself as a bombing survivor, rather than a bombing victim. But first came the how. How do you tell the story of the horrific? How do you make it palatable and even engaging for an audience? I chose to use the genre of dance theatre and to work with a talented team of some of the most innovative dancers and choreographers in the St. Louis area including Summer Beasley, Chris Page, Lee Nolting, Dawn Karlovsky, Ashley Tate, Sarah Anne Patz and Keith Tyrone Williams.
To tell the story, we use a variety of dance and movement techniques including hip-hop, jazz, fusion, folk, modern, dance, tap, ballet and Dunham technique. For our text, we have pulled excerpts from Emily and Jeff Lyon’s book Life Has Been a Blast as well as reflections of clients from PreTerm, a family planning clinic in Cleveland.
While offering beautiful dance and compelling short theatrical scenes, our production of "Becoming Emily" poses many questions. Does any belief system justify violence at this level? What issues should be considered when it comes to having an abortion? Whose decision is it? How does someone psychically survive massive trauma and continue to live a meaningful life?
Becoming Emily is a piece for our times. It examines the impact of violence on both individuals and their communities. And it is also a love story. A love story between Emily and Jeff Lyons and our love story to this remarkable woman.
In honor of their 40th year, NARAL Pro-choice Missouri will sponsor a reception on June 18 with Emily Lyons at the Black Cat Theatre. The reception is at 6:30 pm, Lyons speaks at 7 pm and the performance is at 7:30 pm.
Faith Aloud will also offer a reception on Saturday June 20 with a talk back following the show with Rabbi Susan Talve.
All performances will take place at The Black Cat Theatre in Maplewood on June 18 – 20, 2009 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 - $25 and may be purchased with cash or check at the door. Audience members may select to pay any price within that range. The Black Cat Theatre is located at 2810 Sutton Blvd. in Maplewood, MO 63143. Reservations are advised. For tickets call (314) 995-4600. More information: www.uppityco.com
Joan Lipkin is the Artistic Director of That Uppity Theatre Company and the recent recipient of SAGE’s first Visionary Award for her pioneering work in the theatre.
