Funny, Like An Abortion
Written by Rachel Bublitz
Directed by Paige Conway
April 25, 2024 - May 11, 2024
7:00pm, Thu/Fri/Sat/Mon and 3:00pm Sun, April 28 & May 5, James Levin Theatre. Previews April 25 & 26. Opening Night is April 27.
EVERY TICKET is “Choose What You Pay” and will be offered online, over the phone, and at the Box Office.
Set in a future America where even saying the word “abortion” is a crime, this play is about loyalty, friendship, and value of freedom. National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere.
Featuring: Andrea de la Fuente, Maggie Adler
Funny, Like An Abortion was originally developed with PlayGrounds 25th and 26th Festival of New Works with Jim Kleinmann as Artistic Director.
CONTENT DISCLOSURE: Funny Like an Abortion by Rachel Bublitz is a serious play about reproductive rights. The play contains frank discussion of misogyny, pregnancy, reproduction, abortion, and the oppression of the freedom of speech. It also contains strong language and mention of self-harm. We believe it is an important work that speaks to one of the most critical issues of our time, an issue that has been shied away from by most theatres in the country due to the considerable controversy and contention this issue brings up. We believe in work that nurtures compassion and raises consciousness and we believe Funny Like An Abortion does just that. We share this Rolling World Premiere as part of the National New Play Network with Mile Street Theatre in New Jersey and Vortex Theatre in Texas. For details or additional content, please contact the Box Office at 216.631.2727 x501 or by emailing boxoffice@cptonline.org.
The James Levin Theatre is ADA-compliant featuring a patron elevator and an all-gender, wheelchair accessible restroom.
The Creative Production Team Includes:
Director & Line Producer: Paige Conway
Stage Manager: Yesenia Real
Scenic Designer: Laura Carlson Tarantowski
Lighting Designer: Libby Zamiska
Costume Designer: Amanda Rowe-Van Allen
Sound Designer: Angie Hayes
Props Designer: Lisa L. Wiley
Meet Playwright Rachel Bublitz
CPT: What are some of your other interests when you’re not writing?
Rachel Bublitz: My kids are 14 and 16 years old, so it’s a nice age. I was thinking, man, they both do a lot of sports, so a lot of my job is taking them from one activity to another activity. My son swims and so recently I just became a swim official.
CPT: When did you start writing plays and what made you start writing them?
RB: My dad took me to the opera, and I started as an actor and directing in high school. I always thought I would try writing eventually since I was about 9 or 10. I’ve kept journals and I’m pretty dedicated to filling them, so I just thought, “oh, this can’t be that hard” and then it was very hard, but it was hard in a way that was really fulfilling and now I’ve been writing for over 10 Years
Click here to read the full interview!
A Word About Funny, Like An Abortion. . .
Abortion is an important topic of our time. This play doesn’t diminish this fact ― if anything it amplifies the issue. The play is pro-reproductive rights, but it is also complex and nuanced. It is not a proposal for a specific action nor a simple statement.
Art is not neutral. We value the right of free speech and the importance of specific communities speaking for themselves. CPT embodies this spirit through its work, including Y-Haven Theatre Project and productions from Teatro Público de Cleveland and Masrah Cleveland Al-Arabi. This production is produced in such a context.
This is one of a number of plays that we produce each year that are brand new plays that delve into the most important issues that we face. We do this work to impact local communities and within a national context. As a leader within the National New Play Network, CPT is one of three theatres across the United States selected to produce this play.
Funny, Like An Abortion In The Media!
“A must see“ – Christine Howey, Cleveland Scene
Click here to read article
enhance your experience
Opening Night | April 27 – Ticket includes free admission to the post-show opening party with appetizers and beverages! Mingle with cast members!
Post Show Talk | April 26 – Meet Playwright Rachel Bublitz
Post Show Talk | May 3 – Join members of Preterm as they discuss the state of abortion rights today as it relates to themes in Funny, Like An Abortion. They will be joined by the play’s director Paige Conway.
Market Monday | May 6 –Ticket includes admission to pre-show pop-up market spotlighting local visual artists, retailers, entrepreneurs, and more! Beginning one hour prior to every Monday night performance.
Post Show Talk | May 10 – “Perspectives on Abortion in Ohio: Insights from Healthcare, Education, and Advocacy Exploring the Play’s Portrayal of a State Controlled Future.” Join Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio’s experts for a vibrant, honest, and thought-provoking discussion as we examine what we know, what we are still doing, and how we can work together for the future of abortion access in Ohio.
Free Bev Friday – Every Friday night at CPT is Free Bev Friday. Free beer, wine, ready to drink cocktails and soft drinks are served after the performance for about an hour. Join the staff and artists of CPT, talk about the show, and have a drink on us. And remember, hot beverages like coffee and tea are always complimentary at CPT performances. (Please note: While liquor used in mixed drinks will not be complimentary, the mixer will be discounted from your total.)
Click here to learn more about each event!
About the Playwright: Rachel Bublitz
Rachel Bublitz is an internationally produced playwright known for telling stories about women and creating exciting new work for young performers. She won the Will Glickman Award for Best Premiere Play in the San Francisco Bay Area for Ripped (World Premiere at Z Space). Other plays include: Burst (World Premiere at Alleyway Theatre, developed at The Road Theatre Company), Of Serpents & Sea Spray (World Premiere at Custom Made Theatre), My Body (produced at Barrington Stage Company, developed at the Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Festival), and Let’s Fix Andy (developed at Salt Lake Acting Company). Rachel has published plays with Playscripts (Biz Town), Dramatic Publishing (The Night Witches), Original Works Publishing (Ripped), Stage Partners (The Book Women), and YouthPLAYS (The Summer I Howled). Rachel resides in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her family. When she isn’t writing she’s most likely to be watching her kids dominate at water polo. For more visit: RachelBublitz.com.
About the Director: Paige Conway
Paige is a director, AEA stage manager, and theatre educator from Flint, Michigan. She holds a BFA in Theatre, with a focus in Directing from Michigan State University. With over 12 years of experience as a competitive gymnast, it’s no surprise she found her niche in physical theatre, and is passionate about the physical, mental, and emotional accessibility and safety it offers in a theatrical process. During the pandemic, she began training as an intimacy choreographer through TIE (Theatrical Intimacy Education). Paige is also occasionally a playwright. In 2021 her play Tag received a virtual development process with Drafted; A New Play Workshop. She’s so glad to be with CPT and excited to be working with this wonderful community of artists. Some favorite credits include: Lungs (director, Kickshaw Theatre); Wrong River (stage manager, Flint Repertory Theatre); Dreamscape – the Collaboratory (director/devisor, Young People’s’ Theater); She Kills Monsters (producer/director, CHS Theatre Guild); Songs For a New World (stage manager; Flint Repertory Theatre); These Mortal Hosts (director, Williamston Theatre); Dr. Fox and the Impossible Cure for Death (stage manager, imaGEN Project – Wharton Center for Performing Arts); Milvotchkee, Visconsin (stage manager, Kickshaw Theatre); The Wolves (stage manager, Flint Repertory Theatre); The Wonderful, Wacky Witches Podcast (director/audio editor, CHS Theatre Guild).
In partnership with the National New Play Network (NNPN), Funny, Like An Abortion was originally developed with PlayGrounds 25th and 26th Festival of New Works with Jim Kleinmann as Artistic Director. Other partner theaters are Mile Square Theatre (Hoboken, NJ) and The VORTEX (Austin, TX). For information visit nnpn.org.
NNPN is an alliance of professional theatres that collaborate in innovative ways to develop, produce, and extend the life of new plays. NNPN’s Rolling World Premiere Program supports three or more theatres that choose to mount the same new play within a 12-month period, allowing the playwright to develop a new work with multiple creative teams in multiple communities. The playwright is part of the process, working on the script and making adjustments based on what is learned from each production. Click here for more information.
Reproductive Rights Resources and Other Helpful Organizations
If you find yourself seeking additional resources based on the topics brought up in Funny, Like An Abortion, here are some organizations that may help.
Planned Parenthood (Cleveland)
Planned Parenthood’s mission is to ensure all people have access to the care and resources they need to make informed decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their futures. Founded in 1916, Planned Parenthood is a trusted health care provider, educator, and passionate advocate here in the U.S. as well as a strong partner to health and rights organizations around the world. Each year, Planned Parenthood delivers vital sexual and reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of people. www.plannedparenthood.org
Preterm
Preterm is Ohio’s only independent, non-profit abortion clinic. They have provided safe, empathetic abortion care for 50 years and continuously work to make abortion accessible for everyone. In addition to abortion care, they provide sexual healthcare services such as STI Testing and birth control consultation. www.preterm.org
Mobilize the Vote
This organization connects with disenfranchised & disengaged voters to build trust, develop relationships, empower voters, focus on issues that matter.
NAMI of Greater Cleveland
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Greater Cleveland is dedicated to empowering those living with mental illness and their family members to achieve a better quality of life by providing education, support, information and referral, and advocacy.
Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-Suicide)
Frontline Services, Cuyahoga County – 24 Hour Crisis and Suicide Hotline 216-623-6888
