Reborning Review - A Dramaty Showing A New Way of Motherhood

 

How far would you go to create a family?  How do you define motherhood?  For some, it is holding a baby – even if the child is not real.  

On  it’s 25^th anniversary, The Fountain Theatre produced another hit as Reborning, an edgy new drama, opened on January 24, 2015.  Written by Zayd Dohrn, directed by Simon Levy, and produced by Stephen Sachs and Deborah Lawlor along with James Bennett.

 

The play stars Kristin Carey (as Emily),  Ryan Doucette (Daizy), along with Joanna Strapp (Kelly)  and centers around a young artist who crafts custom made baby look-alike dolls for families who have lost their children only to suspect that her demanding client may be the mother who abandoned her at birth.  In the course of this emotionally moving play, Kelly tries to unravel a mystery that leads to her own “reborning” as she heals from her traumatic past.    

 

The dark play has some mystical moments as well as some comedy, especially when Daizy, Kelly’s boyfriend who molds fake penis statues, tries to romance Kelly and coax her out of her doldrums and obsession with the baby doll that she is now creating. 

 

The fabulous acting was played with emotion and pathos, and the story kept the viewer engrossed and guessing for the whole hour and half. 

While I found nothing to object to, there were, however, many sexual scenes and innuendos that might upset someone sensitive about the subject. 

 

There is no intermission for this event and it is not needed.  

I didn’t know that reborn dolls are now a fashion.  Created by artists and made to resemble human babies, they are often hard to tell from a sleeping child.  Because of their realistic appearance, these “babies” have been mistaken by passer-bys when left in parked cars and discovered only when the police are called.  The playwright says he stumbled on these dolls when his own wife was pregnant and he read testimonials of how these “babies” comforted parents.  These dolls often come with fake birth or adoption certificates and the “parents” care for them as they would a real infant. 

 

Jeff McLaughlin designed the set while Jennifer Edwards did the lighting.  Sound was by Peter Bayne, while Naila Aladdin Sander did the costume.  Misty Carlisle did the set and Amy Karich was the consulting doll artist.  Shawna Voragen assisted as stage manager while Terri Roberts was the production stage manager.  Public relations was accomplished by Lucy Pollak.  Photography was done by Ed Krieger'.

The play runs through March 15, 2015, with performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2 p.m.   Tickets range from $15-34.95.  Students and seniors receive discounts and last minute tickets are available for $15.  Parking is available for $5.  The Fountain Theatre is located at 5060 Fountain Ave (near Normandie.)  The theatre, itself, is wheelchair accessible though the café upstairs is not.  For tickets call 323-663-1525 or check out Fountain Theatre.