The Kid Thing

By Sarah Gubbins

Directed by Joanie Schultz

Originally produced at Chicago Dramatists & About Face Chicago, IL .

September 1, 2011 through October 16, 2011

About the Premiere Production: When two lesbian couples who have been close friends for years get together for a dinner party, the unexpected news of an impending pregnancy rocks their relationships. Darcy, Nate, Leigh and Margot are four women in their mid-thirties who are each facing the parenthood question. When Jacob, an old college friend and the sperm donor of one of the couples, enters the picture, emotions run deep in this biting, witty piece with five different points of view on what it means to have a child erupt. As the playwright shared with us, “I wrote The Kid Thing in response to the question all childless women in their mid-thirties face, ‘So, are you thinking about the kid thing?’ Being a gay woman, the question seemed even more complicated. But this play was also a response to the deep questioning I observed from so many women on the brink of motherhood --- educated, mid-class, career-oriented, partnered women wrestling with whether they had the resources to be parents. This play examines how gay individuals and couples make life-altering decisions and how ideas about child-raising are often exacerbated by economic insecurities and internalized homophobia.

Artistic Statement: We are delighted to be producing the world premiere of Sarah Gubbins’ The Kid Thing at Chicago Dramatists, our first co-production with the acclaimed About Face Theatre. “The Kid Thing” presents a question confronted by most couples. Should we have kids? How will our relationship change? Will we be good parents? Sarah Gubbins’ new play provides us an inside look at how these two lesbian couples navigate the turbulent waters around this universal controversy.

Sarah’s work has been described as “whip smart”, “articulated with humor, grace, and precision”. and “written with sharp insight and hilariously astute dialogue.”. When asked what kind of theatre excites Sarah, she answers, “ I like a juicy Moral Dilemma. And theatre that asks a lot of the actors and the audience”. The Kid Thing does just this. We feel this play, due to its intelligence, wit and heart, is an important addition to the American repertory and will garner national interest in future productions.

Grant Statement: Support of the Edgerton Foundation will enhance this world premiere and see it realized at its highest level. The generous award has allowed us to extend the rehearsal time with actors and technical crew. Through this process, the playwright has been able to develop her play to its fullest potential. We are grateful for the support and this tremendous honor.

Director: Joanie Schultz

Set Design: Cheslea Warren

Lighting Design: Sarah Hughey

Sound Design: Miles Polanski

Costume Design: Izumi Inaba

Subsequent Productions: Co-production with About Face

MOXIE Theatre in San Diego, CA November 13, 2016 - December 11, 2016

The New Conservatory Theatre Center in San Francisco, CA November 6, 2015 - December 13, 2015

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