Luna Stage Presents the World Premiere of TWO ELIZAS, May 4- May 14

Written and performed by Jenny Mercein, Two Elizas explores the true story of Jenny's ancestor, Eliza Mercein Barry.

By: Apr. 25, 2023
Enter Your Email to Unlock This Article

Plus, get the best of BroadwayWorld delivered to your inbox, and unlimited access to our editorial content across the globe.




Existing user? Just click login.

Luna Stage Presents the World Premiere of TWO ELIZAS, May 4- May 14

Luna-Stage/">Luna Stage has announced the World Premiere of Two Elizas, which will appear on Luna's MainStage for a two-week run May 4-14.

Written and performed by Jenny Mercein, Two Elizas explores the true story of Jenny's ancestor, Eliza Mercein Barry, whose landmark 1847 U.S. Supreme Court case Barry v. Mercein established a woman's right to retain custody of her child. Jenny juxtaposes Eliza's story with her own complicated journey to motherhood, in a moving intergenerational reflection on resilience and women's rights.

"Discovering the lineage of resilient women in my family line has been an incredible experience for me," says Mercein. " Learning about, and embodying, Eliza Mercein Barry has enabled me to view my own experiences of joy and pain in a new context."

"We are honored to be able to bring Jenny's powerful story to our audiences," says Luna Artistic Director Ari Laura Kreith. "Our 2023 season has explored the quest for bodily autonomy through multiple historical lenses, and this play provides a moving, honest glimpse into the challenges of motherhood across generations."

Mercein describes the play as "an intimate, shared experience which, despite the heaviness of some of the topics, I hope will bring laughter, healing, and inspiration."

"It has been a privilege to watch this work evolve from a reading at Luna last season to this full MainStage production," added Kreith. "One of Jenny's many gifts as a storyteller and performer is that she can find the ways humor and heartbreak intersect, and invite you to experience the truth of a painful moment in a way that is also hilarious and inspiring."

The production is co-directed by Lori Elizabeth Parquet and Ryder Thornton.

Two Elizas runs Thursdays-Sundays May 4th through May 14th. As part of Luna's commitment to equity and access, all tickets are offered on a sliding scale ($10-$80) and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Tickets are available at https://www.lunastage.org/two-elizas



Play Broadway Games

The Broadway Match-UpTest and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia? The Broadway ScramblePlay the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
Tony Awards TriviaHow well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends. Broadway World GameCan you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!

 



Videos