Jessica Huang’s “The Birth of the Pill” premiered at TimeLine Theatre, prompting examination of Jonathan Eig’s history on oral contraception. Rather than adapting Eig’s tale, Huang challenges his narrative, focusing on how the story was told. Her play critiques not only Eig but also figures like Margaret Sanger, Katharine McCormick, and Gregory Pincus. These characters were instrumental in the development of the pill, yet Huang scrutinizes their motivations and actions.
Huang addresses Sanger’s ties to eugenics and the controversial testing in Puerto Rico, where women were given high doses of the pill without adequate consent. Three women died as a result, raising ethical questions about the trials. Huang gives voice to Ramona Delgado, one of these women, using her perspective to narrate the story. In a surprising twist, Eig appears toward the end, seemingly addressing criticisms and offering an apology.
The play diverges from the source material, presenting Huang’s viewpoint on the dismissive attitude of elite Americans towards the side effects. This highlights issues of racism and elitism prevalent during the trials. Planned Parenthood’s disavowal of Sanger in 2020 adds another layer to the already charged narrative. Huang’s play is unambiguous in its stance, but its predictability may detract from the intended message.
While Huang aims to debate the complexities of the pill, her narrative is heavily biased. The predictable portrayal of white characters contributes to this imbalance, neglecting the era’s context. Sandra Marquez’s production is energetic yet lacks depth, missing opportunities for historical exploration. Despite the humorous tone, the play needs more genuine representation of historical realities.
Huang could have explored the complexities of an innovation like the pill, which transformed women’s lives at a cost. Historical events are layered and ambiguous, and the play might benefit from embracing this complexity more fully. This reevaluation raises questions about the approach to adapting works with which one may fundamentally disagree.
“The Birth of the Pill” runs until Oct. 4 at TimeLine Theatre, showcasing Huang’s talents but demonstrating challenges in adaptation. Tickets are available at timelinetheatre.com.