photo by Mathew Caine

Article by Steve Hellman

“Keely and Du”, a drama about abortion from acclaimed playwright Jane Martin, will open for a three-week run at the Willits Community Theatre on Friday, October 7. This timely play, directed by Mathew Caine, centers on a young woman, Keely, who is abducted from an abortion clinic by a radical religious group, then incarcerated and handcuffed to a bed in an effort to force her to carry her pregnancy to term.

In the course of a balanced drama, Keely must find a way to retain her right to self-determination against impossible odds, while her captors try indoctrinating her into accepting their mindset. During her ordeal, she finds her way into a surprising friendship and understanding with her keeper, Du, a devout woman with an empathetic heart.

​The play was a finalist for the 1994 Pulitzer Prize. Director Caine says he was drawn to the power and complexity of the situations and dialogue in the play, while it also presents an even-handed discourse on the subject of terminating a pregnancy.

Caine says the play poses the dilemma: “Which is the more moral position, preserving and nurturing the ‘life’ of a potential child or allowing a woman to make her own choices about her body and her autonomy?” He assures that the audience is left free to make their own decision.

On a basic level the play demonstrates how two people, even though diametrically opposed in their concept of life and morality and religion, find a way to listen to each other and form a friendship based on their mutual humanity.

Starring in the production are Elizabeth Dellett as Keely and Cindi Mohr as Du. Also appearing are Jeff Shipp, Joshua Sternberg, Kyle Brandon, and Amythyst Romero. The play runs October 7 through 23, with shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. Tickets are $15 for Thursday and Sunday, $20 for Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available at the door or online at: www.wctperformingartscenter.org.

“Keely and Du” contains adult language and themes, and is not recommended for children under the age of 14. While vaccinations against Covid and the wearing of facial coverings are recommended at the theatre, they are not required.