The Water Children
Cast size: 6 (2W, 4M)
Megan is an actress somewhere between "ingenue" and "Mom." When she loses a role to a younger woman, her agent convinces the pro-choice Megan to do a right-to-life commercial. Megan begins to date the unexpectedly compelling Randall, the pro-life organization's director, trying to put her beliefs aside, until their romance is shattered by Randall's militant minions and Megan's unexpected pregnancy.
Premiered at: Playwrights Horizons (1997)
Directed by: David Petrarca
Reviews:
"The Water Children...is simply the most intelligent and entertaining play of the season....A work tackling the ticklish issue of abortion as viewed by assorted pro-choicers, pro-lifers, and hetero- and homosexuals holds genuine promise along with a plethora of pitfalls. It is to Miss MacLeod's considerable credit that she fulfills most of the former while sidestepping most of the latter. Her seriocomic piece is as gripping as it is amusing, and best of all, abundantly stimulates thought." --John Simon, New York Magazine
"With its mixture of romance, humor and sadness as it addresses the issue of abortion, The Water Children...is a fascinating play." --The New York Times
"The Water Children...examines controversial issues with wit and candor, taking some wildly imaginative excursions." --Variety
"...in The Water Children...the writing is even handed, cogent, and captivating; an articulate debate touched with...passion and astringent comedy." --The Village Voice
Press bibliography:
Barnes, Clive. "Play about abortion rarely wanders off beaten tract." New York Post 4 November 1997.
Daniels, Robert L. "The Water Children (Review)." Variety 10 November 1997.
Feld, Bruce. "The Water Children (Review)." Drama-Logue 30 April 1998.
Gluck, Victor. "The Water Children (Review)." Back Stage 7 November 1997.
Houppert, Karen. "Apologies to the Unborn." American Theatre Magazine January 1998.
Jacobsen, Aileen. "On Abortion Rights and Making a Living." Newsday 4 November 1997.
Martinez, Julio. "The Water Children (Review)." Variety May 1998.
Shaner, Madeline. "The Water Children (Review)." Nightlife (Los Angeles) 16 May 1998.
Shirley, Don. "'Water Children' Plunges Into Abortion Controversy." Los Angeles Times May 1998.
Simon, John. "The Water Children (Review)." New York 24 November 1997.
Van Gelder, Lawrence. "Round 1: She Supports Abortion, He's Opposed." New York Times 6 November 1997.