WCPT 820 Interview: Playwright Jessica Huang

Patti Vasquez is joined by Jessica Huang, playwright of “The Birth of the Pill,” having its world premiere at TimeLine Theatre through October 4th. Here is a brief summary of the conversation:- Timeline Theatre commissioned the play after pursuing the project for more than a decade.- Jessica described it as a play that is "in conversation" with Jonathan Eig’s "Birth of the Pill" book, rather than a direct adaptation of it.- Research and collaboration with Eig, Puerto Rican community members, historians, and Jessica’s husband shaped the portrayal of Puerto Rican women who were coerced into early pill trials.- The play examines how the pill expanded women’s ability to pursue education, careers, pleasure, and control over parenthood.- Jessica said the production reflects the vulnerability of reproductive rights after the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, while remaining funny, intimate, and accessible.- The Chicago production runs through October 4 at Timeline Theatre’s new Uptown location. Catch "Driving It Home with Patti Vasquez" weekdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/driving-it-home).   Follow us: Website: https://heartlandsignal.com WCPT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WCPT820 Heartland Signal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandSignal Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heartlandsignal  Heartland Signal X: https://x.com/HeartlandSignal WCPT 820 X: https://x.com/WCPT820 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandsignal Threads: threads.com/@heartlandsignal YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heartlandsignalSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.