Theatre keeps focus on women with My Left Breast

by Joey Guerra

Following in the footsteps of entertaining, female-driven productions like Me and Jezebel, A...My Name Is Still Alice and An Unnatural Women, New Heights Theatre is presenting its Solo Series, featuring three one-woman shows: The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, Pretty Fire (to begin in March) and My Left Breast, by Susan Miller is (currently playing).

"I am a one-breasted, menopausal, Jewish, bisexual, lesbian mom!" announces Susan (Carolyn Houston Boone) during her poignant, humorous monologue. After being diagnosed with breast cancer and having her left breast removed, Susan has to deal with a growing son, a career on hold and a breakup with her one true love, Franny.

Susan is a funny, sarcastic, well-meaning, sometimes selfish character who is trying her best to deal with a shatttering truth. After many misdiagnoses and go-nowhere relationships, she is trying to find a way to move on with her life, to say goodbye to her left breast.

The script by Miller brings up two interesting points: There isn't a narrow focus on the sickness, and Susan is a gay woman. Instead of doting on the medical effects of the disease, we see the emotional and social impact of breast cancer on Susan. We're also surprised to find out that she enjoys the company of women, which is wisely used as more of a coincidence than as a plot device. Susan is a female first and foremost, which is clearly in focus throughout the play.

Boone does wonderfully as Susan, centralizing all the anger and hurt into her soul. She immediately bonds with her audience, making them feel as if this could be anyone - a mother, a sister, themselves. While she flubs a few lines and overplays others, her performance is impressive and persuasive.

Director Deborah Kinghorn goes with the "less is more" adage, which works with the clear messages given by the script. The pacing is relaxed and comforting, accented by sparse staging and wise use of lighting.

If there is any fault within the play, it is the preachy tone taken by the script at certain times. When Susan's monologue turns into the "all doctors are jerks" angle, it seems a bit too much like a lecture. Also, a few thrown-in statistics, "One in eight women ..." adds little to the story.

Nevertheless, My Left Breast is entertainment worth seeing, especially for women. and men may like it, too.

New Heights Theatre continually proves the power of women and have produced another successful, entertaining piece.

My Left Breast plays at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 7 p.m. on Sunday through March 3. An encore performance at 5 p.m., March 17, will be part of a marathon week when all three shows are performed.

Tickets are $12 on Thursdays and Sundays, $15 on Fridays and Saturdays. For reservations for any of the three shows, call 869-8927.