Kathleen Chalfant, Marin Ireland & More to Lead Reading of New Winter Miller Play SPARE RIB

On January 22nd at 6:30 PM, the anniversary of Roe V. Wade, playwright Winter Miller will be hosting an "abortion extravaganza" reading of her new play, SPARE RIB, as part of a nationwide series of events in conjunction with #ShoutYourAbortion. The reading will take place at The LGBT Center at 208 West 13th Street. SPARE RIB, described by the New Yorker as a "quasi-comic drama about abortion" is a conversation starter. It is a comedic, fantastical, bold and semi-true journey of women who knew the secrets of plants and herbs and provided abortions before women's bodies were medicalized and made government property. The story jumps from the distant past to today's providers, who despite stigma and threats on their lives to make that choice possible. Expect a time-traveling odyssey, that feels one part Coney Island, one part happening and one part theater.

The reading is co-directed by Miller and Jessi Hill (Hi, Hitler! at 59E59, Wink at terraNOVA Collective, Human Fruit Bowl at Baruch Performing Arts Center) and features Kathleen Chalfant (House Of Cards, The Affair, Angels in America), Marin Ireland (Girls, Homeland, The Big Knife), Zainab Jah (Eclipsed, Hamlet, In Darfur), Quincy Tyler Bernstine (Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play, Ruined, In The Next Room), Heidi Schreck (Circle Mirror Transformation), Keira Naughton (The Quartos, The Rivals, The Three Sisters), Jessica Frances Dukes (Bootycandy, King Hedley II, Zombie the American), and Kate Rigg (The Band Slantyeyed Mama, The Jammer, Dogeaters) with Rebecca Hart, Dominique Morisseau, Jody Christopherson and Jocelyn Kuritsky. The production team includes Rebecca Goodman, Jillian Carucci, Virginia Alber-Glanstaetten, Abigail Barr, Jody Christopherson, and Susan Bernfield.

SPARE RIB's development has received support from New Georges, The Civilians, The Lark, and the Blue Mountain Center, with special thanks and tribute to the those among us working tirelessly and courageously to provide safe and legal abortions for all, regardless of class or geography.

Admission to SPARE RIB is a suggested donation of $20. Reservations for the event can be made at: https://gaycenter.org/sparerib.