Dejerassi's 'Taboos' Takes Abortion Issues From the Debates to the Stage

On July 25, 1978, Louise Brown, the world's first "test-tube baby" was born. Thirty years later, in-vitro fertilization remains a hot, controversial issue. Famed scientist and father of "the pill," Carl Djerassi brings us back to his scientific roots with Taboos. His "must see" play brings "funny, sexy science centre stage," presenting ethical, religious and thought provoking topics with fresh, complicated twists. The always divisive issue of "What makes one a parent? Love, genetics, giving birth?" lies at the center of Djerassi's play, questioning our traditional view of the nuclear family. Taboos was presented at London's New End Theatre in 2006 and opened to rave reviews, being called "…multi layered and intelligently written…," explor[ing] complex moral and ethical dilemmas."

Carl Djerassi is one of the world's most famous scientists, best known for the synthesis of the Contraceptive Pill, triggering the social revolution of the 1960's. For the past 20 years, Djerassi has been writing on the human aspects of science and was awarded the National Medal of Science by President Nixon at a time when he appeared on Nixon's infamous Enemies list. Djerassi aims to illustrate the human side of real scientists and the conflicts they face in their quest for scientific knowledge, personal recognition, and financial rewards through the rarely used genre of "science-in-fiction" and "science in theatre."

True to Carl Djerassi's envelope pushing ways, "Taboos" features Harriet and Sally who are lesbians living in a committed relationship in San Francisco. Sally wants a child, and Harriet's brother, Max, has offered to provide the sperm. Sally's brother Cameron is invited to the 'fertilization party', although he's unaware of the reasons for the celebrations. As a (fairly) fundamental Christian, he's horrified when events are revealed. However, because Cameron and his wife are having troubles in the begetting department themselves, he begins to think about the possibility of using medical science to deliver the goods. Taboos explores the unexpected, and often messy results, that arise when emotions and science collide.

Redshift Productions will present Taboos, whose cast includes Helen Merino (Fast Food Nation), John G. Preston (As You Like It, "Law and Order"), Julie Leedes (Films: Asylum Seekers, Hot for the Teacher), Jenn Schulte (Romeo and Juliet, "As the World Turns), and Blake Delong (Film: Sons of the Rodeo).

The science in Taboos is referred to as ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), which is a development on In-Vitro Fertilization.  The combination of Djerassi's research and scientific advancements has allowed for a success rate of about 50% for pregnancy from ICSI. This is an exceptional percentage in the field of reproductive science.

In addition to playwright and professor emeritus of chemistry at Stamford University, Carl Djerassi is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and of its Institute of Medicine, as well as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and several other learned societies. For the first synthesis of a steroid contraceptive, Djerassi received the National Medal of Science (1973), the First Wolf Prize in Chemistry (1978) and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall Of Fame (1978). He received the National Medal of Technology for his contributions in the insect control field (1991). The American Chemical Society honored him with its Award In Pure Chemistry (1958), Baekeland Medal (1959), Fritzsche Award (1960), Award for Creative Invention (1973), Award in the Chemistry of Contemporary Technological Problems (1983), Priestley Medal (1992), Willard Gibbs Medal (1997), and Othmer Gold Medal (2000).

TABOOS by Carl Djerassi, directed by Melissa Maxwell will play at the Soho Playhouse (15 Vandam Street), beginning performances on Wednesday, September 10 with its press opening Friday, September 19 and will run through October 19, 2008 at the SoHo Playhouse (15 Vandam Street)

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