Funny, Like an Abortion

Non-Uterus-Having-People Required Viewing

If I could make a random new law governing people’s bodies like the government does, it would be that you are legally required to see this show. And then write an essay on it.

Moving, timely, and surprisingly funny

There is something magical about live theater when people put their whole self into a performance, and the performances in this were incredible. The writing occasionally dips into cliches I could do without, but every moment is sold beautifully. Dark humor can be very hit or miss and the show managed to be genuinely funny without undercutting any of its more serious moments. Absolutely wonderful show, see it if you can.

Can I give this 6 kitties? I want to.

This show was outstanding. Serious and timely topic, done with enough humor to make it accessible to even those who might not want to indulge in this subject matter. Very well acted and staged. And if anyone thinks that our post-Roe world is as bad as it gets, well, everyday it continues to get worse and it will until all of the voices of the pro-choice rise up and act.

It's Funny like.. you know the rest

AMAZING. TIMELY. FUNNY. BEAUTIFUL. It felt like I was their friend in a weird way. The way they interacted with each other felt so genuine that I had no problem pulling myself in. The ending was especially heartbreaking yet empowering. My only critique was the breaking of the 4th wall at the beginning but I totally understand why it was necessary. A must see...see it twice

Necessary Message, Good Show

A timely look at an unfortunately all too potential future. A meaningful show with just enough humor to balance the grimness.

The most important show of the season.

We all love some good, silly entertainment when we Fringe- but this is the most important, and most expertly performed, show of the season. I was thrilled to see 1/2 of my small audience was men, and challenge the men of our community to go! I TRULY hope to see this production grow, tour, and be recognized as it deserves. This is the most important work I’ve seen this year, and it deserves everyone’s attention.

Pro-choice production w/ humor and w/o stridency

Great script selection, directing, and acting. If you are wondering about the title, it hits the production right on. Humor galore but appropriate seriousness to a serious topic.

Riveting

Content not as far-fetched as some may think. Unabashedly performed with sardonic wit and passion. A Fringe play for our times and a must see for sure.

Important and Heartbreaking

Poignant, witty, human. Funny, Like an Abortion shows a slice of life of a dark, not-so-distant (current?) future where abortion is outlawed and god's will reigns supreme over the USA and people must resort to unsafe para-medical practices. Brilliantly acted and directed, this show is a necessity both to see and to act as a clarion call for people with uteruses and their allies to fight harder for reproductive rights.

Chilling and Powerful

I hope this show finds a bigger audience for its last three shows. It’s chilling, powerful and very well written and acted. I appreciate the information and resources provided in the program.

Important reality check in the wake of Roe v. Wade

I wept through most of this performance. With Roe v. Wade overturned this year, it can be easy to disconnect ourselves from this new reality in the bubble that is Minnesota; but things have already started to change. It was really helpful and grounding to remember this isn’t normal. Our current world and the dystopian fiction we millennials have become obsessed with are not that different anymore. Super scary to see but important and very well done from both the actors. The light moments were almost just as hard but they were crucial for us audience members in wading through this concept. Encompass once again brings an important narrative to the fringe scene.

Hilarious, heartbreaking & too close for comfort

Go see this show! The chemistry between the two actors is palpable. They are keyed into each other the whole time, bouncing off each other’s energy, and you’re taken on a believable journey in their friendship. I found myself relishing the humour as it added much needed levity for the more sobering parts of the play that sadly don’t seem too far from reality. The two actors use that humour to mask and hide from the devastating reality they face and when we see moments of vulnerability from them, I felt such a communal reaction within the audience. Brilliantly directed and acted. Just. Go see this show, ok??

Dystopian Fallopian Fallout

Shows like this can often feel like they're preaching to the converted as the arts community tends to lean politically liberal, and this one was maybe 60% that, but it's still often important to provide the information to anyone who may be stepping outside of their comfort zone and challenging those in the audience who otherwise aren't seeking out content on reproductive justice. It was, let's say, interesting to learn about different methods of home abortion that desperate people have resorted to when needing to terminate a pregnancy. The two actors were skilled and had believable chemistry as close friends, but among the many lessons they teach us, the final one ought to have been: do not have sex with men who won't buy you tampons when you're menstruating, an infraction that Tyler (or Kyle? I don't remember the boyfriend's name) was mentioned to have committed. Moments of comic relief broke tension, but I think it would have been alright to let us sit with those moments of discomfort a bit more - it's okay, maybe even good and preferable, for art to make us uncomfortable. I appreciated that numerous resources were provided in the program.

Hilarious and heartbreakingly honest

This was an exceptional theatre experience that was engaging, thought provoking, and executed at a high level. 12/10

An Honest Exploration of a Not-So-Far-Off Future

What a wonderful piece. The fears that these two women experience are so important, and it's wonderful that they're being communicated like this. The performers have incredible chemistry, and play off each other expertly.

Everyone needs to watch this show.

This show presents important information about where our government is trending in terms of abortion access. The writing is smart, the direction is amazing and the cast and crew are wildly talented. I believe this show accurately depicts the future for women if we don’t advocate for accessible and safe abortions for all. ABORTION IS HEALTHCARE!

Powerful message

This play takes place in a not-too-distant future where abortions are illegal, listening devices are everywhere, and birth control is available to only a few people. I am glad to live in Minnesota where health care for women is still legal. This reminded me of the book The Handmaid's Tale (less singing than the opera and I haven't seen the tv show so can't compare.) It was unsettling that women ( and men and others) who knew medicinal properties of herbs were burned or drowned as witches, and knowledge was lost. There was more herbal knowledge than abortifacients-only. For some people it is better to lose knowledge than it is to know how to prevent or end a pregnancy even at the cost of a woman's life. The methods depicted in the show are not safe to try at home!

Laugh so as not to cry

Between the silly quips of this play, there were numerous moments I caught myself having hard reflection thoughts of “well, what will I do if all my choices are taken from me?” This was a difficult, but necessary reality check in. I appreciated the important commentary on the privileges of money in alternatives as well. Add this one to your Fringe docket.

A Pertinent Horror Story

Scarily familiar, but still funny and heartwarming where it needs to be. Bit at the end felt a bit preachy and unnecessary to me, but if someone who is anti-abortion managed to stumble into this show and stay till the end, I see why it would be necessary.

A Must See if you care about Womens rights!!

The rest of society is returning to being barbarians? Stop going backwards. Get updated on the latest! Losing our rights is not funny!

A powerful story missing its impact

This is from seeing show #5. In one sentence: a steady, fast-paced tempo in script pacing made for an exhausting experience on a bravely and creatively told social justice topic. In three sentences: social justice theatre always deserves a place on stage, helping people unite or challenge narratives of what people know and don’t know about taboo issues. The two Fringers seemed to emphasize pace and information sharing over listening to each other as re-enactors, causing me to often struggle to listen points being made in both fiction and non-fiction realms created. But this show has fairly informative notes, most worthy at the end to address what we really need to progress to so we can be called one day actually be known as “United States of America."

YES YES ALL DAY YES

This is necessary theater. I will say I felt a bit sick at times, the content is heavy. The show took a dystopian bent for dramatic effect but the content is triggering enough as is... we could have maybe done without it. THAT SAID- my opinion is coming from someone living in a sanctuary state- I have privileged access. Tangentially I was encouraged by the number of men in the crowd.

Must See

This piece has sat like a frog in my throat all week. This show shouldn't have had to be written. But thankfully, these brave artists were (and are) willing to keep fighting and holding the future accountable for the past. A heavy reminder that we can all do more presently.

Worth Your Time

If EnCompass Theatre isn’t a household Fringe name to you already, it will be soon. Casey Marie Holmes found a unique script that tackles the very real possibility of abortion access (or lack thereof) across the country. It’s laced with both humor and fear, and Olivia and Stephanie have incredible chemistry as the two best friends in this script. I enjoyed the believable performances from both of these strong actors. You won’t regret checking this one out!

Engaging, informative, and heartbreaking

I cried from a place of deep sorrow, frequently, but was surprised and delighted to have laughed far more than I had expected. A stunning portrayal of a terrifying and truly dangerous situation that people experience each day. This play reminded me that advocacy and protest can take many forms. Thank you Encompass Theater, Casey, Olivia, Stephanie and all others involved for your heavy and important work.

EnCompass Theatre Does It Again!

I was enough lucky to see EnCompass Theatre's past Fringe shows (R Culture and Shoe Night) and I'm so glad that they're becoming a staple of the Minnesota Fringe. Casey Marie Holmes deftly directs a script that tackles the critical fight for reproductive rights and dangers of at- home abortion options- it's directed with both deep care and a touch of dark humor. Olivia Dubiel's Monroe, who puts a cheerfully morbid facade over her anxieties, and Stephanie Kahle's cautious but deeply loyal Jade play fantastically off of each other. With such clear chemistry and stakes, you are instantly invested in Monroe and Jade's friendship and the world of the play. Top it off with a fantastic set design and a sobering, powerful ending, this production is NOT TO BE MISSED! Thank you EnCompass Theatre for producing such an important, timely show!

Morbidly Hilarious

WOW! If you have a dark sense of humor this show is for you! I was laughing and grimacing because of just how relatable this play is to anyone with a uterus. The playwright has an incredible attention to detail and Stephanie and Olivia deliver the script brilliantly. Also, THE ENDING!!! Exactly how you should end a play like this, well done!

Sadly, far too real…

If you care about your rights, and in particular one’s right to have an abortion, see this show! It takes place in a time where private lives are monitored and abortions are illegal everywhere in the U.S. For many folks with uteruses, this is already happening - many have to contend with expensive travel costs, delay of care while finding appointments out of state, the guilt of hiding…. The show is brilliant. Thought-provoking and funny. Olivia and Stephanie nail their performances. Even if you aren’t able to see the show, do make a pledge to VOTE!!

Please see this show!

"Funny, Like an Abortion" is one of my favorite shows I have ever seen. Both actresses on stage delivered an amazing performance that drew both laughs and tears and I am so thankful to have watched this show, it was truly magnificent. Thank you to the director Casey Marie Holmes for creating this piece, please see this show if you can!

Amazing show

Everyone should see this show. I learned so much, this show was freaking amazing.