David Pierini's new play "Finding Our Voice: Susan B. and the Women's Suffrage Movement" places the historical elements of the story in an accessible personal context. Pierini tells the story of Susan B. Anthony's nearly lifelong battle to gain for women the right to vote through his central character, a young woman named Mary Foster.
Pierini picks up Foster's story near the end of Anthony's life but just as the younger woman (a charming Sarah Clancy) is gaining an understanding of the burgeoning women's movement. Foster meets Anthony (the superb Jamie Jones) over the objections of her concerned father, and she becomes inspired to go to Washington, D.C., and join the front lines of the suffrage movement. There we see her work with Alice Paul's (also Jones) National Women's Party as they picket Woodrow Wilson's White House trying to embarrass the president into siding with them. Wilson (Ed Claudio) has the protesters jailed but their hunger strikes eventually get public attention, and Wilson is forced to finally support the women's movement.
Rick Kleber, Greg Alexander and Claire Rigsby all energetically portray numerous characters in the story.
This dramatic play for children – part of B Street's Family Series – is co- directed by Pierini and Jerry Montoya. It slightly simplifies the history but remains faithful and factual in its depiction of actual events.
FINDING OUR VOICE: SUSAN B. AND THE WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT
Three stars
What: A new B Street Theatre Family Series play by David Pierini. Recommended for 8 years old and up.
When: Continues at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through April 14.
Where: B3 Stage, 2727 B St., Sacramento
Tickets: $18-$27
Time: 95 minutes including one intermission
Information: (916) 443-5300; www.bstreettheatre.org
Call The Bee's Call The Bee's Marcus Crowder, (916) 321-1120. Follow him on Twitter @marcuscrowder.
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