The Play 'That Takes Ovaries' is not short of adjectives in the way it is described. Bold, gutsy, outrageous, audacious, estrogen fueled, full of chutzpah, shameless……the list goes on and on. Rivka Solomon, writer, founder/executive Director of this play is the true embodiment of all these: in one press coverage, we see her sporting a T shirt that has this statement “Well Behaved women rarely make history”.

Not that any of the women featured in the play are ill behaved. Rather “That takes Ovaries” is an open mike movement, a play and a best selling book that celebrates the personal triumphs of women and girls and the gutsy acts that they have done. If the play was staged to inspire men and women, it certainly succeeds in doing so. One of the co sponsors for this event was Saheli, the women’s support group in Boston. Said one of the Saheli Volunteers, “We supported this play because it fitted so well into the theme of empowernment of women”

When I was handed the Press kit of this extraordinary production, I could not help but notice that the stories written on it said it all. The invitation to come and see the play came from Ajeeta Dash, who plays an actor in one its stories. She takes the role of Ruchira Gupta, a courageous documentary film maker whose film 'the Selling of innocents' exposing the sex trade in Mumbai won an Emmy for 'Outstanding Investigative Journalism' as well as other international awards.

As I watch Ajeeta enact this powerful role with passion and a strong voice, I ask her if theatre played a major role in her life. Her answer surprised me, “Some where in March of this year, I joined the Diversity theatre in Cambridge and the acting workshop of Sam Endelson. I have been trained in Odissi but I have never been exposed to acting on stage before, “she said. "It was difficult at first, I had moments of stage fright but once you realize that unless you become the character and let go off all inhibitions, you cannot be an actor. Watching the documentary helped and Rivka and the rest of the cast were also very supportive".

When asked to describe her own personal triumph, she paused, “My own personal triumph? Hmm, let us see. To me it was coming to this country on my own, studying for my PHD at Northwestern and then coming over to Boston for my post doctoral research and making it through” Yes, that was it!

About 'That takes Ovaries'

The play had a 2-week run in Boston, MA. Staged readings and full productions have also been done in theaters and on campuses around the country, including in California, Washington DC, Nebraska, Minnesota and New York City. The play has generated over 120 press articles and Interviews in the U.S. and India, including Glamour and Jane Magazines, the Washington Post, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Detroit Free Press, NY Daily News, Times of India and Telegraph of India. It was also a Boston Globe bestseller. For more information contact Rivka Solomon // Writer * Executive Director THAT TAKES OVARIES! Rivka@thattakesovaries.org // www.thattakesovaries.org

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