AN IMMACULATE MISCONCEPTION
Sex in an Age of Mechanical Reproduction
A Play by Carl Djerassi (Stanford University)
www.djerassi.com
Carl Djerassi (45k)
Foreward (26k)
Program Note (23k)
Prologue (Year 2014) (21k)
Scene 1 (31k)
One of the most challenging issues of the 21st century is the impending separation of sex (in bed) and reproduction (under the microscope) as a result of recent advances in contraception and assisted reproduction. Many of the ethical and societal issues associated with these new reproductive technologies, notably intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), are raised in an unusual format — namely in dialogic form — which is both entertaining and pedagogically informative.
Readership: General.
"Carl Djerassi's thoughtful new play ... a host of intriguing issues about medical ethics, parenthood, and the rights of child ... a welcome and successful experiment."
"Stunning new play ... Wears scholarship lightly, using wit and humor to smuggle in serious scientific ideas."
"... wry and witty ... the play airs some of the ethical and social issues raised by in vitro fertilization ... appeals because of unusual plot, well-drawn characters, and the simple but effective touches of modern technology."
"... Brings science and theatre together in a way rarely seen ... an enjoyable and thought-provoking play."
"The play is fast-paced, entertaining and sprinkled with witty dialogue ... fascinating."
"An alternative to the usual fluff of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe."
"The triumph of Carl Djerassi's first theatrical work is to present the language of the laboratory in an involving, accessible fashion ... Engage your brain and see it."
"Djerassi's writing exhibits wit and warmth... a good, healthy 90-minute drama."
"Engrossing entertainment ... This production of Carl Djerassi's comedy screen drama is pretty much faultless."
"Djerassi has taken one of the most contentious, headline-grabbing and deeply personal issues on the front lines of modern science ... to write a play that is both intellectually engaging and personally dramatic."
"The show [invites] an audience to stretch into the strange new territory of reproductive science ... it uses dramatic suspense to animate real-world issues of personal and social responsibility."
"A humdinger of a play ... excellent theater which engages its audience with a well written story, well directed, and well acted."
| Marin Independent Journal |
"... unique combination of drama, wit, and science ... a fascinating production."
| Barre-Montpelier Times Argus |
| 152pp |
Pub. date: Jun 2000 |