Wit
Notes
Director’s Notes
Based on her experiences as an administrative assistant in the oncology unit
of the National Institutes of Health, Margaret Edson has written a brutal and
stunning play about one woman’s struggle to make sense of the worlds of art and
science; the sonnet and the sonogram. Dr. Bearing, a 17th Century Poetry
professor specializing in the Holy Sonnets of John Donne, is intimidating,
unforgiving and disciplined, characteristics destined to help her face the pain
and loneliness of her fight against ovarian cancer. And yet, her brilliance
transforms her witty observations of her condition, her caregivers and her
treatment. We see the paradoxes, the intellectual and verbal ingenuity of the
world around her. In the end, words fail her; science fails her; only the loving
embrace of another human being can assuage the mental and physical pain. Somehow
we are all transformed by her struggle, her humor, and ultimately, death to
provoke our own thoughts on life, death, and immortality.
About Ovarian Cancer
*In 2009, approximately 21,500 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Approximately 14,600 women died of the disease.
*One woman out of 71 has a risk of developing ovarian cancer in her life
time. One woman out of 95 has a chance of dying from invasive ovarian cancer.
*Ovarian cancer is most common in older women. About half of those women are
60 or older.
*Over 80% of all women with ovarian cancer will not be diagnosed until the
disease has spread beyond the ovary. This is because the symptoms of early
ovarian cancer are often vague and can mimic other common medical problems.
*For the small number of women who are fortunate enough to have their cancer
diagnosed before it has spread beyond the ovary (less than 20%), the 5 year
survival rate is 93%.
*Ovarian cancer is more common in white women than African-American women.
Setting
The play takes place in a patient room at a University Hospital
Comprehensive Cancer Center and various places in the memories of Vivian
Bearing.
Acknowledgements
The Elden Street Players would like to thank the following
people and local businesses for their continued support, and for helping to make
this another successful production.
The Tortilla Factory
Town of Herndon Parks and Recreation
Department
Town of Herndon Department of Public Works
Great Harvest Bread Company
Arlington County Fire Department
Signature Theatre
The Arlington Players (TAP)
Touch of Class Beauty Salon
Eleanor Gomberg
Ian Brown
Hilary and Todd Huse
Rachel Culbertson
Corinne Grishkat
Falls Church Presbyterian Church
