The How and the Why

by Sarah Treem

Genres: Plays, Drama, Theatre

51 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2011

Reviews

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you can see "The How and the Why" as a staged theater show, I would highly recommend you do so. Seeing it is a transformative, if not a unique experience.

The play focuses on the lives of two women, both evolutionary biologists. One is a woman in her late twenties, Rachel Hardeman, doing research as a student at NYU. The other, Zelda Kahn, is already an established figure in the field of evolutionary biology.

The course of the play takes place in two acts. Both acts are different encounters between Zelda Kahn, and Rachel Hardeman. The first encounter takes place in Zelda Kahn’s office. There is an undertone of fury, when amid heated discussion over Rachel’s new scientific theory, it is revealed that Zelda is in fact Rachel’s mother. And later, that Zelda gave up Rachel for adoption. Both characters, before the play begins, are aware of this. And this relationship—-this broken role of mother and daughter—-do not drive the rest of the play, but rather, complicate these interactions.

This play, without giving too much [more] away, is masterfully written. As a theatre experience, it is not only refreshing to see two women solely share the stage, but it is (excuse me) about damned time more plays were written like this. This goes without saying "The How and the Why" is not a "woman's play" or a "feminist play." Although, it is concerned with these issues, it is the story of two individuals, and their despair and desires; loyalty and betrayals; the search for love and need to protect oneself. Which, after all, is what the most compelling stories boil down to.

[J Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ride them through.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tense clash between 2 feminist biology professors.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The How and The Why is a script worthy of multiple read-throughs (as a short one-act with a cast of two, this isn't particularly burdensome) in order to fully appreciate its themes, layers and characters' personal struggles.

Ostensively about two evolutionary biologists from different generations (56yoa vs 28yoa) with theories regarding the functions of menopause and menstruation respectively, this story mostly depicts the ways feminism has, and overwhelmingly has *not*, made women's options equal to those of their male counterparts. <- Of specific mention, how women compromise themselves to protect/elevate their male romantic partners.

The characters can be exasperating when they entrench themselves in their respective positions, which transcend generation, but not overwhelmingly so. At their worst, I still rooted for them, even when I rolled my eyes.

Productions details: Short one-act, two-person cast. Two scenes: Zelda's office and a dive bar (representing where Rachel feel comfortable - perhaps a commentary on class too?). So, no huge technical challenges to scare smaller theaters away.

One last night note, which contains spoilers, but nothing earthshattering - In the latter half of the play, Zelda admits she has Stage 3 breast cancer as a result of taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) after a hysterectomy nearly 30 years prior. I cannot stress enough: the HRT protocol which resulted in so many women's breast cancer is *not* the HRT of today. Contact your physician (or more than one) if peripause or menopause symptoms are wreaking havoc on your life.

PS. Jill Dolan's detailed and fantastic review of The How and The Way's first full production on her blog at The Feminist Spectator is worth a read. If goodreads doesn't links, it can be found in a web search (http://feministspectator.princeton.ed...)

[Janine Corman · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times a little bit heavy handed, but for the most part this was an emotionally likable and intellectually stimulating two-hander. You can feel how much thought goes into Treem's writing, and like in her television writing, you can easily appreciate this thoughtfulness. I gather that two person scenes are her forte.

[Jenna Tegge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this play for my HNRS 2020 class spring of my freshman year. There is a lot to unpack here and there are endless conversations to be had regarding the relationship between Zelda and Rachel. This book is definitely one that you need to read with another person because of how open ended this is.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

2W, 2 setting play. Interesting story about a daughter reconnecting with her biological mother, both who are evolutionary researchers. They discuss their theories about motherhood, menstruation, adoption, relationships, and being a woman in the science world.

[Aleigha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brainy with explosive heart.
A beautiful, beautiful play.

[emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just wasn't for me I guess.

[Denise Goodkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent script . I read it in one sitting

[Madeline Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god this play was so gripping. I couldn’t put it down. Best play I’ve read in a while.

[Mathilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

While there are a few moments of heavy-handedness with the dialogue, the play is overall engaging and a clever.

Treem's smarts and aptitude with characters who have layers upon layers of motivations shine in this play. Rachel is sympathetic in her unlikable uncertainty because of everything that's happened in her life.

I found myself wanting to see what Rachel did after the play. I wanted to see if she took to feminism as Zelda had in the second wave, or if she found herself starting with Zelda's advice and working towards third wave feminism which could help her find balance between her desire for a family and for a career in a way that Zelda's advice never will.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

p 48

RACHEL. Can I ask you something else?
ZELDA. Anything.
RACHEL. Is my whole life going to be this hard?
ZELDA. It depends what you do with it. It will either be hard or boring. You get to pick.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a play I need to read again. It's good, really good, but it will probably be a mite less confusing now that I have all the information. I like Sarah Treem's work and I would love to do a scene from this (if not the whole thing!)

[Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Really, makes you actually stop and re-read so your brain can wrap around the totally (I'm guessing) made up scientific ideas in this play. It's like a super good episode of Masters of Sex. Curious to read more of Sarah's work.

[Gwyneth Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3.75. I feel like read this before but I could be wrong. Read for my latest acting class. Some of this feels like it’s doing the opposite of what it wants to say. I don’t mind complications. I love angry and complicated women in plays so that was a love

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprised by all the stellar reviews which caused me to read it - however even for folk that work in theatre - it's hard to know how it plays unless you at least do a reading of it.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too intellectual for my taste, but a good read nonetheless.

[Lorelei Ignas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genius, duh