La Jolla Playhouse will present Sovereignty Hymns, a commissioned work featuring a video series of original songs, beginning with "Hymn 1: For Love – Greta’s Story" June 3. Created by Abigail and Shaun Bengson (The Bengsons), the songs explore questions about reproductive liberty.
Inspired by interviews with people whose lives have been impacted by abortion, Sovereignty Hymns is timely in its investigation into reproductive rights. In a joint statement, the Bengsons said, “We’ve been writing these songs, these hymns, to hold one another’s bodies sacred, to honor the sanctity of everyone's right to birth or not to birth. We believe that every choice made around reproduction is a choice towards life—towards the life of the pregnant person, of the unborn child, and of the children already living. We hope that with these songs we will make space to have courageous conversations about the complexities and challenges of this issue, while above all honoring everyone's right to live freely in their own sovereign body.”
Abigail and Shaun Bengson are a composing and performing duo based in NYC, with theatre credits such as Hundred Days, The Lucky Ones, Where the Mountain Meets the Sea, Anything That Gives Off Light , and Iphigenia in Aulis. In addition to receiving the Jonathan Larson and Richard Rodgers Awards, they have also earned nominations for Drama Desk, Drama League, and Lucille Lortel Awards.
“The Bengsons are incredibly passionate and powerful storytellers, and their works always delve deeply into provocative personal issues. Sovereignty Hymns is yet another example of how they approach a delicate and often divisive topic with compassion and generosity—all with their singular musical vocabulary,” said Christopher Ashley, artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse, in a statement.
Tony-winning La Jolla Playhouse, founded in 1947, has presented 105 world premieres, commissioned 60 new works, and sent 33 productions to Broadway, including the hit musical Come From Away.
For tickets and more information, visit LaJollaPlayhouse.org.
