Two Elizas

By Jenny Mercein

Co-Directed By Lori Elizabeth Parquet & Ryder Thornton

May 4th - May 14th, 2023

Two Elizas, a new solo show by Jenny Mercein, explores the true story of Jenny's ancestor Eliza Mercein Barry, whose landmark 1847 U.S. Supreme Court case Barry v. Mercein established a woman's right to retain custody of her child. Jenny juxtaposes Eliza's story with her own complicated journey to motherhood, in a moving intergenerational reflection on resilience and women's rights.

REVIEWS

"A terrific character study of two very interesting women, alike in their feistiness, independence and pride. Jenny Mercein gives a master class performance!"

-Ruth Ross, NJ Arts Maven

“…for her new solo show, Two Elizas, she stumbled on a deeply buried story from her bloodline — a U.S. Supreme Court case involving a 19th-century relative’s efforts to retain custody of her child.”

-Kenneth Jones, ByKennethJones

“a one-woman tour-de-force!” “emotionally gripping” “a theatrical gift!” “Two Elizas is a story of passion and feeling, of struggle and triumph…I strongly recommend you see Two Elizas before its all-too-brief run ends.”

-Allen Neuner, Out In Jersey