The producers of Broadway’s “Call Me Izzy” have launched a new initiative, “Izzy’s Project.” Through a series of weekly post-performance talkbacks, “Izzy’s Project” partners with a different organization each week to offer social impact-themed dialogue, taking a deep dive into the themes explored onstage in the Jean Smart-led play, including resilience, the transformative power of literature and the journey of finding a way out of abusive relationships and domestic violence.
“For us, ‘Call Me Izzy’ is about more than one woman’s story — it’s about starting a conversation,” said producers Robert Ahrens, Ben Holtzman, Sammy Lopez and Fiona Howe Rudin in a statement. “Through ‘Izzy’s Project,’ we’re honored to partner with organizations doing vital work at the intersection of literature, justice and empowerment. This collection of talkbacks creates space to reflect on the strength it takes to overcome adversity, how to recognize the warning signs of abuse and why access to education must be protected. Our hope is that audiences leave the theater not only moved, but motivated to engage more deeply with the world around them.”
The inaugural talkback, which took place following the June 17 performance, was a collaboration with PEN America, a nonprofit that “stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide.” Jonathan Friedman, PEN America’s managing director of U.S. free expression programs, along with “Call Me Izzy” director Sarna Lapine and scribe Jamie Wax, led a conversation that examined the importance and value of literature and the rise of book bans.
“Every single human culture does it — just like we seek water, we seek shelter, we seek food — we tell each other stories,” Wax said. “Sharing stories and telling your own story, telling the stories that come up and come out of you when you deeply empathize with others, is a need.”
Additional organizational partners have been announced for “Izzy’s Project,” including No Book Bans (following the June 26 performance), Women’s Community Justice Association (July 10), One Love (July 24), Joyful Heart (July 31) and V-Day (Aug. 7).
Finally, a Little Free Library, where patrons can leave a book and take a book, has been temporarily installed in the lobby of Studio 54, home of “Call Me Izzy.”
Set in rural Louisiana, “Call Me Izzy” follows Izzy (Smart), who must hide her passion and proclivity for writing poetry from her abusive husband. The solo play began previews on May 24, opened on June 12 and is scheduled to play a limited engagement through Aug. 17.
“Call Me Izzy” is produced by Robert Ahrens and P3 Productions (Holtzman, Lopez and Rudin).
