Ms.Feriend captures Jefferson's times so well. Through her very well written lines, she shows the characters in a very realistic light. I believe this is probably how they acted in the midst of the revolution and Mrs. Jefferson's gradual decline. She doesn't exaggerate to idolize these characters. She also shows slavery very plainly to be unacceptable in any age.This is a successfully modern look at the Jefferson household.

"SHE TUNES THE VIOLIN: The Life of Martha Jefferson" by Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend is a powerful historical drama that intricately portrays Martha Jefferson's life. The play skillfully explores her struggles with health, motherhood, and the complexities of being Thomas Jefferson's wife during the American Revolution. Feriend's dialogue is sharp and engaging, capturing the emotional intensity of Martha's relationships, particularly with Betty Hemings. The play's fast-paced dialogue and shifting settings require versatile staging, adding depth to the narrative. This evocative production offers a profound look at the personal sacrifices behind historical figures, making it compelling and unforgettable. A must read.

If all you know of Martha Jefferson is Betty Buckley's soaring voice singing "He Plays the Violin" in the musical "1776," then you must read this play. She was a complicated woman married to a complicated man amid a myriad of complicated relationships--husband and wife, master and slave, husband and slave mistress, wife and husband's slave mistress, mother and daughter, mother and too many deceased children. Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend breathes real life into people we encounter only as white marble statues, and other people we rarely encounter at all. It is a rich and rewarding--and yes, complicated--play.