←Recommendations of The Life of Martha Jefferson

"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.

A deep dive into history that is untold. Dellagiarino Feriend provides us with a glimpse of people overshadowed by the founding father (Jefferson) and we are better for it. A deep dive into our country's roots that does not shy away from the bigger issues of slavery, female autonomy, and what freedom really looks like. Gorgeous piece!

Having the opportunity to watch "She Tunes The Violin" as part of the Powerstories festival was truly a special experience. It was evident that Lisa poured her heart and soul into this project, and as a historical play enthusiast, I found it to offer a truly unique perspective. This production goes beyond merely recounting history; it delves deep into the lives of the individuals involved. I admire Lisa's courage in confronting the harsh realities of the past and, more importantly, in giving a voice and prominence to the often-overlooked perspectives of Martha and Jefferson's "servants."

So much of history is written from the white man’s perspective. In SHE TUNES THE VIOLIN we learn about Martha Jefferson and the way she led and lived her life. This full-length play is beautifully researched and presented, giving us a glimpse of the life of this young woman and the society in which she lived.. This piece was selected and presented as a part of Powerstories: Voices of Women Theatre Festival.

I had the pleasure of seeing this performed by a talented cast at the Powerstories Theatre's third annual virtual global view-on-demand Voices of Women Theatre Festival! I adore history coming to life through theatre. Showing all sides of the story, including those without the power, LISA DELLAGIARINO FERIEND handles the material with grace, beauty, and truth. Lovely.

Dellagiarino Feriend blends history and herstory, patriarchy and matriarchy, slavery and independence together in a finely woven, beautifully layered and paced play which deserves a very long run indeed. Brava, playwright.

This play is simply brilliant. Focused on the short adult life of Martha Jefferson, She Tunes the Violin is heartbreaking, frustrating, and at times very funny as Fereind shines a spotlight on how Martha’s life and the lives of the Jefferson “servants” are subject to the white male patriarchy of colonial America. The scene where John Adams is reading from the Declaration of Independence is jaw-dropping. Read it and you’ll see what I mean. This play truly deserves to be produced, often!

Full disclosure: I am writing this recommendation with tears still in my eyes! It can be hard to write a "historical play" that is truly about people rather than events, but Lisa (as always) has absolutely nailed it. This tightly constructed piece uses absolutely every moment of negative space to tell the emotional story of the life of Martha Jefferson. I commend Lisa for allowing this piece to be complicated. There is a lot of pain in this story, but also a lot of beauty - it's such a well-balanced account. It's also full of incredible, strong roles for women!

A play that speeds through the years, taking the audience on a journey through a monumental time, from a perspective that's seldom given its full consideration, important though it is. The short scenes and quick but meaningful jumps from one moment to the next give the sense of a vast span of time, so it's not until the end that we fully see just how short a life we're really seeing. The injustice and shame that are intrinsic to American history are not hidden from us, but rather made compellingly human through the dialogue.