ACT Theatre today presents the world premiere of “Mitzi’s Abortion” by Elizabeth Heffron.

“Mitzi’s Abortion” is a surprising and compassionate play about a young woman confronting one of life’s most difficult and deeply personal decisions in a system determined to make it a political one.

Facing a surprise pregnancy, Mitzi embraces motherhood and a future with her baby’s father. But when complications collide with deeply held beliefs, insurance regulations and varying reactions from those she loves, Mitzi’s world is thrown into chaos. As her family and friends try to comfort her in the face of their own discomfort, St. Thomas Aquinas and a 17th-century midwife join the fray to give Mitzi unexpected support.

With humor and honesty, this stunning new play takes a multifaceted look at an extraordinarily powerful and contemporary question.

“It is a great moment when any theater can produce a world premiere,” said ACT artistic director Kurt Beattie. “Bringing a new piece of art into the world, and particularly a new play of such quality as ‘Mitzi’s Abortion,’ is one of the most positive things a theatre like ACT, dedicated to contemporary work, can accomplish.”

Asked about the title of the play – and its potential for creating assumptions about the play – author Heffron said, “One of the reasons I use the word ‘abortion’ in the title is because I want to be able to say it out loud myself and not wait for a pipe bomb in my mailbox. It’s become a demon word that can shut down a conversation in a matter of seconds.

“This is occurring at a time when an ever-expanding variety of medical advances are requiring women to make decisions in pregnancy that seemed unfathomable just a generation ago.”

Beginning July 28, ACT artistic staff will host post-play discussions after all performances. Audience members are invited to discuss the play and the challenges of producing a new play, especially one likely to evoke strong personal reactions.

Jeff Denham: Comic and ventriloquist Jeff Denham will perform Saturday at The Moore Theatre in Seattle.

See Dunham at his absolute most outrageous and funniest yet, along with Peanut, Walter, Jose Jalapeno on a steek!, with Sweet Daddy Dee and Bubba J!

Dunham’s Comedy Central special “Arguing with Myself” premiered to 3.4 million viewers on April 8, making it the highest rated show on Comedy Central that weekend. The uncensored version of his special is now available on DVD.

Jeff Dunham performs Saturday in Seattle.