Perfect Duluth Day: Live Birth

The Duluth production of Karen Brody's play Birth, directed by Emily Parr, is this weekend at the new Harbor City International School theater. Hailed as "the Vagina Monologues of birth," the documentary-style play illuminates the rocky state of maternity care through the stories of eight real women.

Brody wrote the play and launched the BOLD (Birth on Labor Day) movement to raise awareness and improve childbirth choices. Birth is performed in more than 100 cities during the month of September.

Duluth's BOLD campaign also includes a Red Tent Event (a public gathering of women sharing their birth stories) and tonight's invitation-only performance of the play for the medical community. A talkback session follows each performance.

Proceeds from the Duluth production will benefit local non-profit organization Birthing Ways - Doula Connection. Performances are this Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at http://boldduluth2008.eventbrite.com and more information can be found at www.birthingways.org.