On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the final performance of "The Shot" took place at Kenan Theater, presented by the PlayMakers Repertory Company. The production stars Sharon Lawrence, an Emmy-nominated actress and Broadway veteran who is also a UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media graduate and former PlayMakers performer. The play was directed by Michelle Joyner and written by Robin Gerber.
"The Shot" is a work of fiction drawn from the life of Katharine Graham, the former publisher of the Washington Post. The story, however, imagines the time preceding this era, in which Graham was a mother and housewife in an abusive household with her husband Phil Graham. It aims to focus on abuse and empower women who are abused.
This production takes form as a one-woman show with Lawrence depicting the feeling of falling for someone, only for them to become increasingly demeaning, dismissive and abusive. Lawrence explained that she found inspiration for the character by reflecting on the loneliness and isolation that come with the shame of abuse — feeling as though it is your fault, contemplating leaving but not knowing how to take that step.
Lawrence at times even switches characters, acting as Phil, taking on his voice and mannerisms, bringing life to the abuser in a bone-chilling way. The delivery of this performance is amazing, and the writing is just as good, with some monologues subtly pointing to modern-day problems of accountability within the highest class of decision-makers.
As Lawrence spoke to a Hussman School professor Jules Dixon-Green in the post-show chat, it came to light how much she really exemplifies the empowerment of women. As her career grew, Lawrence became aware of the lack of women in leadership roles within the entertainment and media industries.
“I was much more aware of how few women leaders in the media space and entertainment really had a chance to create the complexity that we all know exists in women’s life,” she said.
Through the organization Women in Film, Lawrence met Gerber, who is also a best-selling author, historian and former labor union attorney in Washington D.C. "The Shot" is Gerber’s first play. Lawrence has developed a philosophy of saying "yes" to women, which is what happened when Gerber approached her about reading the script. Gerber has consistently worked to bring women’s stories to the forefront, highlighting the secret, messy and frightening threads that define who women are.
Carol and Alexander Lawrence, longtime visitors to PlayMakers, lived in D.C. during Katharine Graham's leadership at the Washington Post. Carol recalled Graham as a "tough as nails" figure in Washington, able to go toe-to-toe with some of the most powerful individuals in the city. Yet, despite living through this era of the Washington Post, the Lawrences were unaware of the lesser-known aspects of Graham's life, which are portrayed in "The Shot."
"Even though in the end we think she [Graham] won, it was one hard journey," Carol Lawrence said. "I don’t want to point to one scene because I think the strength of the production was to tell the whole story."
