Hearing Bella Abzug’s Voice Again

One of the joys of teaching and writing about women who have made significant contributions to American life, but who have been all but forgotten, or even sadder, never even heard of, is making them come alive again.

When I teach about the history of women who have run for the United States presidency, I ask students:  “Have you never read or heard of Margaret Chase Smith or Shirley Chisholm?”  So often hands go up in the air.  We’re going to fix that, I think to myself.

That was certainly the case when we began to discuss Bella Abzug, also known as “Battling Bella.” She was an outspoken member of the United States House of Representatives and a leader of the Women’s Movement.  She was unapologetically herself, and she made an impact.  She was a vociferous opponent to the Vietnam war, and she fought for women to gain access to have credit cards in their own names.

So why did a man play her?

The first reaction I had was, “Well, its an off-Broadway, New York play, so anything goes, right?”  But my students and a good friend said, basically, “Wait–what? a man is playing an iconic feminist — it just is not right!”

And so, of course, we had to check it out for ourselves.  I had the supreme pleasure of seeing the show at The Manhattan Theatre Club with some students this week and it was terrific.  What I learned is that Harvey Fierstein not only plays Bella in the one-man/women show, he wrote it.  And, he did try to get a leading female actress to play Bella, but none was available.  Harvey Fierstein is not just some man playing Bella Abzug. He is a gifted actor and offers up such a passionate portrayal that I had a hard time picturing anyone else in the role–really.  He is fantastic (even if the jaded playgoers complained about the teleprompter)!  New Yorkers!

The highlights of the play:  it is a great biography of the irrepressible Bella Abzug.  If you walk into the show knowing some but not that much about her, you leave knowing a lot more.   And in between the biography, the show is filled with a lot of funny moments — especially Jewish humor.  The audience roared when Bella collected campaign money in a Tzedakah Box, because of course, “You can’t use a piggy bank!”  The set is minimal and doesn’t change, and yes, there is a big red hat–Bella’s trademark.  It just works.  It is a history lesson come to life.

I love it when something cultural brings to life the lessons in a textbook.

And Harvey Fierstein really brings Bella Abzug to life again.  Not only on the page but on the stage.

And isn’t that just grand?!  Go see it.  And bring someone who has never even heard of Bella Abzug with you.

You will Abzug-lutely love it!