Love Me In Pieces is a dramatic play that has been hailed as one of the greatest love stories ever told in theater. Written by theatre genius, Margaret Edson, who won the Pulitzer Prize for her work, Wit, Love Me In Pieces focuses on the relationship between Vivian Bearing, a brilliant professor of English Literature and Research Fellow at an esteemed university, and Dr. Harvey Kelekian, a renowned oncologist who diagnoses Vivian with advanced ovarian cancer.
The play starts with Vivian facing a harsh reality; she has only a short time left to live. From the beginning of the play, Vivian takes control of her life and chooses not to let it be defined by her illness. However, the treatment techniques that follow—like chemotherapy, surgeries, and radiation—reduces her physical capacity, leaving her frustrated and weakened. The story takes us through Vivian’s journey as she struggles to understand her situation and come to terms with it.
Throughout the journey, Vivian shares stories and narratives from her past, ranging from childhood memories to academic achievements, making the audience see Vivian beyond her illness. Amongst all this, Dr. Kelekian enters the scene to provide perspective on Vivian’s condition with his quick wits and sharp reasoning. Although Dr. Kelekian plays an important role in the story, he tries to fight the facts of his patient’s terminal condition eventually showing his own vulnerability.
The play’s title brings out the theme of fragmentation. Vivian’s body is becoming weaker by the day, but her mind remains strong. She recognizes the irony of her situation—she has spent her entire life studying literature, breaking them down piece by piece, and organizing them into digestible information, yet now, she herself is being broken down piece by piece.
As much as Love Me In Pieces portrays the melancholy of illness and fragile mortality, it also displays the power of love and compassion. The play shows that in the most extreme situations, love can flourish and transcend even beyond strife. The production of this powerful play has brought the story to life and revealed its messages and lessons to audiences. It is a testament to theatre’s ability to inform, educate, entertain, and inspire people.
In conclusion, Love Me In Pieces has received critical acclaim for a reason. Its complexities, emotion, and storytelling are unmatched. It offers great insight into the human condition and enlightenment on themes such as mortality, academic power dynamics, and how the narrative we tell ourselves can affect how we feel about an experience. Theatre remains the perfect medium to bring these stories to life.