HOUSTON – “Let.Her.Rip” made its world premiere in late May, but the hilarity and buzz from the irreverent play are sure to be remembered by those fortunate to see it.
Derek Livingston, who joined Stages last July, brings playwright Maggie Lou Rader’s vision to life in this story about activism and camaraderie set in London, 1888, during the Match Women’s labor movement and the “Jack the Ripper” murders.
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Though intensely incendiary times, the trio cast of Melissa Pritchett, Skyler Sinclair, and Rachel Omotoso keeps the audience engaged with fast-paced jokes and crude but forgiving dialogue.
The sudden dark turns in the better part of the first act may also catch an audience member by surprise, but provide a sober reminder of how women’s experiences—especially for those of color—were never a comedy.
“I wrote this play out of fury—sparked by the murder of Breonna Taylor and fanned by the historical erasure of poor, marginalized women whose stories feel shockingly modern," Rader explained in a press statement. “It’s a fierce, joyful celebration of women’s love, complexity, and defiant power in a world that too often demands they filter themselves.”
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“What I love about Let. Her. Rip. is that it doesn’t just depict a moment in history—it gives these women agency, voice, and boldness—while also showing their love and strength,” Livingston added. “The best history plays don’t just recount events; they use history as a starting point to tell the deeper, human stories of the people who fought to change it. That’s exactly what this play does, and it’s thrilling to bring that to life onstage.”
The play runs about two hours with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets are available until its final showing Sunday, June 22 at 2:30 p.m. Learn more or purchase tickets by going to Stages’ website.