Montana Players to stage October run; organizer says play presents abortion issue without taking sides

Marylyn Steffenbeck, representing the Montana Players at the MCAT benefit auction in Missoula on Sept. 20, 1996, said the company plans a multiweek run in October with 13 performances of a play that addresses abortion but, in her words, “doesn't take sides.”

“It’s a great play. We chose this, because it, doesn't take sides. It's, 1 of those plays that, just kind of presents a story and doesn't fall on either side of the story,” Steffenbeck said. She described the work as “very interesting, very well written, very powerful.”

Steffenbeck also said a 70‑year‑old actress who has done national commercials and recently retired to Whitefish has agreed to perform; she did not provide the actress’s name. She gave two differing references to opening dates in the interview — once saying the play would open “October 20 fifth” and later referencing “Friday, October 25” as a start date — and said the run would continue Wednesday through Sunday for the following two weeks. The transcript contains those inconsistent date references; exact public performance dates and ticketing information were not specified in the interview.

Steffenbeck said the Players were “very excited” about the production and that it would include multiple performances over the three‑week span. No box office or ticket‑sale figures were provided during the interview.