Children of the Decree

It's 1989 in Romania. Liana, a talented, headstrong gymnast, is living in a country ruled by communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. He is vehemently enforcing Decree 770 — the ban of abortion and contraception. Under these horrific circumstances, Liana gets pregnant and must decide what to do with her unwanted pregnancy: illegally abort, have it and turn her baby over to the government, or keep it, give up her dreams, and live in poverty. Liana lives with her traditional mother, Anca, and her older sister, Hanah, who is grieving over her stillborn. Mariana, Liana’s best friend and fellow gymnast, also suffers under the decree, and the baby’s father, Vali, deals with his own past. In the midst of the Romanian revolution to overthrow the dictator, Liana’s path to a decision is devastating, exhilarating, empowering, and shocking. 

Concept, Books, Lyrics: Georgeta Seserman
Music and Lyrics: Leonoor Rinke De Witt and Stephanie Carlin
Direction: Georgeta Seserman
Music Direction: Travis Frank
Orchestration: Oliver Rodhal