Not everyone takes the time to look back to face the meaning of their life. And fewer still are willing to share their reckoning with a painful moment of truth from their history, one that’s set the stage for a life’s work. For Amy Oppenheimer, the monologist of Looking for Justice (in all the wrong places), the core of this impulse is her search for redemption. Hers is a heartbreaking, intimate, and memorable story. I recommend it.
Looking for Justice spans her late ’60s college years, setting out for “Bezerkley” (Berkley, California) from New York with a best friend, and crush turned boyfriend by the time they arrive, feminism circa the ’70s, uncertainty about latent lesbian identity, and the drama and trauma over sexual harassment and sexual violence. But the essence of the show centers
on a pivotal decision that stuck with her through a career as a lawyer and judge. It’s one that will stick with you too.
The big reveal is shocking. You have to appreciate the significance of earlier events, such as Take Back the Night Marches, to fully grasp the momentousness of Oppenheimer’s deed. And if you participated in activist activities, Oppenheimer’s choice will land with greater resonance. If they are merely historical artifacts, then you might not become unglued, as I did upon learning what happened. However, make no mistake: Oppenheimer’s life-altering action is a stab to the listener’s heart regardless of personal experience.
Without giving anything away, the heart hurt the most was clearly Oppenheimer’s. As we watch her contemplate justice and forgiveness, a fundamental truth of Looking for Justice emerges: in the end, the stories we tell ourselves about what we did or didn’t do may matter more than what did or didn’t happen.
Running Time: 75 minutes
Genre: Solo/Drama
Dates and Times:
- July 14 at 5:40 PM
Venue: Bliss, 1122 Connecticut Avenue NW
Tickets: $15
More Info and Tickets: Looking for Justice (in all the wrong places)
The complete 2024 Capital Fringe Festival schedule is online here.