Comedy shares travails of home pregnancy test inventor in Williamston Theatre's season finale

Act I: Williamston Theatre unveils little-known history

Like many other women whose inventions changed the world, Margaret M. Crane almost didn’t get credit for her work. She certainly didn’t get paid for it.

Even now, few people know her name.

Those who go see Williamston Theatre’s summer show, “Predictor,” will walk away unlikely to ever forget her. The show opens July 5 and runs through Aug. 4.

Crane invented the home pregnancy test, despite not being a scientist and getting pushback from those who thought they’d lose business from the doctors who did the tests. Fittingly, Crane developed the prototype of a home pregnancy test in her own home — using a paper clip holder, a test tube, a mirror and a dropper.

Her employer, the pharmaceutical company Organon, tested it in Canada and it took another 10 years before the FDA approved it in the U.S. Even though Crane had applied for (and received) a patent, Organon forced her to sign away her rights and she was never paid anything for it.

She did, though, get a life partner out of it.

Playwright Jennifer Blackmer saw all the dramatic possibilities in this story and created “Predictor,” a seven-person show that is both comical and infuriating. Blackmer tells Crane’s real-life story, but does so by moving through the past, present and future and revealing all the absurdity and sexism Crane faced.

The show is the final offering in Williamston’s 2023-2024 season. Taking the helm as director is Billicia Charnelle Hines, a Wayne State University professor and performing arts researcher. While this is her debut at Williamston, she has lengthy directing credits from around the state and performs one-woman shows on social justice issues. She is the co-artistic director of the Black Theatre and Dance Collective.

She’s directing an ensemble of which half are new to Williamston and half are veterans. They include Caitlin Cavannaugh, Kamara Miller Drane, Mona Eldahshoury, Tobin Hissong, James Kuhl, Chris Purchis and Ryan Patrick Welsh.

Act II: Music fills the air in city parks

It wouldn’t be summer without outdoor music in the park. Throughout Greater Lansing, outdoor concert series are already underway. However, with two more months to go, there are still plenty of opportunities to pack a picnic and take the family to the park for an evening of music.

Some of your options include:

Lansing’s Concerts in the Park

This series moves all around the city, taking place at different parks at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

July 10: Frog and the Beeftones – Fulton Park, 4300 Sheffield Drive, LansingJuly 17: Sea Cruisers – Turner Dodge House, 106 E. North St., LansingJuly 24: Kathy Ford Band – Durant Park, 719 N. Washington Ave., LansingJuly 31: Global Village – Riverfront Park Salt Shed, 300 N. Grand Ave., LansingAug. 7: Tejano Sound – Frances Park, 2701 Moores River Drive, Lansing

Delta Township’s Music in the Park

Taking place in Sharp Park off of Elmwood Drive, concerts are at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. The last remaining concert in the series features Global Village on July 16.

Haslett’s Friday Night Concert Series

These concerts are held at Lake Lansing Park South at 7 p.m. on Fridays.

July 5: Lansing Concert BandJuly 12: Glen Erin Pipe BandJuly 19: Roadside AttractionJuly 26: Stone Street RevivalAug. 2: Mixed FlavorsAug. 9: Shakedown, a Bob Seger tributeAug. 16: Black Barn Band

Aug. 23: Global VillageAug. 30: Showdown

Okemos’ Summer Concert Series

One of the longest series in the area, it started on June 5 and will continue through the end of September, with concerts at 6 p.m. every Wednesday at the Marketplace on the Green on Central Park Drive.

July 10: Street AngelsJuly 17: OxymoronsJuly 24: Mama Tryd BandJuly 31: Slick JimmyAug. 7: Garage Sale BandAug. 14: Global VillageAug. 21: Frog & BeeftonesAug. 28: Don MiddlebrookSept. 4: Steve SpeesSept. 11: Joe WrightSept. 18: Life SupportSept. 25:  Justin Holcomb

Grand Ledge’s Music in the Park

These concerts take place at the Jaycee Park at 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

July 11: Mixed FlavorsJuly 18: The Insiders, a tribute to Tom PettyJuly 25: Sea CruisersAug. 1: Cooper JohnsonAug. 8: Global VillageAug. 15: Starfarm

Dewitt’s Concert in the Park

Launching in July, the concerts are held at Riverside Park at 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

July 11: Life SupportJuly 18: Frog and the Beeftones BandJuly 25: The Ron St. Germain BandAug. 1: Sea CruisersAug. 8: Kathy Ford Band

Williamston’s Concert at the Shell

This series started in May with a concert by local high school and middle school jazz bands. They’re continuing the series at 7 p.m. on Thursdays at the American Legion Bandshell in McCormick Park.

July 4: Meridian Community BandJuly 11: Black Barn BandJuly 18: Vesela Kapela Polka BandJuly 25: Local Talent Show ReviewAug. 1: Lansing Concert Big BandAug. 8: OxymoronsAug. 15: Tony Thompson & Friends

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Comedy shares travails of home pregnancy test inventor in Williamston Theatre's season finale