Woman details abortion choice in intimate Calgary theatre performance
Posted Mar 13, 2025 8:01 am.
Sonia Deleo was in the midst of a separation when she found herself unexpectedly with child. Deleo was already a mother, and at the time her young children were three and six years old.
“Two Moons: A Folk Lullaby” is a one-person show presented by Calgary’s Handsome Alice Theatre that runs from March 14-22. The show has come together after a three year journey of writing, workshopping, and rehearsing.
The play tells the story of how she came to her decision to terminate her pregnancy, why she made that choice, and the emotional implications before, during and after, including the years of grief she has experienced since it all happened.
Deleo said part of that is considering her background as a Roman Catholic and struggling with her identity as a mother.
“The grief for me has stuck around for years,” she said.
Deleo says sharing her true story is a cathartic experience and she’s also inspired by how the piece speaks to others. While the topic is not widely discussed, she finds more people than expected directly relate to her journey and open up.
“It is such a solitary experience still, even though it is happening every day… who you are in it, it is easy to feel entirely alone, and that is so unfortunate.”
She said telling her own story is a way to create connection.
“No part of me is to preach or try and change minds, I just hope that people see there is just one human being at the centre of these stories.”
The performance on March 15 will include a post show discussion with representatives from the Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre and Centre for Sexuality, as well as OBGYN Dr. Nicole Thompson.
A preview of the show can be found here.
