RECOMMENDED

Daughters of second-wave feminists were raised to believe they could “have it all”: career, family. Now, they spend thousands on infertility treatments and surrogate mothers. So much for “having it all.”

After a painful miscarriage and a thwarted adoption, Abigail (Cat Dean) and Zachary (Cory Krebsbach) opt for surrogacy in India, a cheaper alternative. Her leftist lawyer sister Jem (Kate Black) condemns turning poor women into for-profit baby factories; their surrogate Beena (Mouzam Makkar) sees an opportunity to build a better life.

There’s some schmaltz as the parents perform a ritual on a teddy bear standing in for the infant, but by and large, M.E.H Lewis’ script presents a balanced look at an emotional subject. Dean and Krebsbach palpably convey the pain of a couple searching for their immortality. Black provides a conscience without being strident and Makkar’s hope and naiveté is heartbreaking as her character searches for a leg up. (Lisa Buscani)

At Stage Left Theatre, 3408 N. Sheffield, (773)883-8830, through April 3.