It’s educational and informative.

A case (no pun intended) can be made as to why to include the play “All Things Equal — The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg” in a school district’s curriculum.

In English language arts classes it can be used to familiarize students with the playwriting process, with learning how to write dialogue, and with learning how to deal with important issues in a safe environment full of support.

In history classes students may study the time periods of when plays were written and what it impact the characters may have had on society.

In either class, a whole language approach may be used where students may connect with characters by bring their own experiences to make new ones. Some students may connect immediately while others will wait until more information is learned about the characters.

To help students digest the material in the play, an invaluable study guide has been created and is available. The study guide gives information on the actress Michelle Azar who portrays Ginsburg, the director Laley Lippard, and playwright Rupert Holmes. Classroom writing activities and discussions are also included. Writing is essential because it teaches students that writing is considered formal communication. Legal documents like mortgages, car loans, student loans, and any kind of leases are examples of formal communications.

Pre-show writing prompts:

¯ What do you know about Ruth Bader Ginsburg?

¯ What do you know about the Supreme Court and its function?

¯ Why do you think it was so important and influential for Ruth Bader Ginsburg to be on the Supreme Court?

Post-show writing prompts:

¯ What legacy has Ruth Bader Ginsburg left for women, for Supreme Court Justices, and for everyone?

¯ What part of RBG’s story did you feel the most connected to?

¯ What moved you the most?

Notice that some of these questions go beyond the text and aren’t simple “yes” or “no” questions. They also ask for interpretation and opinion. For the last two post-show prompts, there are no right or wrong answers, and the answers aren’t limited to one or two sentences.

The guide also gives a plot summary, a biography, a glossary, an explanation of the Supreme Court as well as major cases and opinions by RBG.

Joan Ruth Bader was born on March 15, 1933 in Brooklyn, N.Y. She graduated from Cornell University at the top of her class in 1954. After graduation, she married her husband Martin Ginsburg and changed her name to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. After her husband finished his military service, she enrolled at Harvard law School. She transferred to Columbia Law and graduated in 1959.

In 1993, Bill Clinton nominated her for the Supreme Court. She was the second woman and the first Jewish woman to sit on the court. As a Supreme Court Justice, she consistently supported abortion rights and struck down the partial birth abortion law. She advocated for the use of foreign law and norms to help shape United States law. It is believed that she was the first Supreme Court Justice to officiate a same-sex wedding. RBG died from complications due to pancreatic cancer on Sept. 18, 2020 at age 87. A private ceremony was held for her in the Supreme Court’s Great Hall. Her casket was then moved outside, so the public was able to pay their respects. After two days of respect at the Court, she lay in state at the Capitol, being the first Jewish person and first woman to do so. She was buried next to her husband at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

The play will be performed Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at The Reg Lenna Center for The Arts, 116 E. Third St.. For more information visit reglenna.com or call the box office at (716) 484-7070.

There is also tie-in event at Robert H. Jackson Center before the performance. “Nortorius RBG” author Irin Carmon and Jackson scholar John Q. Barrett will hold a discussion and book signing at 2:30 p.m. The discussion will focus on Ginsburg’s and Jackson’s connections to influential constitutional scholar Robert. E. Cushman.