She Did All That-Betty Ford: Speaking Out, Saving Lives, Birch Tree Productions, Boston Playwrights' Theatre, through July 8. bostonplaywrightstheatre.org or 866-811-4111

If any First Lady besides Eleanor Roosevelt deserves a stage tribute for her singular range as an activist, it is Betty Ford. An outspoken advocate for attention to breast cancer and treatment of alcohol and drug abuse, she also pushed wholeheartedly for AIDS awareness and the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

With 2018 the centenary of her birth, Lisa Rafferty's new documentary play "She Did All That-Betty Ford: Speaking Out, Saving Lives"-premiering at Boston Playwrights' Theatre-is more than an appropriate option.

Comprised from verbatim speeches and quotes during Gerald Ford's presidency (1974-1976) and the decades of activism that followed, Rafferty's earnest effort is informative if not as moving as her collaboration with Joey Frangieh on the IRNE Award-nominated 2013 Boston Marathon bombings commemorative "Finish Line"(2016 Boston Theater Company world premiere).

"Finish Line"-like "She Did All That"-is sometimes more of a history lesson than a real play. Still, some of that work's dialogue from everyday people both directly affected and reacting to the Marathon bombings does have strong emotional impact.

By contrast, "She Did All That" often sounds like a classroom narrative with valuable though generally undramatic reflections from regular letter-writing citizens, celebrity admirers of the First Lady, Ford family members and even the loving Presidential couple.

A trio of reporters-including an actual broadcast journalist (Michele Lazcano at the performance this critic saw) playing Reporter #1- seems more of an occasional interruption than an integral part of this tribute. More dramatic by far is Patrick Gabridge's IRNE Award-nominated drama "Blood on the Snow."

Set at the Boston Meeting House, Gabridge's drama catches fire theatrically as acting Governor Thomas Hutchinson faces an arresting moment of truth regarding the 1775 Boston Massacre.

Rafferty's play could achieve its own theatrical punch by focusing on the strength of Gerald and Betty Ford's long and remarkable marriage even as the First Lady's candor and courage incurred very hostile pushback that some observers saw having serious negative consequences during the President's 1976 loss to Jimmy Carter.

Narrative telling would be much more arresting if the play's valuable information were shown in scenes building to a moment of full dramatic insight. As is, "She Did All That" should serve as an important learning tool in schools if less as satisfying theater.

Even so, Rafferty-doubling as director-has found the perfect real life couple to play the Fords-namely Paula Plum and Richard Snee. Plum captures all of Betty Ford's unaffected directness, pluck and charm. She does full justice to Betty's indomitable character as she stresses the joy of being a survivor of breast cancer and deals with her own treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.

Snee has all of Gerald's love-rich support for his wife's independent spirit. There scenes together-combining deep feeling, wit and singular humor-demonstrate the kind of interaction and unique connection that ought to become the basis for a stronger play. Erin Eva Butcher brings fine energy to the brief role of Elizabeth Taylor-one of the celebrities treated at the breakthrough Betty Ford Center( Rafferty would do well to include local African-American actors as Jay-Z, Bobby Brown and Etta James-also treated there).

A strong ensemble -notably Thomas Grenon, Evelyn Holley and Gabriel Graetz-do their very good best with a variety of quick depictions of celebrities and/or family.

"She Did All That" admirably pinpoints how Betty Ford has helped America grow up with regard to cancer, AIDS, addiction and women's rights. At the same time, Rafferty's valuable history lesson may yet grow into a fully satisfying play.