A new production of Molly Smith Metzler’s play Cry It Out is coming this August to the Dairy Arts Center brought to you by Boulder’s very own Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company. A play that focuses on motherhood, the power of community and openly admits that no it isn’t all perfect, will captivate audiences of all backgrounds and interests. Cry It Out pushes the envelope of what it means to be a mother, a friend, and a woman, illustrating that motherhood is not one size fits all. The main characters, Jessie and Lina, explore and discuss their new normals in Jessie’s backyard (a distance within reach of both mom’s respective baby monitors). This all sets the stage for a dynamic and thought provoking performance.
The director of BETC’s Cry It Out, Candace Orrino, first read Metzler’s play back in 2018. “I was struck by how deftly the playwright, Molly Smith Metzler, was able to weave both humor and pathos into one play, and the impact of reading it has stuck with me all this time,” Candace elaborates. Candace’s long-time love for the play inspired her to suggest it for the company’s staged readings. BETC’s Producing Artistic Director, Jessica Robblee, agreed that the addition of Cry It Out to the upcoming season would benefit the repertory as a whole. Looking back, Jessica remarks on the positive reviews the play received during its initial staged reading: “They [audience members] told us it brought back memories of when they were brand-new parents, some told us how much they enjoyed the central female friendship, the three-dimensional characters — they were invested. I always want our audiences to experience that, so into Season 20 it went!”
While this play narrows in on parenthood and femininity, in a broader sense, it speaks to so much more: humanity, connection, humor, and the art of trying. Noelia Antweiler who will be portraying Jessie in the play, expands on this: “It doesn’t matter if you’re someone who is a parent or becoming a parent. If you’re one of those people, of course this story will resonate. But if you’re someone who hasn’t experienced those things, it will resonate with you on a human level: the people in this play are navigating tough human things, and I think those things will hit nerves and connection points with everyone.” Marco Alberto Robinson, who will play the character Mitchell, argues that themes in Cry It Out help to transcend typical definitions of what it means to be a parent. “I look forward to making space for different sides of the parenthood experience and exploring themes we don’t see with postpartum life portrayed in popular culture,” acknowledges Marco.
Cry It Out explores social issues beyond just parenthood. “I've watched a lot of friends and family members become parents over the past several years,” explains Candace. “And while that journey is unique for each of them, as they determine their values and goals as parents, one thing that is consistent among them all is the monumental socioeconomic challenges parenthood poses. How do you weigh a philosophy of parenting against the reality of your financial situation? This challenge feels like it just keeps escalating every year as household incomes struggle to keep up with the ever-increasing cost of living. I think this play will really make parents feel seen and validated. It'll give people a lot to talk about.”
BETC’s 20th season is not shying away from showcasing important topics all the while embracing the enticing dramatics that accompany any good night at the theater. In describing the plays this season, Jessica remarks how “they look at different times of life, dive into crossroads moments, and years-long journeys… sometimes they’re about wild rides we talk about to our friends, some of them tell stories we live but rarely mention to anyone.”
Check showtimes and purhase tickets at BETC.org