Contemporary Comedy With A Dark Edge, Up Next Up For Everyman Theatre

Founding Artistic Director Vincent M. Lancisi, announced today that Everyman Theatre actors, designers, and crew are back in the rehearsal room preparing for the run of Molly Smith Metzler's 2017 play, Cry It Out. The full production will be filmed at the theatre and available virtually to stream into homes from March 1 through April 11. Lancisi will also direct the play.

Cry It Out takes an honest look at the absurdities of being home with a baby, the power of female friendship, the dilemma of going back to work, and the effect class has on parenthood in America. The play's title refers to the practice of allowing babies to cry themselves to sleep without parents running to the rescue. But, according to the playwright, it may just as well refer to new mothers who are feeling alone and desperate and could use a friendly face now and then. Cry It Out also makes a point of spotlighting women who are forced to return to work as a purely economic decision. One of the conflicts of the play is around a couple at odds over a proposed change in plans.

"It's such a thrill to be back to work rehearsing this amazing play by Molly Smith Metzler, says Founding Artistic Director Vincent Lancisi. "We were shut down just two weeks into rehearsals last March due to the pandemic, and here we are 10 months later picking up where we left off - it's both surreal and wonderful! The hilarity of a play like Cry It Out is truly needed these days, and the isolation felt by these mothers amplifies the current circumstances around COVID, so it feels very timely in that sense too. Everyone is so happy just to be making theatre again and being able to practice our craft, and we're able to do that because of a thorough and rigorous safety plan we've worked so hard to put in place to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for all."

The Everyman Theatre production, the second to be given the green-light for rehearsing and filming in its 30th Anniversary season, features Everyman Resident Company members Megan Anderson (Lina), Beth Hylton (Jessie), and Tony Nam (Mitchell), as well as DC-based actor Laura C. Harris (Adrienne). Set Design for Cry It Out is by Lawrence E. Moten, III, with Lighting Design by Sarah Tundermann, Sound Design by Kathy Ruvuna, and Costume Design by Heather C. Jackson. Gary Logan serves as Dialects Coach and Cat Wallis serves as Stage Manager.

According to playwright Metzler in a 2018 interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Whatever these women thought motherhood would be like, no matter how well they may have planned for it - we all know reality trumps best-laid plans. There's this odd conception in our culture that for a woman, you're going to poop out a baby and go back to your life, but the fact is, you are not the same person ever again. Physically, emotionally, professionally, everything changes."

Molly Smith Metzler is the author of Cry it Out, Elemeno Pea, The May Queen, Carve, Close Up Space and Training Wisteria. In television, Metzler has written for Casual (Hulu), Orange Is the New Black (Netflix), Codes of Conduct (HBO), and is currently a writer/producer on Shameless (Showtime).

Cry It Out can be streamed into homes from March 1 through April 11. For more information on this production, Everyman's 30th Anniversary season, the organization's COVID safety plan, Frequently Asked Questions about returning to live theatre, or other Education and Community classes and events, call 410.752.2208 or visit everymantheatre.org.

Cry It Out is sponsored by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Dr. E Lee and Bea Robbins, and Susan W. Flanigan. The reimagined 2020/21 season is sponsored by P. Flanigan & Sons and supported in part by The Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org), The Baltimore County Commission on the Arts and Sciences and the Citizens of Baltimore County, Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts. All videography and digital programming is supported by grants from the Sheridan Foundation, France-Merrick Foundation, and Galanthus Foundation.

Everyman Theatre is a professional Equity theatre company celebrating the actor, with a Resident Company of Artists from the Baltimore/DC area. Founded in 1990 by Vincent M. Lancisi, the theatre is dedicated to engaging the audience through a shared experience between actor and audience seeking connection and emotional truth in performance. Everyman is committed to presenting high-quality plays that are affordable and accessible to everyone. The theatre strives to engage, inspire and transform artists, audiences, and communities through theatre of the highest artistic standards and is committed to embodying the promise of its name, Everyman Theatre. Everyman Theatre is a proud member of the Bromo Tower Arts and Entertainment District, the Market Center Merchants Association and the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance. Lancisi partners with Managing Director, Marissa LaRose in leading the organization as it enters its 30th anniversary season.

Everyman Theatre stands in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities and is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive atmosphere at every level of our organization. To learn more, read the full statement of solidarity on our website at https://everymantheatre.org/everyman-theatre-stands-solidarity.

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