Molly Smith Metzler’s play “Cry It Out” opened at Moxie Theatre on Friday night, exactly four weeks to the day after Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster film “Barbie” amusingly satirized the unrealistic expectations placed on women by themselves, men and society.
But where “Barbie” is a shiny plastic comedy about female empowerment and individualism, “Cry It Out” takes a more dramatic and realistic look at female identity when it comes to motherhood. In the well-written 90-minute play, three working women in Long Island’s affluent community of Manorhaven have recently given birth to their first children and are each struggling to define their new roles, priorities, careers and marriages.
That may not sound interesting to men or to women who haven’t experienced motherhood. But the play resonates deeply and universally because Metzler is such a naturalistic writer and her well-drawn characters are real, relatable and funny. Metzler, who has a 10-year-old daughter, is the award-winning story editor for the women-centered TV series “Orange is the New Black” and head writer for the mini-series “Maid.”
The characters in “Cry It Out” may be new moms, but the issues they’re grappling with reach far beyond breastfeeding and story time. It’s about relationships, family expectations, anxiety, depression and addiction and the limited choices available to working class parents.
Director Vanessa Duron delivers a tender and swift-moving production featuring an excellent cast of four on a realistic back-patio set designed by Alyssa Kane, with ocean sound effects by sound designer Roselle Angeline Castro. Carmen Amon designed costumes and the lighting was co-designed by Sierra Shreves and Colby Freel.
The story takes place on the shared back patio for the two small cottages where central characters Jessie and Lina live. Jessie is on maternity leave from her job as a corporate attorney and is married into a wealthy Long Island family. Lina is also on maternity leave from her entry-level job as a hospital worker. Three years sober, Lina is cheery, funny and outspoken, and is now living with her boyfriend and their infant son in his alcoholic mother’s house.
The two women couldn’t be more different but they bond easily over their morning coffees, in-law troubles and secret desire to be stay-at-home moms. Then one day an unknown neighbor, Mitchell, asks Jessie and Lina to invite his wife, Adrienne, to join their daily coffee visits. He fears Adrienne is battling postpartum depression and needs female companionship following the birth of their 7-week-old baby. But Adrienne — a severe, mysterious and deeply withdrawn jewelry designer — resents Jessie and Lina and rejects their advice and friendship.
Katee Drysdale is the warm heart of the play as Jessie. She fully inhabits her soft-spoken, gentle and generous character and is heartbreaking in her final scene. As Lina, Kylie Young is the fire in the play, hilariously inhabiting her character’s strong New York accent, knowing smirk, two-tone orange and platinum braids, acrylic nails and giant hoop earrings.
Leah Morgan is fierce and icy as the puzzle-box character Adrienne. And Alex Guzman is befuddled and anxious as Mitchell, who may be sincere in wanting to help his wife but initially blind to his wife’s true struggles.
“Cry It Out” doesn’t have a typical happy ending. Its characters end up in unexpected places as they navigate their own ways to happiness. That’s what makes the play feel like real life and it’s a good reason to check out this entertaining production.
‘Cry It Out’
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 10
Where: Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Suite N, San Diego
Tickets: $25-$50
Phone: (858) 598-7620
Online: moxietheatre.com