Getting Out and Getting Through It

Diggit Dave Schroeder

Upcoming at PACA at the end of May is Marsha Norman's Getting Out, which is a challenging, thought-provoking play, in which the lead Arlene Holsclaw is shown in two roles at once: one version enjoying her freedom while the other is behind bars.

BEGINNING THURSDAY, JUNE 6*

Starting over is difficult, especially when faced with aspects of the past you would like to forget. This is what Arlene Holsclaw determined after her release from prison in Marsha Norman's complex drama Getting Out.

Director Betsy Butoryak praised the script's complexity, "It's one of those plays that you really have to pay attention to because every word is important. Every part is crucial. I fell in love with it as soon as I read it."

Although Butoryak has been involved with PACA both as an actress and a director since its inception, Getting Out will mark her first time solo directing: "I take a keener eye when watching performances now, so it feels like a natural transition." Teresa Testrake will serve as assistant director.

This John Glassner Award-winning play follows two versions of Holsclaw simultaneously, often appearing together on-stage: Arlene, who is freshly released and on parole as she tries to adapt to modern life, and Arlie, her troubled, criminal self who is shown behind bars and in various defining moments that led her to that point of imprisonment.

"We had some difficulty casting two actresses similar enough for the contrasting roles," Butoryak admitted. "But we have a wonderful cross-section of talent in experienced and new actors."

Such talent includes Erie theater veteran Jeff Rodland with two new actors making their stage debuts.*

Due to the heavier content matter of the production and its past portrayal of how imprisoned women were treated, Safenet will be available on site for support. Butoryak has also stated that PACA will be offering a panel following the final performance, answering questions about past conditions in women's prisons and how they have improved.

* Update: THE ORIGINAL SHOWTIMES HAVE CHANGED DUE TO ILLNESS: Beginning Thursday, June 6 through June 16 at 7:30 p.m. // $20 // For tickets and info: tickets.eriereader.com

*actor information was edited from the print version of this article to refect casting changes