You Got Older proves life can fall into place when it falls apart

By Tiffany Gilbert, NDG Entertainment

Losing her job, being dumped by her boyfriend (who happens to be her boss and fires her too), and dad is dying of cancer so she returns home to help take care of him. Not exactly the life Mae planned for herself. Such as the dilemma presented to theatergoers in playwright Clare Barron’s comedy You Got Older, which is on stage at the Kitchen Dog Theater (KDT) until March 10.

To add fuel to the fire, Mae (Jenny Ledel) has an imaginary cowboy lover (Max Hartman) that will not leave her alone. Her life is falling apart but it is a wild ride the audience will thoroughly enjoy taking.  

The cast also features Ryan Woods (Mac), Brandy McClendon Kae (Hannah), Ruben Carrazana (Matthew) and Haley Nelson (Jenny). KDT Co-Artistic Director Tina Parker directs this hilarious and heartbreaking play from recent Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Clare Barron.

The story is based on Barron’s own experience – yes her boyfriend/boss kicked her to the curb and turned her life upside down in five minutes. Her father was diagnosed with cancer, in fact, she wrote much of the story while waiting with him in the hospital and at doctor appointments. Oh and the cowboy, that comes from her love of trashy romance novels. Throw in a misguided one-night stand and away we go. 

The story shows how life can fall apart, just before falling right into place. You will experience a wide range of emotions from knee-slapping laughs to struggling to keep your eyes dry. Given the serious topics and the rather adult-only relationship with her fantasy lover, this is not a play to bring the kiddos to.

You Got Older is at Trinity River Arts Center, located at 2600 N. Stemmons Fwy, Ste#180 in Dallas. Performances are Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., with additional performances on Sundays at 2 p.m. Details and tickets are available at kitchendogtheater.org.