Joseph Campbell described midlife as the time when we get to the top of the ladder — only to discover it’s leaning against the wrong wall.
Laine visits Shelley and they rediscover their friendship and the trust they took for granted. In college, grad school, career building, motherhood people told them “These are the best years of your life.” Now as they tally up the successes, the disappointments, the uncertainty and the cold hard facts, they realize they can’t hide and don’t want to anymore—The Only Way Out is Through. This is a thoughtful and upbeat coming-of-age musical—coming of “a certain age” that is.
The Only Way Out is Through, book, songs and lyrics by Miriam Feder, saw its initial production in January 2010 as part of the Fertile Ground Festival of New Works in Portland, with the help of a small production budget from the Celebration Foundation. This is a timely show that drew an excellent, appreciative audience. The Only Way Out is Through has easy appeal for those of us in midlife—male and female. It’s about serious subjects and issues—not just old jokes about hormonal disturbances. It’s tinged with laughter, food-for-thought and memorable melodies. Take a tour with this HIGHLIGHTS Video
Go to miriamvideo for individual songs.
Are you interested in mounting a production of The Only Way Out is Through? production at your theatre? The Script along with score and recorded tracks are available. Want to see a play synopsis or a character breakdown? Go to miriamvideo for individual songs.
A Musical in six scenes, two actresses and a huge potential audience. Produce this show at your theatre!
The Only Way Out is Through lasts around 80 minutes and features two actresses: one who plays Shelley and another who plays both Dr. Dopfelganger and Laine. Shelley is between 45 and 55. She’s a practicing attorney in a corporate position. She’s in couple’s therapy with her husband, Tom. They lead a decreasingly comfortable, unconnected [...]