A visit to the past in Beyond Therapy

For Las Cruces actor Britney Stout, it’s a different part in the same play on two different Las Cruces stages 25 years apart.

Stout played Prudence in Black Box Theatre’s production of “Beyond Therapy,” written by Christopher Durang, in February 2001. (She played the same part again later that year at Cattleman’s Dinner Theatre in Las Cruces.) This October, she is playing Charlotte in Las Cruces Community Theatre’s production of “Beyond Therapy.”

Stout said she was motivated to audition for the LCCT production “by my love for the memories surrounding the play.” She remains close friends with many of the cast and crew from the 2001 production, and is drawing inspiration for her performance as Charlotte, one of the two psychiatrists in the play, from Margie Booth, the Las Cruces actor who played Charlotte in 2001.

“Margie will always be a big part of that role,” Stout said. “She’s just fun to play.”

“I remember everything about that production,” said Bradd Howard, who directed the 2001 shows and is now an actor and performer in Albuquerque. “It was one of my favorite theater experiences ever. I remember Britney’s portrayal as Prudence to be so grounded in sincerity that the ridiculous things coming out of her mouth were even funnier to me. That is the only way to play Durang. You have to fully believe the ridiculous world that you are building.”

Playing Prudence in the 2025 production is Kate Conrad, 19, the youngest cast member. A student at New Mexico State University, this is her first production for LCCT.

“It’s a big part, and handling that many lines is kind of scary,” Conrad said. “Everyone is so supportive.”

“This has been such an easy process because of all these wonderful people,” said Wil Kilroy, who is directing “Beyond Therapy” for LCCT. “Every cast member ‘won’ their role by presenting excellent work at the auditions, and they have continued to grow into their parts, allowing me to laugh at every rehearsal. I’m excited for the audience to come and enjoy the humor.”

“It’s such a collaborative group,” said stage manager Diego Lara.

Actor David Martin (Bob) is getting to play a role “where I get to be the problem and change the temperature” of the story for the first time. “I’m very excited to play it,” he said.

Aaron Setliff is commuting from El Paso to play the part of Stuart, who “swears like a sailor and objectifies Prudence,” which Setliff said has been an interesting role reversal for him because in real life he is an ardent feminist.  

Christian Nieves, who plays Bruce, is fresh off his performance in LCCT’s smash-hit production of “Cabaret.” Bruce is his first comedic role, and Nieves said he is interested to see how audiences react to the dated references in the play, which opened on Broadway in 1982.

Jason Rodriguez plays Andrew, the waiter, as he returns to the stage for the first time in a decade.

The cast also includes Nichole Jones, Robert Quigley and Tim Neuenschwander as restaurant staff/understudies.

Costumes were designed by Heather Striebel, Ph.D.

In the play, “Bruce’s wacky female therapist (Charlotte) wants him to meet women by placing a personal ad. She does not fully comprehend that Bruce has a male lover,” according to Concord Theatricals, which holds the rights to the play. “Bruce doesn’t know how to handle poor, nervous Prudence,” whose therapist is Stuart.

Durang described his play as a “lighthearted comedy of manners and psychologists.”

“Beyond Therapy” opens Oct. 3 at LCCT, 313 N. Main St. downtown. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18 and 2 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 5, 12 and 19. Tickets are $12-$20.

For tickets, visit lcctnm.org and call 575-523-1200.