'Teach Me How to Cry' is intelligent and intricate

Teen romance is often portrayed as an illogical, hormone-filled romp through adolescence. However, Archmere Academy's production of Teach Me How to Cry depicted all of its characters, teenage and adult alike, as three-dimensional human beings with complex, meaningful relationships woven into a thought-provoking plot.

Written by playwright Patricia Joundry in 1955, Teach Me How to Cry played Off-Broadway decades later in 1982, and was the basis for the 1958 film The Restless Years.

Based on the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, the play explores the romance between shy Melinda Grant and artistic Will Henderson, despite their parents' direction to avoid one another. Melinda's mother is obsessed with happiness, and refuses to acknowledge anything unpleasant. Rumors fly about town that Mrs. Grant met a man at the bandstand and the two had an illegitimate child; Mrs. Grant was shunned by society and burned the bandstand down. Will's father, a traveling salesman, moved his family around seventeen times in seventeen years, while his wife yearned for a real home. Set in any town, USA, in the early twentieth century, Joundry's work explores the social hypocrisy of American communities.

The cast of this intelligent and intricate production shined especially bright thanks to Keelin Reilly's brilliant performance as Will Henderson. Reilly knew to both expertly deliver lines and to portray the subtleties of the character. He understood the balance between the comedic and dramatic, and exceptionally characterized his role. The show's heroine and Will's love interest Melinda Grant (Giavanna Mariano) acted with skill and committed to the role fully as well.

As Melinda's mentally ill mother, Anna South was believable and well-prepared to take over the challenging role. South found the meaning behind Mrs. Grant's lines and gave a look into the innermost feelings of the unstable matriarch. Jackie Kraft as Ms. Robson exuded confidence in the role of Melinda's helpful teacher.

This production creatively interspersed related snippets from Romeo and Juliet between scenes, as the play is a more modern retelling of the story and features it in the show. Catherine Lawless as Nurse was comedic and amusing.

Claire Caverly and Emily Simons did a wonderful job with the sets. Their careful attention to detail further enhanced the show. Ellie McNamara's flawless management must also be commended, as scene changes were nearly unnoticeable.

Archmere Academy's Teach Me How to Cry successfully provoked both sadness and joy. It discovered the equilibrium of tears and laughter that both the play and life contain.