AMERICAN DREAMING

Colorado premiere of ‘Edmonds Stories’ by Theater Company of Lafayette explores immigration at the turn of the 20th century

BY TONI TRESCA

Nora Douglass decided to get personal when she started working on her master’s thesis in playwriting at the University of Washington. Rather than writing a fictional story, she drew inspiration for her play, Edmonds Stories, from her family’s history of immigrating to the United States from Sweden in the early 1890s.

“The script is loosely based on my great-grandparents’ experience moving to Minnesota, then Seattle and finally Edmonds, Washington, sometime around 1892,” Douglass says. “My great-grandmother had five daughters, four of whom worshipped her and one of whom left town to live in Canada. Although this breach was not directly discussed, as a young child hiding behind the stove, I overheard my aunts discussing it and could tell that something major had occurred. Edmonds Stories explores mother-daughter conflicts and the difficulties faced by immigrant families.”

Douglass recently received the opportunity to revisit Edmonds Stories, which she first wrote more than 30 years ago in graduate school, thanks to her longtime friend and artistic director of the Theater Company of Lafayette (TCL), Madge Montgomery. They met as undergrads at the University of Puget Sound and, according to Douglass, were each other’s support systems while pursuing graduate degrees at the University of Washington.

Together, the duo produced the original workshop of the show at the university in 1988, which led to a mainstage production the following year. In 1990, Edmonds Stories participated in the ACTF Regional Festival at Western Washington University and was performed by the Driftwood Players in Edmonds as part of the City of Edmonds Centennial celebration.

“It is a dream come true to be working with Madge again on a play I thought had been put to bed,”

Douglass says. “Edmonds Stories was the first play I wrote in graduate school, and Madge directed that play in two different venues with two different casts. In many ways, I feel like I have returned home with this production at the Theater Company of Lafayette.”

‘A HUMAN STORY’

Edmonds Stories will make its Colorado debut on July 21 at Lafayette’s Mary Miller Theatre, running through Aug. 5. Set in Edmonds in 1900, the award-winning play examines the Medin family’s pursuit of the American dream. It also touches on the importance of honoring one’s heritage and questions how much immigrants are expected to sacrifice in order to assimilate.

“Immigration has become a hot-button topic,” says Montgomery, who is directing Edmonds Stories at TLC. “But unless you are Indigenous, you have immigrant stories in your family. Nora’s play is not overtly political; instead, it tells the story of ordinary people who happen to be immigrants adjusting to a new environment.”

Although the play contains weighty, introspective moments, the creative team says the production is full of heart. “While the subject is serious, there is a lot of humor,” Montgomery says. “It’s not a slog; there are a lot of dimensions to show the full experience of immigrants. The play manages to be both deeply human and intensely personal while also being complex and layered. Edmonds Stories had been on my list of projects to direct again for a while because I thought the story would resonate with the community and work well in our theater.”

TLC’s intimate 75-seat theater allows audience members to easily connect with the family’s struggles; however, it also presents Montgomery with some directorial challenges.

“Our theater is a little unusual; it is a small space, but this is a big play,” she says. “As a director, it has been challenging adapting a piece that was written for a large space to our theater. We use the aisles and every inch of the space; there are 10 characters in the play, so that is a lot of actors on a little stage. Ultimately, I think the intimacy of our theater is a benefit for the production; this is a lovely human story, and I think people will feel emotionally close to it because they are physically close to the actors.”

The multicultural cast of Edmonds Stories at TLC, including two performers who immigrated to the U.S. from Brazil and the Philippines, highlights the universality of the immigrant experience and how, despite our differences, our stories are ultimately similar.

“I hope the audience understands the family’s struggles and triumphs to make America their home,” Douglass says. “I would like people to think about the larger societal implications of this personal story and remember to have empathy for people who are different and struggling to find their place in this country. We live in such a divisive era, but treating immigrants as a problem is not the answer; America is, and has always been, better off because of immigrants.”

ON STAGE: ‘Edmonds

Stories’ by Theater Company of Lafayette. Various times, July 21–Aug. 5. Mary Miller Theater, 300 E. Simpson St., Lafayette. $25

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POOLSIDE SIPPERS WINE

TASTING

4-6 p.m. Thursday, July 20, Dedalus Wine Shop and Market, 1825 Pearl St., Suite B, Boulder. Free

Looking for the perfect summer wine for your next outdoor function? Whether that means unwinding by the pool or just spraying the kids down with the garden hose, you’ll want to drop by this wine tasting at Dedalus Boulder for a taste of southern France right here on the Front Range.

21

’90S NIGHT

5-10 p.m. Friday, July 21, Left Hand Brewing, 1265 Boston Ave., Longmont. $10

Nineties kids, rejoice! This themed beergarden blowout at Left Hand Brewing will feed your nostalgia for the “raddest era” with a mobile arcade, ice cream truck, live music and plenty of award-winning craft beer. So grab your flannel, your shutter shades and your best chunky sneakers for this thirst-quenching throwback in Longmont.

22

CATURDAY YOGA

8:45-9:45 a.m. Saturday, July 22, Purrfect Pause Cat Cafe, 5290 Arapahoe Ave., Unit E, Boulder. $20

Work on your cat pose during this felinefriendly yoga session at Purrfect Pause Cat Cafe. Join the establishment’s resident yogi, who will be your guide on this one-of-a-kind yoga journey alongside more than a dozen kitties who call the cafe home. The session is open to all experience levels. There’s just one important requirement: Must love cats.

21

DANCING IN THE STREET

5:30-10 p.m. Friday, July 21, Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, 1770 13th St., Boulder. Free

Head to downtown Boulder between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue for an open-air dance party. Featuring performances and immersive lessons covering everything from salsa and swing to belly-dancing, the evening wraps up with a social dance at 8:30 p.m. to the genre-scrambling cuts of DJ Romeo Wong Henderson.

21

GOLDEN HOUR HAPPY HOUR

5-7 p.m. Friday, July 21, Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway, Boulder. $15

Happy hour is always happier on a rooftop. That’s why the Museum of Boulder is inviting you to join them for their weekly Golden Hour Happy Hour event featuring libations and live DJs with a breathtaking view. This week’s festivities will feature beverage samples from Dirty Dill and music from multidisciplinary artist Soul Lorain.

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TOOL EXPERIENCED

10-11 p.m. Saturday, July 22, Fiske Planetarium, 2414 Regent Drive, Boulder. $12

You know the pieces fit, ’cause you’ll be among the diehards at TOOL Experienced — a liquid-light and laser show at Fiske Planetarium, celebrating the music of the alt-metal standard bearers. Whether you’re a longtime devotee, or you’re just looking for a trippy and head-banging night of awe-inspiring visuals, you won’t want to miss it.

OPEN AND 4-H HORSE SHOW

8 a.m. Saturday, July 22, Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont. Free

Head to the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont for a little horsing around. This year’s Open and 4-H Horse Show — benefiting the Boulder County 4-H Horse Judging Team — will feature a silent auction, trail warm-up, training tack classes, judge’s critique and more. It’s sure to be the most fun you can have on four hooves this weekend.

23

INTRO TO COFFEE AND CUPPING

9-11 a.m. Sunday, July 23, OZO Coffee Roastery Cafe & Lab, 1898 South Flatiron Court, Suite 110, Boulder. $100

Ever wonder how that morning jolt made its way to your cup? Join the bean geniuses at OZO Coffee to learn all about the process, while enjoying some eye-opening brews along the way. By the end of the morning, you’ll be able to discern how different methods influence the final product using only your nose and taste buds.

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MORNING MEDITATION

10:30-11:15 a.m. Sunday, July 23, Eldorado Mountain Yoga Ashram, 2875 County Road 67, Boulder. $15 (sliding scale)

Need a Sunday-morning slow down? Join Eldorado Ashram’s resident Swami, Rudrani Ma, for a rejuvenating A.M. meditation to “discover the Goddesses of Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism in a new light with a practitioner who has worked with this connection for years.”

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PICNIC ON THE PLAZA

Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, July 27, Festival Plaza, 311 S. Public Road, Lafayette. Free

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STUDIO AND RANCH TOUR

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, July 23, Claire McArdle Studio and Hanging Ten Ranch, 10145 North 65th St., Longmont. Free

Get up close and personal with the creative process during this guided tour of Claire McArdle Studio and Hanging Ten Ranch. You’ll learn all about how the local artist transforms raw stone into amazing sculptures, in addition to enjoying the gorgeous natural scenery.

Registration is encouraged for this artfocused day on the ranch in East County.

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SUMMER HERITAGE MORNING

10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, July 23, Walker Ranch Homestead, 7701 Flagstaff Road, Boulder. Free

Step into the past at Walker Ranch Homestead. From blacksmith demos and log-house cooking to old-fashioned games, butter-churning, a general store and more, you’ll travel back to the late 19th century during this immersive historical event that’s fun for the whole family.

Nothing says summertime like a picnic. So grab your spread and head to downtown Lafayette for a weekly community gathering on the city’s Festival Plaza, featuring a rotating lineup of local musicians to soundtrack your Thursday afternoon. The upcoming July 27 event features a performance by JiDaJi you won’t want to miss.

Want more Boulder County events? Check out the complete listings online by scanning this QR code.

FRI. 7/21 - 8:00PM

DAVE TAMKIN & CO AND ANTONIO LOPEZ W/ SPECIAL GUEST

CHRISTOPHER MORSE Starts at $15.00

SAT. 7/22 - 8:00PM

GOOD MUSIC

MEDICINE

MON. 7/24 - 6:30PM

ROOTS MUSIC

PROJECT COMMUNITY OPEN MIC W/ HOST STEVE KOPPE

TUE. 7/25 - 6.30PM

PAUL SODERMAN AND THE OGS WITH NASHVILLE’S CHRIS TAYLOR

EVERY WEDNSDAY BOULDER

BLUEGRASS JAM

THU. 7/27 - 7:00PM

PRE-PARTY BOULDER BIG HOOTENANY FOR CONSCIOUS ALLIANCE

SAT. 8/5 - 8:30PM

JEFF CROSBY

FRI. 8/11 - 8:00PM

PETER KARP BAND

SAT. 8/12 - 7:00PM

PINE TOP PERKINS BENEFIT WITH BOB MARGOLIN

TUE. 8/15 - 8:00PM

WILL EVANS (OF BAREFOOT TRUTH)

SAT. 8/19 - 9:00PM

SQUEAKY FEET

THU. 8/24 - 7:00PM

CLAY ROSE SINGER SONGWRITER

FRI. 8/25 - 8:00PM

TERESA STORCH BAND WITH MACKENZIE RAE

Purchase Tickets at RMPtix.com RootsMusicProject.org

4747 Pearl Suite V3A