Butterfly Effect Theatre of Colorado (BETC)

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Ripcord: “A barrel of laughs and then some”

September 22, 2016

Billie McBride and Anne Oberbroeckling in Ripcord
Billie McBride and Anne Oberbroeckling in BETC’s Ripcord (photo: Michael Ensminger)

By Bob Bows, Colorado Drama (Read the original.)

Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company’s regional premiere—the first production outside of its world premiere in New York—of David Lindsay-Abaire’s Ripcord is a barrel of laughs and then some. Imagine the mayhem that ensues when two older, polar opposite women, are forced to live together in an assisted living facility. No, it’s not The Odd Couple pairing of an OCD fanatic and a slob, it’s about one woman who won’t anger, Marilyn (Anne Oberbroeckling), and the other, Abby (Billie McBride), who won’t scare, both due to difficult personal histories in their family.

Oberbroeckling and McBride play off of each other so well, you’d think they’ve done this before. In fact, they recently finished a run in which they played opposite types (in The Last Romance). If you didn’t know that, you might think that this is a glimpse of their future. Seriously though, these guys push each other to the brink, where anything could happen next, and it does.

Of course, we have the brilliance of Lindsay-Abaire for the hilarious and unpredictable plot. Abby wants Marilyn to find another room and Marilyn wants to switch beds, for a better view out the window. It’s a stalemate, so they make a bet, without telling their kind attendant, Scotty (Michael Bouchard), who becomes exasperated at the brinksmanship. Bouchard is such a pleasant straight man to the elder comediennes that we never see the zinger coming that he plants at the conclusion.

And then, there are the “kids,” Marilyn’s Colleen (Lindsey Pierce) and Derek (Kevin Lowry), who amplify the zanniness, and Abby’s Lewis (Josh Hartwell), who provides a strong dose of reality.

In the pivotal scene at the end, Lindsay-Abaire and the fine cast, directed by Rebecca Remaly, have us guessing whether this is a comedy or a tragedy. Tina Anderson and Ron Mueller’s flexible set, with Brian Shea’s crisp and telling projections, take us the most unlikely places!

Boulder troupe’s slate of shows ranges from Homer to Sedaris
BETC’s new season kicks off with laughs

Current Season Sponsors

  • SCFD
  • The Schubert Foundation Inc.
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  • Noel and Terry Hefty
  • Peak Asset Management
  • Cheri Belz, Architect & Realtor
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  • Hazel's Beverage World
  • CU Boulder Office for Outreach and Engagement
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Recent Press Articles

  • BETC Kicks Off 2022-2023 Season With Eco-Thriller “The Children”
  • Industry Discount Email Sign-up
  • BETC partners with tiny home builders to bring free theatre to Colorado communities
  • Parent playwright development program accepting submissions
  • Boulder Magazine Review “Fourteen Funerals”

Upcoming Events

“Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson, Apt 2B” by Kate Hamill: Feb 2-25 2023 More

“Eden Prairie, 1971” by Mat Smart: April 6-29 2023 More

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Butterfly Effect Theatre of Colorado (BETC):
Formerly Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company


Named 2019 and 2017 Best Theatre for Adults (Denver Westword)

"Now in its 13th season, BETC has, in my experience, never put on a bad show. That’s not just incredible, it’s damn near impossible." (Boulder Weekly)

"Just put the dates for the rest of this season’s BETC shows on your calendar in advance so you won’t miss any of them. Do it!!" (Boulder Magazine)

"This is an excellent cast, working together as a sincere and talented ensemble, in a marvelous production...Now go get a ticket." (Theatre Colorado)
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