Feeling anxious? Laguna Playhouse has a cure. Beside Myself arrives on stage
By MARRIE STONE
Given the wonky state of the world, if you aren’t feeling a little beside yourself, you probably aren’t paying attention. World wonkiness aside, according to a recent Johns Hopkins study, one in 10 American adults experienced a mental health crisis this past year. Nearly 25% of adults in the U.S. experience some type of mental illness. Depression leads the list of disorders, with anxiety a close second.
Playwright Paul Slade Smith and his wife, actress Erin Noel Grennan, used our anxiety epidemic as inspiration for their latest work. Beside Myself hits the Laguna Playhouse stage this week, proving – once again – laughter is often the best medicine. Especially for stress.
Part sci-fi, part comedy, the serious issue of mental health lies at the heart of this production. But be prepared to laugh.
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Photos by Aaron Rumley
(L-R) Christopher M. Williams, Alanna J. Smith, Erin Noel Grennan, Tom Daugherty, Jacquelyn Ritz and Matthew Henerson star in the Laguna Playhouse production of “Beside Myself,” directed by David Ellenstein and now playing at the Laguna Playhouse
“The world is a little nuts these days. People are more stressed out and worried than ever,” said Grennan, who plays the lead as Gemma. “We wanted to shine some light on stress, anxiety and mental health, but didn’t want the play to be dark and morose. We wanted it to have some hope and lightness.”
Gemma works as a therapist and, like many in her field, suffers alongside her clients. As an empath, she finds herself taking her patients’ problems home with her and growing increasingly anxious. Alas, visits to her own therapist don’t help.
As her situation grows worse, Gemma learns of a revolutionary new procedure that can instantly relieve her condition. But things go…awry. The result is a witty, surreal comedy with plenty of humor but also some profound truths.
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(L-R) Jacquelyn Ritz plays the role of Dr. Thatcher and Erin Noel Grennan stars as Gemma
“We never want to make fun of mental health issues. But we live in a world of quick fixes and pills, as opposed to accepting the parts of ourselves that make us who we are,” Grennan said. “[Our society] views mental health as something that’s your fault rather than trying to find coping mechanisms or live healthier lifestyles.” That’s where the play aims its humor.
Grennan admits to her own battles with depression and brings those experiences into her role.
“I’m a huge advocate for normalizing the conversation about mental health,” Grennan said. “I’ve had depression for 25 years. I’ve been to therapy and used medication, and it has benefited me greatly. But I know a lot of people who have dealt with mental health issues very privately because they have a shame about it. There’s still this weird stigma in 2025. I’ve always wanted to address that interplay.”
Grennan is quick to add: “But it’s funny!”
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Erin Noel Grennan as Gemma and Tom Daugherty as Colin
“Every time we described the play to Director David Ellenstein, who commissioned me to write it, David said, ‘Yeah, but then add funny,’” Smith said. “You can deal with a serious subject and still laugh about it. I know it doesn’t sound like a comedy but, in my mind, it’s comedy. It’s a skewed series of unexpected events. That’s how I view everything.”
Playhouse regulars will recognize both Smith and Grennan, particularly from The Angel Next Door (also written by Smith), which played two years ago. Grennan played Olga, an Eastern European maid whose deadpan delivery of judgmental one-liners and cutting comments about “theater people” stole the show whenever she took the stage.
“I’m very lucky I’ve gotten to premiere all of Paul’s new works, but I’ve never played a lead in one of his plays before,” Grennan said. “I always want to play the supporting character because, first of all, they tend to have a lot of fun. Second, I have more focus and attention I can give to [supporting the play as a whole] if I’m not on stage all the time. This is the first time Paul insisted I play the lead because it’s a subject that’s important to me. It’s been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, from both a technical and emotional point of view.”
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(L-R) Christopher M. Williams, Alanna J. Smith, Erin Noel Grennan, Tom Daugherty and Matthew Henerson bring skill and camaraderie to their roles in Paul Slade Smith’s latest play
Playing two versions of herself at the same time is no easy feat (think Severance). Those early rehearsals revealed the challenge of a dual lead role. “I would say this long speech and then everything went quiet on stage. I realized, ‘Oh, it’s still me. Just the other version of me.’ Keeping track of it and not getting lost in which version of me is talking was the biggest challenge in the beginning,” Grennan said.
The other five actors play multiple roles requiring quick costume and character changes making for a fast-action production.
Speaking of costumes, props and set design, prepare for some silly and surreal reimaginings. The stage is populated with doors. A lot of doors. Do they symbolize the different rooms of our mind? “That’s a fair interpretation,” Smith said. But beyond all those doors, the costumes and props are fun.
Smith said, “The costumes are very inventive. Alina Bokovikova created very real and contemporary costumes for each character that make you smile. She’s come up with so many different looks for everybody.
“David encouraged our props designer [Michael Wogulis] to reimagine conventional props. Dr. Thatcher is not a normal doctor, so we don’t need a traditional hospital gurney. It could be a nice chaise lounge. She doesn’t have to wear surgical gloves. She could wear opera gloves. It creates a fun environment where things are a little sci-fi and a little not now.”
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Costume designer Alina Bokovikova, Scenic Designer Marty Burnett and Prop Designer Michael Wogulis bring whimsy and humor to their magical sci-fi set
“What we hope, more than anything, is that people find the character relatable, the ideas relatable and come away with a sense of hope,” Grennan said. “There isn’t a quick fix for things like this. It’s a lifelong process. It’s about finding ways to cope and looking to each other. We need people in our lives and it’s important to ask for help. It’s not a weakness to have issues. Actually, it can be a strength.”
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“Beside Myself” plays through November 16 on the Laguna Playhouse stage
Beside Myself runs through Sunday, Nov. 16 at the Laguna Playhouse, located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Visit the Playhouse website here for showtimes and prices. There will be a post-show talkback following the Friday, Nov. 7 performance.
Tickets range from $56-$121 and can be purchased online or by calling 949. 497.ARTS (2787). Prices are subject to change.
