Ashley Neal in Cal in Camo. Photo courtesy of Rivendell Theatre

Rivendell’s Cal in Camo paints a riveting portrait of the ravages of post-partum depression—something the CDC says affects some 900,000 women. While much of pop culture paints new motherhood as a glowingly maternal state of bliss, playwright William Francis Hoffman gives voice to the very different reality many woman endure. Hallie Gordon directs a cast that features blistering performances by Ashley Neal and Keith Kupferer as, respectively, as a new mother and her newly widowed brother, both struggling to survive. Cal in Camo runs through Feb. 17 at the Rivendell Theatre, 5779 N. Ridge Ave.; visit RivendellTheatre.org