In The Next Room, Or... The Vibrator Play
2011
In The Next Room,
Or...The Vibrator Play
By Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Robert Waterhouse
Starring Katie White, Christian Brandjes,
Richard Lambert, Kelly Meg Brennan,
Patrick Cameron, Wendy Hall and Danica Riddick
Christian Brandjes and Danica Riddick
Photo by Dan Walker
FOUR STARS
THE BUFFALO NEWS
"SUPERB! A play about vibrators you can take your mother to!"
Benjamin Siegel, The Buffalo News
MORE CRITICS SING:
"Under the direction of Robert Waterhouse, the New Phoenix Theatre
has ensured that Sarah Ruhl's introduction to Buffalo is achieved
with a first rate production."
Anthony Chase, Artvoice
"A wonderful confection of a play! Flawless [performances]!"
Neal Garvey, Buffalo Rising
Patrick Cameron, Christian Brandjes and Wendy Hall
Photo by Dan Walker
In the 1880s, a new invention is being used to treat women for “hysteria”: the electric vibrator. Dr. Givings treats patients in his home office, with his young wife speculating what is going on in the next room over. A new patient brings her husband and their relationship problems with her into the Givings’ house, leading the couple to analyze their own marriage and what it really means to love someone.
Inspired by the Victorian fad for vibrators and medicine, this provocative, intelligent, and witty play explores love, marriage, and surprises about sexuality that coincide with the dawn of electricity.
Katie White and Christian Brandjes
Photo by Dan Walker
Sarah Ruhl is an American playwright who gained widespread recognition for her plays THE CLEAN HOUSE, PASSION PLAY, and EURYDICE. Ruhl received a MacArthur Fellowship in September 2006. This award is given to people of any age and any field who have shown “exceptional merit and promise for continued and enhanced creative work.” Ruhl’s IN THE NEXT ROOM, OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY premiered in November 2009 marking her Broadway debut. IN THE NEXT ROOM went on to be nominated for the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play and was a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.