BWW Reviews: IN THE NEXT ROOM, OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY at ACT
Right off the bat let's just get out there what Sarah Ruhl's "In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play" is about. It's in the title for Pete's sake. Yes, the show is about vibrators and their use in the 1880's. Yes, THOSE kinds of devices and activities that usually are not discussed in polite society. So I'll try and be as delicate as I can for my more sensitive readers. But beyond the obvious, the show deals with a small group of people as they come to grips with ... er ... I mean ... get in touch with their ... um ... DAMN, this is harder than I ... uh ... well, they discover more about their true feelings. Yes the show is slightly naughty but in a delightful way with depth and humor and ACT's production is presented with beauty and skill.
Dr. Givings (Jeff Cummings) and his wife Catherine (Jennifer Sue Johnson) are a somewhat happily married couple with a new baby. But the new addition to the household is not the troublesome area with them but what the Doctor does for a living. He is a devoted man of science who has created a machine to alleviate the malady of hysteria in his female (and sometimes male) patients. The device is, put plainly, a vibrator and the Doctor uses it to improve circulation and release fluids in a certain area. Yes, back in the 1800's people sometimes had to go to a Doctor for that. Catherine is extremely proud and supportive of her husband's work or what she knows of it since she is always kept out of the operating theater. But when one day the ... er ... screams of ... emotion from one of his patients become too loud, Catherine's curiosity is peaked and she is determined to learn more about what her husband does in there.
But it's not just vibrator jokes, and director Kurt Beattie brings out the humor and the emotion of this touchy subject magnificently. He manages to take you from the height of hilarity as the device is implemented to the depths of despair as the characters' true natures and feelings are revealed. And he never takes these moments over the top but keeps them grounded in the reality and subtlety of the period. In fact one of my favorite moments of the evening was a simple and strikingly beautiful staging of four very disparate women all connecting listening to one piece of music.
Cummings turns in a focused and singular performance as the too clinical and cut off scientist. Johnson manages almost manic comedic timing contrasted with heartbreaking passion. Mary Kae Irvin as the Doctor's assistant Annie turns in a wonderfully understated and balanced performance. His patients are played with glee and hilarious ... er ... physicality by Connor Toms (Leo) and Deborah King (Sabrina Daldry) with Michael Patten as the husband (Mr. Daldry) trying to find a way to feel again. All of them are funny when they need to be and then flip to stirring honesty. And Tracy Michelle Hughes as the black wet nurse Elizabeth turns in a stunning performance and her monologue describing the loss of her son is nothing short of breathtaking.
With a beautifully appointed and thoughtful set by Matthew Smucker complimented by superb lights and sound by Ben Zamora and Brendan Patrick Hogan and gorgeous costumes from Catherine Hunt, this is one of the most solid and well done shows I think I've seen from ACT in a while. All the elements just meshed here very nicely.
But yes, at its core it is a show about vibrators and what they accomplish. So for you sensitive people, you may want to stay away from this one. For the rest who can handle a little ribaldry, you're in for a great night. And for those that might get offended, well, just get over it. Not to beat around the bush, but it's only a play.
"In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play" performs at ACT through August 28th. For tickets or information contact the ACT box office at 206-292-7676 or visit them online at www.acttheatre.org.
Photo Credits: Chris Bennion
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