BWW Reviews: The Rep's Arousing Production of IN THE NEXT ROOM OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY

Playwright Sarah Ruhl has crafted a brilliantly funny and touching work with In the Next Room or the vibrator play, a piece that's as moving, in the end, as it is hilarious and erotic. While it concerns itself with the invention of the device mentioned in the title, it's also an amusing look at all things Victorian, and acts as a send-up of the kind of societal comedies that authors like Oscar Wilde made so famous. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has mounted an exceptional production of this arousing play that features a marvelous cast and savvy direction.

The setting is New York in the 1880's, and Catherine Givings has some misgivings about the nature of her husband's work. It seems that the intensely dedicated clinician is utilizing the new found wonders of electricity to treat women who suffering from "hysteria". By applying his vibrating apparatus to the nether regions of his female patients he's able to cause a paroxysm, or in other words, an org*sm, that results in the patient feeling greatly relieved and in improved health. Naturally, Catherine has heard the shouts of ecstasy coming through the door in the next room and is beginning to wonder about what's going on during these sessions. Her curiosity gets the best of her and she embarks on a treatment of her own with the aid of a sympathetic and eager patient, Sabrina Daldrey. But, what she's really seeking is a genuine sense of intimacy from the good doctor.

Annie Purcell brings a winning quality to the role of the nervously loquacious Catherine, who's barely able to keep herself under control, and consistently blurts out the wrong thing to say at the precise moment she shouldn't. Purcell's considerable energy helps to keeps the pace moving along at a nice clip. She's nicely matched with Ron Bohmer, who deftly handles the role of Dr. Givings, maintaining a professional aloofness even in his dealings with his wife, until she decides to leave him and he reluctantly drops his guard. It's a real pleasure watching this pair finally come together, so to speak.

Emily Dorsch is terrific as Sabrina Daldrey, a patient of Givings who fills Catherine in on some of the details of her treatment, and she also plays a nice, melancholy song on the piano to good effect. Michael James Reed is also quite good as her oblivious husband, who patiently bides his time in the garden of the Givings while his wife undergoes treatment. Amy Landon does sharp, neatly understated work as Annie, a midwife and nurse who assists Dr. Givings in his duties, which may include a bit of manual stimulation if the instrument fails to produce the desired effect. David Christopher Wells shines as a pompous, bohemian artist who's diagnosed with a rare case of male hysteria and given a more peculiar treatment, but with similar results. Krystel Lucas rounds out the cast in fine fashion as Elizabeth, a wet nurse hired by Givings to provide the milk his "inadequate" wife is unable to supply to their newborn.

Stuart Carden's direction is flawless, with superb performances all around, as well as clever blocking that keeps the action moving as briskly as a well-played farce. Scenic designer Gianni Downs has constructed a wonderful set, and along with the costumes of Dorothy Marshall Englis, evokes the era. Mark Wilson's evocative lighting, along with the sound design and original compositions of Mikhail Fiksel, act in concert to set the mood.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has produced another can't-miss effort with In the Next Room or the vibrator play. There's nothing salacious or prurient here, just a very funny and exhilarating show that also manages to touch the heart. In the Next Room or the vibrator play continues through March 27, 2011 in the Studio Theatre of the Loretto-Hilton.

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