[NEohioPAL] BERKO REVIEW: IN THE NEXT ROOM (or the vibrator play)

[Roy Berko]

*
*

*
*

*
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
*

*VIBRATOR is stimulating on Cleveland Playhouse’s Second Stage *



Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland Critics Circle)



As reviewers and special guests came up to the media table in the lobby of
the Allen Theatre, before the opening night performance of *IN THE NEXT
ROOM (or the vibrator play)*, they were given a bag of “goodies” supplied
by the show’s sponsor, Ambiance, which bills itself as “the store for
lovers.”  Without going into detail about the gifts, the contents were a
perfect hint of what was to come once the lights went up on CPH’s Second
Stage.



During the late nineteenth century, terms like “hysteria” and “frigidity”
were used to describe maladies associated with the “weaker sex.”  Everyone,
from Thomas Edison to Sigmund Freud to the medical profession, jumped into
the fray trying to get women to transform into “their finer selves.”



Without knowing it, the men were acknowledging puritanical attitudes, which
deemed that women were to be subservient to their husbands, and their duty
was to make sure their husbands were satisfied.  Male controlled views of
life resulted in females not reaching emotional or sexual climax and,
therefore, were in a state of constant frustration.



It is ironic that now, in the twenty-first century, women are still being
controlled and demonized by a political system in which respect for the
female body and the ability to control their own destinies are being
subjugated by religious groups and a political party.



Sarah Ruhl’s *IN THE NEXT ROOM (or the vibrator play)* is an often funny,
emotional and revealing tale which examines female sexual desire,
motherhood, breastfeeding, jealousy, personal discovery and the rigidities
of society.



The setting is a prosperous town outside of New York City in the 1880s.  Dr.
Givings is a young doctor who has a fascination with technology and
believes through physical and mechanical vaginal manipulation he can cure
women of their moodiness, hysteria and depression.



Catherine, Givings’ wife, has recently given birth to a baby, but does not
have enough natural milk supply to satisfy the child.  A wet nurse is hired.
The baby bonds quickly with the caring, emotionally and sexually satisfied,
Elizabeth.  Catherine, not only is frustrated from a lack of attention from
her husband, but is now in a state of having no outlet for her satisfaction
of emotional and female needs.



In the meantime, Sabrina Daldry comes to Dr. Givings for help.  She
transforms under the care of the doctor and Annie, a nurse-midwife.   Sabrina
and Catherine soon form an alliance to discover why their lives have been
so angst filled.  Part of the reason, they believe, includes that their
“husbands creep quietly into their beds at night and only use the
missionary position,” thus satisfying themselves but leaving their wives
unfulfilled.



A free love painter, snow (the symbol of love), making snow angels, some
level of awareness on the part of men of the needs of women, the binding
restrictions of the female clothing of the era, use of the electronic
device on a male, sage advice from a wet nurse, and a piano interlude, all
come together to provide  heightened awareness.



Though the play is a little too long, especially the protracted second act,
and the staging of the ending is a big over the top, CPH’s production,
under the direction of Laura Kepley is well done.  The show is well-paced,
the acting is top notch, the stage set by Michael Raiford is visually
stimulating, Michael Boll’s lighting creates the proper moods, and David
Kay Mickelsen’s costume designs, especially the women’s clothing, are
era-correct and breathtaking.



Nisi Sturgis walks the fine line between angst and giddy with precision as
Catherine Givings.  Jeremiah Wiggins, as the educated yet clueless Dr.
Givings, is excellent.  Gail Rastorfer makes the uptight nurse, Annie, a
symbol for the need for women to act on their impulses.  Birgit Huppuch is
delightful as Sabrina Daldry, transitioning perfectly from “hysterical” to
freed from frustration.  Donald Carrier is so very “proper” as Mr.
Daldry.  Rachel
Leslie, as the Black wet nurse, Elizabeth, develops a character that
clearly displays a satisfied woman who, relieved of the Victorian “white
person’s” attitudes, responds to life on a real level.  Zac Hoogendyk gives
the right free-spirited attitude to painter Leo Irving.



Be aware that the play contains sexual reenactments, full male nudity, and
explicit language.

* *

*CAPSULE JUDGMENT:  IN THE NEXT ROOM (or the vibrator play) is filled with
laughter, views of the needs of women, naïve treatment of the “weaker sex”
by men, excellent acting, and a beautiful set and costumes.  This is a
production well worth seeing!!!*



IN THE NEXT ROOM (or the vibrator play) runs through May 13 at the Brooks
Theatre in the Second Stage of the CPH’s Allen Theatre.  For tickets call
216-241-6000 or go to www.clevelandplayhouse.com.


 Roy Berko's commentaries and reviews appear on coolcleveland.com,
neohiopal.com,artsamerica.com,

and broadwaynews.com.  His blog is: www.royberko.info

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.neohiopal.org/pipermail/neohiopal-neohiopal.org/attachments/20120419/1522d6c9/attachment-0004.htm>