Sarah Ruhl's flirtation with electricity, sex and the Victorian ethic comes to life and then some in the Open Fist's production of "In The Next Room or the vibrator play" at the Atwater Village Theatre Complex.
 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Spencer Cantrell, Jennifer Zorbalas and Stephanie Crothers Photo by Frank Ishman | .......0. | |
I've been having a little trouble with this site recently, so if it looks a little wonky, please soldier on ..
There is something to be said for heading back in time with Sarah Ruhl to examine life in the United States over a hundred years ago. The subtitle of the piece pretty much says it all.
Dr. Givings (Spencer Cantrell) is a thoughtful medical doctor whose 'surgery' is located in 'the next room' in his Victorian home, shared with his lovely wife, Catherine (Dionna Veremis). Sadly, their new baby (Letitia) has become undernourished because Catherine is unable to produce adequate quantities of mother's milk. An air of Victorian dignity permeates Jan Munroe's beautiful and authentic looking set as the magic of electricity is extolled by Catherine. Light!
The comings and goings of the succession of characters proceeds to shed light on a prim and proper time that leads to personal discoveries never before experienced.: thanks to better living through electricity (sic)!
The Daldrys arrive: (Stephanie Crothers and Christopher Carver). Mylette Nora's costumes take us back to a time when getting into and out of any clothing was a chore! Mrs. Daldry is experiencing sensitivity to light and her fingers that used to play the piano beautifully are no longer working properly. Dr.Givings thinks he can cure her ills. Electricity! The vibrator looks like one my mother used to have! Mmmmm.
Into the Next Room we go with Annie ( All business Jennifer Zorbalas) who, as Dr. Givings' aide-de-camp, takes notes, She respectfully assists patients disrobe and makes them comfortable.
Mrs. Daldry has a hat.
Whatever is ailing Mrs. Daldry is abandoned as the good doctor administers his sinister looking ray gun vibrator. Paroxysms of orgasmic wonderfulness explode with the treatment. Wheeee.
Later we meet the artist Leo Irving (Bryan Bertone). He is treated by Dr. Givings' cattle prod that goes where the sun don't shine. Ow.
Elizabeth (lovely Monazia Smith) is hired to wet nurse Baby Lottie and winds up a model Madonna for Leo while nursing Lottie. It's Art.
How to save a marriage lies at the foundation of Ruhl's play and as resolutions slowly come around we find the good doctor and his awakening wife in the snow.
Lane Allison's direction is slowly paced probably for a reason, but stage waits were numerous.
Tech credits are impressive. Producer Martha Demson's hard work has paid off.
IN THE NEXT ROOM or the vibrator play
by Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Lane Allison
Open Fist Theatre
Atwater Theatre Complex
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
March 18 – April 23:
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: March 18 (Opening Night), March 25, April 1, April 8, April 15, April 22
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: March 19, March 26, April 2, April 9, April 16, April 23
• Sundays at 6 p.m.: March 20, March 27, April 3, April 10, April 17
No comments:
Post a Comment