The Vibrator Play Sends Waves Through Berkeley Rep

Once you get past the title, which is actually “In the Next Room (or the vibrator play)” you realize that it’s a very funny and poignant period piece, as innocent as it is subversive in its reflection of societal attitudes and misconceptions. Written by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Les Waters, the play is based on a well documented yet not all that well-known medical fact that a century ago doctors treated women diagnosed with “hysteria” by inducing orgasms (hysterical paroxysms) right in their offices. Lately, this fact is being widely researched in plentiful monographies and on the History channel, but is far from becoming a common knowledge as it remains in the realm of topics not to be discussed by the office water cooler. It is not surprising that the Berkeley Rep, with its motto, Break out of the ordinary, chose the MacArthur fellow’s comedy for its 50th world premiere. Some early specimens of the electrical devise, which made well-meaning doctors’ lives so much easier, are presented in the foyer of the Roda Theatre for public observation. The show, with all its subtleties and slips of tongue, silent gazes an awkward pauses is beautifully delivered by a very talented cast, led by Hannah Cabell (Catherine Givings) and Paul Niebanck (Dr. Givings). In the Next Room runs through March 15. At select performances, free tastings from local culinary artisans are offered one hour before curtain: Forth Vineyards on Feb. 15; Fra’ Mani Handcrafted Salumi on Feb. 8 and March 6; Peterson Winery on Feb. 13; the Spanish Table on Feb. 15; Amanda’s on Feb. 21; Teance on Feb. 27; Peet’s Coffee & Tea on Feb. 28; Charles Chocolates on March 1, and Domaine Carneros on March 7. Berkeley Rep Roda Theatre is locates at 2015 Addison Street, Berkeley. Call 510-647-2949 or visit www.berkeleyrep.org Stacy Ross, Maria Dizzia and Paul Niebanck star in a new comedy about marriage, intimacy…and electricity. The world premiere of In the Next Room (or the vibrator play) reunites MacArthur genius Sarah Ruhl and Obie Award-winning director Les Waters.
Photo courtesy of kevinberne.com