In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)
Encyclopedia
In the Next Room is a play by Sarah Ruhl
. It concerns the early history of the vibrator, when doctors used it as a clinical device to bring women to orgasm as treatment for "hysteria
." Other themes include Victorian ignorance of female sexual desire, motherhood and breastfeeding, and jealousy. The play was nominated for three 2010 Tony Awards
.
on February 5, 2009, under the direction of Les Waters
.
Directed again by Waters, the Broadway
production (presented by Lincoln Center Theater
) began previews at the Lyceum Theatre
on October 22, 2009 and officially opened on November 19. The cast included Laura Benanti
, Michael Cerveris
, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Maria Dizzia, Thomas Jay Ryan, Wendy Rich Stetson, and Chandler Williams. This production was nominated for three Tony Awards (see "Awards and Nominations" section).
In October and November 2010, the play was produced by The Actors Theatre, directed by Matthew Wiener at Herberger Theatre's Stage West in Phoenix, Arizona
. The cast stars Francis Jue
as Dr. Givings and Angelica Howland as Mrs. Givings.
In March–April 2011, the play was produced by the Sydney Theatre Company, directed by Pamela Rabe in the Drama Theate, Sydney Opera House.
In July-August 2011, the play was produced by A Contemporary Theater (ACT) in Seattle, WA, directed by Kurt Beattie.
In September-October 2011, the play was produced by the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket (TWN), directed by Anne Breeding.
In September-October 2011, the play was produced by the Playmaker's Repertory Company in Chapel Hill, NC, directed by Vivienne Benesch.
, which they endure but do not enjoy. Both are excited to have their first orgasms with the machine. Mrs. Daldry is content to continue having clinical treatments with the machine and suffer lifeless, boring sex with her own husband. "I am afraid there is very little sympathy between us." Catherine Givings wants more. First Mrs. Givings learns from a visiting artist that orgasms detached from love ultimately are unfulfilling and empty, simply surface, without soul, and similar to sex with prostitutes. Then a lower-class wet nurse, Elizabeth, reveals to Catherine that she may be able to enjoy the same sensations from the machine with her husband, with whom she is frustrated because of his clinical detachment, but still ultimately loves. Catherine first inspires jealousy and passion in her husband, then convinces Dr. Givings - who had earlier observed that "what men do not perceive because their intellect prevents them from seeing would fill a book" - to make snow angels with her and discovers the woman on top sex position, allowing her at last sexual satisfaction while the curtain lowers.
states the play was inspired by The Technology of Orgasm by Rachel P. Maines. Ruhl cites Maines's book, as well as AC/DC: The Savage Tale of the First Standards War and A Social History of Wet Nursing in America, as books she was reading when she chose to write the play.
nominations:
Sarah Ruhl
Sarah Ruhl is an American playwright. She is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship.-Biography:Ruhl was born in Wilmette, Illinois. Originally, she intended to be a poet. However, after she studied under Paula Vogel at Brown University , she was convinced to switch to playwrighting...
. It concerns the early history of the vibrator, when doctors used it as a clinical device to bring women to orgasm as treatment for "hysteria
Female hysteria
Female hysteria was a once-common medical diagnosis, made exclusively in women, which is today no longer recognized by modern medical authorities as a medical disorder. Its diagnosis and treatment were routine for many hundreds of years in Western Europe. Hysteria was widely discussed in the...
." Other themes include Victorian ignorance of female sexual desire, motherhood and breastfeeding, and jealousy. The play was nominated for three 2010 Tony Awards
64th Tony Awards
The 64th Annual Tony Awards took place on Sunday, June 13, 2010, held again at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The host was Sean Hayes. These awards recognize Broadway productions during the 2009–2010 season. The cut off-date for Tony eligibility was April 29, 2010, and the nominations...
.
Productions
The play premiered at the Berkeley Repertory TheatreBerkeley Repertory Theatre
Berkeley Repertory Theatre is a regional theater company located in Berkeley, California. It was founded in 1968, as the East Bay’s first resident professional theatre. Michael Leibert was the founding artistic director, who was then succeeded by Sharon Ott in 1984. The company runs seven...
on February 5, 2009, under the direction of Les Waters
Les Waters
Les Waters is a notable British theatre director. He has served as associate artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre for the last six years.-Career:...
.
Directed again by Waters, the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production (presented by Lincoln Center Theater
Vivian Beaumont Theatre
The Vivian Beaumont Theater is a theatre located in the Lincoln Center complex at 150 West 65th Street on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The structure was designed by Finnish American architect Eero Saarinen, and Jo Mielziner was responsible for the design of the stage and interior.The Vivian...
) began previews at the Lyceum Theatre
Lyceum Theatre
- United Kingdom :* Lyceum Theatre, London, a 2,000-seat West End theatre located in the City of Westminster* Lyceum Theatre , an Edwardian period Grade II listed building and theatre* Lyceum Theatre , a 1068-seat theatre in the City of Sheffield...
on October 22, 2009 and officially opened on November 19. The cast included Laura Benanti
Laura Benanti
Laura Benanti is an American actress of television, film and Broadway theatre noted for her award winning performance as Louise in the 2008 production of Gypsy.-Early years:...
, Michael Cerveris
Michael Cerveris
Michael Cerveris is an American singer, guitarist and actor. He has performed in many stage musicals and plays, including in several Stephen Sondheim musicals: Assassins, Sweeney Todd, Road Show, and Passion...
, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Maria Dizzia, Thomas Jay Ryan, Wendy Rich Stetson, and Chandler Williams. This production was nominated for three Tony Awards (see "Awards and Nominations" section).
In October and November 2010, the play was produced by The Actors Theatre, directed by Matthew Wiener at Herberger Theatre's Stage West in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. The cast stars Francis Jue
Francis Jue
Francis Jue is an Asian-American actor and singer. Jue is known for his performances on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in regional theatre, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area...
as Dr. Givings and Angelica Howland as Mrs. Givings.
In March–April 2011, the play was produced by the Sydney Theatre Company, directed by Pamela Rabe in the Drama Theate, Sydney Opera House.
In July-August 2011, the play was produced by A Contemporary Theater (ACT) in Seattle, WA, directed by Kurt Beattie.
In September-October 2011, the play was produced by the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket (TWN), directed by Anne Breeding.
In September-October 2011, the play was produced by the Playmaker's Repertory Company in Chapel Hill, NC, directed by Vivienne Benesch.
Plot summary
Sabrina Daldry and Catherine Givings are sexually frustrated with their husbands, who creep quietly into their beds at night and only use the missionary positionMissionary position
The missionary position is a "man-on-top" sex position usually described as the act in which the woman lies on her back and the partners face each other. Though often acted on and applied by heterosexual pairings, it may also be used by gay and lesbian couples.The missionary position is an example...
, which they endure but do not enjoy. Both are excited to have their first orgasms with the machine. Mrs. Daldry is content to continue having clinical treatments with the machine and suffer lifeless, boring sex with her own husband. "I am afraid there is very little sympathy between us." Catherine Givings wants more. First Mrs. Givings learns from a visiting artist that orgasms detached from love ultimately are unfulfilling and empty, simply surface, without soul, and similar to sex with prostitutes. Then a lower-class wet nurse, Elizabeth, reveals to Catherine that she may be able to enjoy the same sensations from the machine with her husband, with whom she is frustrated because of his clinical detachment, but still ultimately loves. Catherine first inspires jealousy and passion in her husband, then convinces Dr. Givings - who had earlier observed that "what men do not perceive because their intellect prevents them from seeing would fill a book" - to make snow angels with her and discovers the woman on top sex position, allowing her at last sexual satisfaction while the curtain lowers.
Staging
The set is divided between two rooms, a parlor and a doctor's office. At the play's climax, the actors step through the imaginary wall dividing the rooms to create the third and final scene, outdoors in the falling snow. Snow is used throughout the play as a symbol of love.Inspiration
In the Director Presentation Les WatersLes Waters
Les Waters is a notable British theatre director. He has served as associate artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre for the last six years.-Career:...
states the play was inspired by The Technology of Orgasm by Rachel P. Maines. Ruhl cites Maines's book, as well as AC/DC: The Savage Tale of the First Standards War and A Social History of Wet Nursing in America, as books she was reading when she chose to write the play.
2010 Tony Award nominations
The play garnered several 2010 Tony AwardTony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nominations:
- Best PlayTony Award for Best PlayThe Tony Award for Best Play is an annual award celebrating achievements in live American theatre, including musical theatre, honoring productions on Broadway in New York. It currently takes place in mid-June each year.There was no award in the Tony's first year...
- Best Featured Actress in a PlayTony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a PlayThis is a list of winners and nomination of the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress. The award was first presented in 1947.-1940s:* 1947: Patricia Neal – Another Part of the Forest* 1949: Shirley Booth – Goodbye, My Fancy-1950s:...
- Maria DizziaMaria DizziaMaria Teresa Dizzia is an American stage and screen actress. She was nominated for the 2010 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in In the Next Room ... - Best Costume Design of a PlayTony Award for Best Costume DesignThese are the winners and nominees for the Tony Award for Best Costume Design. The award was first presented in 1947 and included both plays and musicals...
- David Zinn