Ruhl's In the Next Room, with Benanti and Cerveris, Sets Broadway Abuzz Starting Oct. 22

By Adam Hetrick
October 22, 2009

Playwright Sarah Ruhl makes her Broadway debut Oct. 22 with the first preview of the Lincoln Center Theater production of In the Next Room or the vibrator play at the Lyceum Theatre.

Obie-winning director Les Waters, who staged the world premiere of In the Next Room at Berkeley Rep, where he is associate artistic director, helms the comedy about marriage, intimacy and electricity that is set to officially open Nov. 19.

The cast features Tony Award winners Laura Benanti (Gypsy, Why Torture Is Wrong) and Michael Cerveris (Road Show, Hedda Gabler), as well as Obie and Clarence Derwent Award winner Quincy Tyler Bernstine (Ruined), Ruhl veteran Maria Dizzia (Berkley Rep world premiere of In the Next Room, Eurydice), Thomas Jay Ryan (The Tempermentals, Passion Play), Wendy Rich Stetson and Chandler Williams (Mary Stuart, Crimes of the Heart).

Here's how Lincoln Center characterizes the play: "Set at the dawn of the age of electricity and based on the bizarre historical fact that doctors used vibrators to treat 'hysterical' women (and some men), the play centers on a doctor and his wife (Laura Benanti and Michael Cerveris) and how his new therapy affects their entire household."

The Broadway production has set design by Annie Smart, costume design by David Zinn, lighting design by Russell Champa, sound design by Bray Poor and original music by Jonathan Bell.

Sarah Ruhl has authored the plays Eurydice, The Clean House, Passion Play and Dead Man's Cell Phone. She most recently adapted Chekhov's Three Sisters for a new production at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, under the direction of Tony winner John Doyle (Sweeney Todd, Company, A Catered Affair).

The Lyceum Theatre is located in Manhattan at 149 West 45th Street.

For tickets visit LCT.