IN THE NEXT ROOM OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY

THE ACTORS THEATRE OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. U.S.A | MILWAUKEE REPERTORY THEATRE, WISCONSIN. U.S.A - 2012

DIRECTED BY LAURA GORDON

COSTUME DESIGN BY Lorraine Venberg | LIGHTING DESIGN BY Brian J. Lilienthal

"The set, which displays the drawing room and the doctor's operating theater, is curvy and elegant and dressed with carefully selected and well-used props."

"With the spot-on aesthetic elements in place, the strong cast under the direction of Laura Gordon fantastically realizes Ruhl's exceptional script. Themes of nature versus technology, light and dark, and the quest for sexual identity prevail, allowing us to laugh at the characters' innocence, empathize with their struggles and leave feeling fulfilled." 

Leo Weekly - Louisville's Alt-Weekly  

"Ruhl lifts up the interesting phenomenon no less in evidence today than in 1880 whereby men and women often share space but on separate, parallel planes. While the male characters of In the Next Room carry on their insular lives, making plans and decisions for their wives and dependants, the female characters make connections with themselves and each other that pass unnoticed.

This idea is restated in scenic designer Philip Witcomb's beautiful design that incorporates two circles that meet, but fail to intersect. The set is also indicative of Ruhl's Victorian story-telling style, filled with embellishments often streamlined out of modern theatre."

"Brilliant"

Arts-Louisville

"Ruhl's Pulitzer Prize nominated play 'In the Next Room' skillfully invokes modern dilemmas on Scenic Designer Philip Witcomb's exquisite Victorian stage. His circular shaped rooms snuggly fit the set together while decorated with plush seating and detailed medical equipment."

"The evening offers a visual delight that electrifies all the audience's senses."

Postscript Performing Arts

"Philip Witcomb's geometric scenic design graphically illustrates all that divides us and the layers we must remove before we can find the spontaneity we have lost.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Highly recommended"

WHAS11.com ★★★★