Photos by Michael Brunk / nwlens.com
Review by Shelli ParkAs the proverbial curtain rises, we are witness to the dawn of electricity in domestic life. A time when the magic of a harnessed electrical current creates the feeling of endless possibilities, of wonder and excitement. Though Burien Actors Theatre’s In the Next Room (or the vibrator play) is set in the late 1800’s, the themes have a universality which resonates today. Sarah Ruhl, the author, is a brilliant writer. It takes vision to put together a play which intertwines distinct personalities and multiple points of action on stage so artfully. It also takes a strong Director to guide the actors and action in such a way that there is not a feeling of competition on stage but harmony even amidst emotional upheaval. In this case, there are two directors. Both are strong women with vision. Rochelle Flynn and Maggie Larrick make a great team in this production and we benefit from their intuition and sensitivity, along with their collective strength. We are introduced to a doctor in a small East Coast spa town, Dr. Givings (Wade Hicks), who is building on Freud’s work with the Victorian diagnosis of hysteria in women. Dr. Givings is offering a new physical therapy which works magic to release the hysteria-causing magnetic fluid built up inside a woman’s womb. He is wonderfully detached from the reality of his new therapy. With the doctor’s guidance, the machine, this amazing machine, and sometimes with the additional assistance of his nurse, Annie (Pepper Hambrick), stimulates a paroxysm from his patients. Through the therapy, Dr. Givings tells stories from his experience in life purposefully, or innocently disassociating himself from the very personal outcome of his revolutionary therapy. This is a substantial play. It has humor, and heart, which keeps the action moving along, but we are also immersed in a distilled series of moments filled with deeper issues. We witness the dawn of electricity and its effects. We are faced with Victorian attitudes towards women, and about race, life and death, and sexuality in its various forms. And we mustn’t forget about love, which requires that we become vulnerable in order to fully experience it. We eavesdrop on discussions of philosophy, religion, and rain. The cast of this show is wonderful. These are seven strong actors and they work as an ensemble. Each actor holds his/her character through every glance, body language, and varying emotion. They have distinct personalities which they must portray convincingly, and each come off entirely believable. The therapy contraption is an amazing centerpiece. I’m not sure where the design for this prop came from, but, along with a tool called the Chattanooga vibrator, are believable for the time period and are both entertaining and shocking, though hopefully not literally. The set is built, and dressed, beautifully. Set design is by Albie Clementi, with props by Cyndi Baumgardner. The antiseptic white of the doctor’s office stands stage left in stark contrast to the warmth and vitality of the home, stage right, and reflects the differing personalities of the husband and wife who reside here. I noticed the lighting design in this production, not because I was paying more attention, or that it was not well done, but because it was so artfully designed, creating mood and time period. Well done, Zanna Paulson. If I sound really enthusiastic, it is because I am. I left the play feeling good as though I had participated in something important. I usually want to leave the theatre right away after a performance in order to process, not saying anything to the actors, keeping a bit of separation as a critic. Last night, however, I couldn’t help but tell the cast, as they stood in the lobby to meet theatre-goers, that they did a great job. I am proud of BAT for producing this play, and am excited for Burien. If this is the level of theater we are privileged to host, then we are in good shape as we continue to develop into the serious arts community so many of us desire. To end, my favorite character in this play, and it is so difficult to narrow it down, is Catherine Givings, the doctor’s wife, played by Jessica Robins. Robins plays a wonderfully bright and passionate woman. She is full of life and intelligence, and is a joy to watch. At the end of the play, both Givings and Hicks play a scene in the woods in which they are marvelously vulnerable and brave. And they are beautiful. TICKETS Ticket prices range from $7 to $20. Student tickets are just $10. For tickets, special deals or other information, go online to www.burienactorstheatre.org or call 206-242-5180. SAVE $5 OFF WITH THIS COUPON: Click the image below and Save $5 Off by printing your own Coupon:
- Saturday – Feb 13 at 8:00 p.m. – Date Night, half-off tickets!
- Sunday – Feb 14 at 2:00 p.m. – $7 Sunday + Valentines’ Day Concert – Rat City Brass from 7:30 pm to 9 pm – Click to get tickets online.
- Friday – Feb 19 at 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday – Feb 20 at 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday – Feb 21 at 2:00 p.m.
- Friday – Feb 26 at 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday – Feb 27 at 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday – Feb 28 at 2:00 p.m.
- Friday – March 4 at 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday – March 5 at 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday – March 6 at 2:00 p.m.
- General: $20
- Senior: $17
- Student: $10
Thanks, Shelli, for the thoughtful and well-written review. I’m looking forward to seeing the show soon.
I appreciate your comment toward the end:
“If this is the level of theater we are privileged to host, then we are in good shape as we continue to develop into the serious arts community so many of us desire.”
So, let us all spread the word about Burien’s wonderful Burien Actors Theatre.
I am surprised that (as of now) one person is against arts tourism in Burien. The average out of town arts tourist spends $39.95 above the ticket price. With the average patron spending $24.60 above the ticket price in the local economy. Really? That person in against growing Burien’s economy? Here is the study, it is from 2012, the last year data is available, http://www.americansforthearts.org/sites/default/files/pdf/2015/by_program/reports_and_data/research_studies_and_publications/Audience_Spending.pdf
I brought my in-laws and another couple to the play as we had attended a play at BAT last Valentines Day and had a wonderful time!! Well we ALL enjoyed it immensely. The actors were wonderful – the story intriguing – sets beautiful -costumes magnificent!!! I can’t say enough good things about the play. To think we can take part in such an outstanding production right in little Burien is such a treat. Look forward to more offerings from BAT.
What a laugh riot this play was! Lots of surprises, and I mean surprises! Not much time left to see it, so plan a dinner out and a play in Burien sooner rather than later! and further, this is based on a true story, which is a shocker in this day and age!