In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play

At the dawn of the age of electricity in America, a new treatment is devised to save women of substance from suffering. “Hysteria” was the diagnosis, and the new electric vibrating apparatus became a woman’s best friend in lieu of a husband who …understands. A titillating, charming, hysterical, and truthful look at human sexuality and connection. Sarah Ruhl is as whimsical and clever as ever, as her script navigates Victorian Age society and characters just trying to relate to one another beyond shallow chitchat over tea. Ruhl uses the simple device of the vibrator to open up discussions of gender, intimacy, and love.