In The Next Room

Before the performance of In The Next Room, ZACH has been presenting singing and piano playing in the main lounge area. Last night the singer was Laura Benedict Scott. I first met Laura at the Red Hot and Blues gala last year. Laura has a beautiful voice. She sang some classic songs, in a jazzy tone.
Since I've been trying to work on my photography skills with singers I asked her if it would be okay to take some pictures. It was quite the challenge as I didn't want to use a flash. The lighting kept changing , but I got a few interesting shots and a few minutes of video.

In the Next Room or the Vibrator play is about the use of a vibrator to cure hysteria. It's been interesting as people come to see the play and how they react to the title when asked what performance they are attending. Whenever women say vibrator they seem to laugh or giggle and the men seem a bit more serious.

Once again the set design for this production is tops and the costumes are really good and very colorful.
They were put together by Moria Sine Clinton. There are a few costumes changes and we get to see how the outfits are layered for effect as the female characters get to undress and redress on stage.
There are some funny moments in the film. Since I've not been working with parking the actors for this production I didn't know who was in the performance of if I knew any of the actors. It turns out Matthew Redden and Jill Blackwood are in the production. Matthew doesn't appear until the second half of the play as the artist with a lack of inspiration until he comes to Dr. Givings. Jill plays the wife of Doctor Givings played by Craig Mungavin. The play is filled with many messages. From learning about love, how to get it and how to give it. Making love and being pleasured. Enjoying the beauty of the body and the soul.

Sarah Ruhl is the author of In The Next Room or the Vibrator play and Sarah Rasmussen is the director.

There are a few moments where we are just watching the characters. Then there are some pauses when the scrim comes down and we are left to ponder what will happen next.
The special effects in the closing scene are really great. The play ends with Mrs. Givings noticing her husband in all his nakedness for the first time. There are so many people that don't really enjoy the beauty that is right in front of them.

Michelle Alexander plays Elizabeth the wet nurse, Michael Ferstenfeld plays Mr. Daldry who brings his wife to Dr. Givings. Amy Downing plays Mrs. Daldry the wife that is suffering from hysteria. Irene White plays Annie the nurse that assists Dr. Givings.

The play runs until Sunday at the Zachery Scott Topfer Theatre.