Albright shakes things up with 'In the Next Room' June 10-25
The Albright Theatre Company in Batavia is all abuzz over its next production, “In the Next Room, or the vibrator play” by Sarah Ruhl.
At the dawn of the age of electricity, in a seemingly perfect, well-to-do household in the 1880s, Dr. Givings has begun treating “hysteria” in women (and occasionally men) in his home operating theater with an extraordinary new electrical device. Meanwhile, his lonely wife, Catherine, tends to their newborn daughter in the parlor — and begins to wonder exactly what is going on in the next room.
While the show is a comedy offering plenty of laughs, there are surprisingly poignant moments as well.
“The playwright uses humor to illustrate the search for intimacy in the lives of these characters,” said director Maureen Morley of Batavia. “Although the show is set in the late Victorian era, its example of employing technology as a substitute for true connectedness certainly resonates today.”
The show features Jon Witt of Naperville as Dr. Givings, Tiffany Jasinski of Streamwood as Catherine Givings, Heidi Swarthout of Oswego as Sabrina Daldry, Dan Stromquist of St. Charles as Leo Irving, Christine Hall of Glen Ellyn as Annie, Nikki Harris of Batavia as Elizabeth, and Jeff Pripusich of North Aurora as Mr. Daldry. The show is produced by Jennifer Ring of Batavia and Linda Brooks of North Aurora.
“This is a fearless cast,” Morley said. “From the very first day, they jumped into the material without hesitation. They're having fun, and it shows.”
Because of its mature themes, it is not for children, but makes for a great evening of entertainment for couples or a girls' night out.
“This play is not done very often in community theater. The title scares people away, I think, and that's a shame,” Morley said. “It's such a good show, touching on so many themes, marriage, motherhood, loss, innocence, intimacy, and yes, the other thing too. We are fortunate to have a theater like the Albright in Batavia that will take a chance on a show like this, so I hope audiences will come out and see it. I promise they will leave satisfied.”
Performances will be 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, June 10-25, in the third-floor auditorium of the Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia. Due to the Flag Day celebrations, there will be no performances June 12. Not recommended for children due to implied sexual content.
Tickets are $15, $12 for students/seniors. Group discounts are available. Reservations are highly recommended; call (630) 406-8838. For information, visit www.albrighttheatre.com. Follow twitter.com/albrighttheatre.