My thoughts on IN THE NEXT ROOM or the vibrator play (with spoilers)

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/22/09 at 11:35pm

First off: the number one thing I didn't expect to see tonight: Michael Cerveris' penis.

IN THE NEXT ROOM is a lovely, sweet long play. The problems will be ironed out by the opening; it's in fine shape, just needs 15 or 20 minutes shaved from Act II.

Cerveris and Laura Benanti play Dr. and Mrs. Givings. He induces paroxysms in women and men to cure their hysteria. She just gave birth but cannot produce milk, so they must hire a wet nurse (Quincy Bernstine). Maria Dizzia, one of Ruhl's wonderful interpreters, plays Mrs. Daldry, who is being given the treatment for hysteria. Chandler Williams plays a painter with whom Mrs. Givings falls in love. There's a maid - the actress' name escapes me, with whom Mrs. Daldry falls for.

It's about found love and lost love, essentially. The same thing all Ruhl's plays are about.

Of the very fine cast, only Benanti sticks out negatively. She just skews too modern. Dizzia is dazzling, Cerveris is quite strong, and Williams is also very fine.

The final scene - set in a snow fall - the most Ruhlian moment in the play - features Cerveris and Benanti making love. He's entirely naked. Take that into account, children.

It's 2.5 hours even; will probably slink down to 2:15 by the time previews are over.

It was lovely.
Updated On: 10/22/09 at 11:35 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/22/09 at 11:39pm

Aaaaaaaah I can't wait to see this. I wasn't planning on going for a few weeks, but I don't know that I'll be able to hold out.

Updated On: 10/22/09 at 11:39 PM

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/22/09 at 11:42pm

Wow. I actually thought Laura was the best of the bunch...went into this play thinking I was going to hate it, but I did not end up hating it. I didn't really like it either...the subject matter is very out there for Broadway (more suited to Off Bway in my opinion).

It is definitely worth seeing for Laura's performance though...she is a true star.

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 10/22/09 at 11:43pm

I also loved Benanti! She was my favorite as well. I enjoyed the play very much.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/22/09 at 11:54pm

Speaking of shaving, did you view Cerveris' back?

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 12:02am

That's it...I'm going as soon as possible!

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 12:24am

For anyone who ordered through TDF, where were your seats?

[DramaQueen700]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 1:40am

I have the EXACT same thoughts and feelings as Yankeefan07.

I enjoyed the play. Benanti seems to be in her own world, and cannot play period. It was very distracting. The rest of the cast is lovely, and the play was fun.

And at that final scene, I couldn't believe what was happening? It seemed gratuitous, especially if benanti wasn't going to be nude, as well.

Updated On: 10/23/09 at 01:40 AM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 7:48am

The ending, I thought, was lovely. I figure it'll be shortened entirely.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 8:34am

I'm going tonight through TDF. I'm so excited! My favorite new playwright in my favorite Broadway theater! So exciting! Guess I need to sneak up to the front row for Act 2, or not.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 9:24am

I have very mixed feelings on Benanti in this play. I've adored everything she's ever been in but in parts she did seem out of her element in this. As for her being "too modern", in this play she is modern. She's breaking out of the world that society has created for her so I don't see that as a negative. However, her performance just didn't "click". I have no doubt at all that through the preview period and with changes made (yes, PLEASE shave at least 20 minutes off of Act 2), she'll become perfection, though.

Oh and count me in as one of the people who looked around when he took his clothes off thinking "Really? This is actually happening? Does.....it have to?"

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 9:28am

Benanti does have some nice moments, but her delivery doesn't click with the rest of the cast.

It would be fairer if she took her clothes off, as well (but she's got tattoos up the wazoo, it seems, so that would be anachronistic).

I still think the nudity will be cut.

But it is an intensely beautiful sequence.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 9:30am

Yankee, the final scene was so beautiful and moving and I understand the nudity in it, and the reason why he is the only one naked but even still, I hope it's cut.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 9:39am

Yeah. At least cut it in half, so it doesn't go on as long as it does.

I enjoyed the play very much - but it's got as many endings as the last Lord of the Rings movie.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 9:43am

That is SO funny you said that! That's exactly what I said as we were leaving the theater last night! LOL

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 9:46am

Wait, there is no Laura Benanti nudity?!?!

I'm less interested now.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 9:47am

Who the HELL would get any kind of thrill looking at the penis of Michael Cerveris? And I speak from experience as a long-term, jaded voyeur.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 9:56am

The play should be retitled "Sweeney Peenie"

[Shakespearean]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 10:33am

At least you didn't day "Teeny..." anyway...

I read this play about a year ago and asked myself, as a director, about the nudity at the end (Despite my voyeuristic proclivities, I always ask this - surprise!). At that time, there was no thought of who would play it or where, and it seemed like a justified choice to me. The stage directions at that time were, "He undresses her, partially" and after the last dialogue, "She undresses him", which seemed very appropriate to our journey. I don't think it was intended for Mrs. Givings to be nude, tattoos or not.

Just my two cents...

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 10:48am

Why couldn't we have Benanti or Wiliams nudity instead? !

Where were the TDF seats?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 10:49am

'Cause then the scene wouldn't mean anything.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 11:00am

Now I'm really curious about what happens! I know people who are familiar with the play, but I've purposefully stayed away from knowing too much about the plot, so even if I ask for spoilers, do not give them to me! I really want to go into this one blind; something about Ruhl makes me feel like that's the best way to experience her work.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 11:09am

Also, assuming that I am going to break down and go soon, what's their rush situation? I know it's on TDF, but I'd rather do whatever's going to yield better seats, since the Lyceum balcony scares me.

[Calvin]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 11:11am

em, I posted this on the other thread, but I don't think anyone was in the balcony last night.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/23/09 at 11:11am

I agree, but I broke down and got TDF because Lincoln Center usually waits forever to start their rush. I remember "Joe Turner" taking a little while. But it was like 32 or something for that?