Ruhl's IN THE NEXT ROOM to Play The Lyceum

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/9/09 at 6:20pm

"The Lincoln Center Theater production of Sarah Ruhl's In the Next Room or the vibrator play will play the Lyceum Theatre, recent home of Neil LaBute's Reasons to Be Pretty, in October.

Les Waters, who staged the world premiere of In the Next Room at Berkeley Rep, will direct the Broadway premiere. Previews will begin Oct. 22 with an official opening scheduled for Nov. 19.

The comedy centers on six lonely people seeking intimacy at the dawn of the electric age. Casting will be announced shortly.

In the Next Room marks the Broadway debut of playwright Ruhl, who has authored the acclaimed plays Eurydice, The Clean House and Dead Man's Cell Phone..."

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/130976

Updated On: 7/9/09 at 06:20 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/9/09 at 6:53pm

I'm so excited for this! My first Ruhl play!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/9/09 at 8:44pm

Opening on Nov. 19th and closing on...the 20th?

I'm really excited for this play but WHAT are they thinking putting it into the Lyceum? A place like this just can't survive there, haven't producers learned ANYTHING these past few seasons?

They'd better get some big names in this show to keep it open.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/9/09 at 8:45pm

It's Lincoln Center. There's a built in audience.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/9/09 at 8:47pm

True, but is there enough of a "built in" audience to fill The Lyceum 8 shows a week?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/9/09 at 8:51pm

It doesn't matter. It's a limited run with a subscription audience. They're not in it for financial gain, it's a non-profit production.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 7/9/09 at 8:54pm

It's going there because the Lyceum and the Cort are the only theaters that aren't booked for the fall and LCT needs to mount a new production for their subscriber base.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/9/09 at 9:06pm

Has anyone seen the original regional production of this? I'm particularly interested in those who have seen this that have also seen/read Ruhl's eurydice, DEAD MAN'S CELL PHONE, and THE CLEAN HOUSE. How does it compare?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/9/09 at 9:17pm

I haven't seen it, but I've heard a lot the first act read aloud (by Ruhl herself). I'd say it's not as fantastical, at least in the first act, but it's in act 2 that most of her plays sprout wings and fly away.

It's a lovely piece, very witty. It's about how electronic stimulation of the vagina (i.e. the first vibrators) was used to cure mental problems in women and the "self-discoveries" that happen after it brings them to orgasm.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/9/09 at 9:20pm

I sense a girl's night out for Mrs. Roxy!

[iflip4musicals]

Posted: 7/9/09 at 9:22pm

I haven't seen this one, but I've been a huge fan since "Passion Play: a Cycle" back in 06 I believe? Very excited for this show! (and glad it's LCT and has a fan/subscriber base!)

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 12:11am

I saw the regional production at Berkeley Rep back in February. Waters' staging is quite smart and innovative and he works well with the text that Ruhl provides. This play is less non-realistic than her other plays but holds its ground to some extent; the story needs some work and will undoubtedly get its needed adjustments for a Broadway bow.

I recall Ruhl responding to the critics remarks regarding the structure of her work with something like, "If life is uneven and doesn't always present a structured and perfect story, why should anyone expect my work to be like that?" or something to that extent. Suffice it to say, I quite enjoyed the production and I'm sure it will do well in New York.
Updated On: 7/10/09 at 12:11 AM

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 4:42pm

This isn't Ruhl's most conventional piece either, but I think people will be surprised with it.

The cast involved in a reading at Lincoln Center a few months ago was terrific, so I'm sure they're lining up great talent for this production.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 8:17pm

She's a remarkable playwright. Her adaptation for Eurydice is stellar.

[little_sally]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 8:25pm

Very excited to have a female playwright on the boards!

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 1:48pm

Variety mentions Laura Benanti as a possibility for the cast.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118005847.html?categoryid=15&cs=1

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 1:56pm

I love her work. I had the privilege of meeting her once and she was just remarkably kind and intelligent and just all-around amazing. EURYDICE and THE CLEAN HOUSE are two of my favorite plays and I can't wait to see this. However, the Lyceum is the most uncomfortable and ugly house I've ever been in. It's a shame it's going there. That balcony is horrendous and the whole theater needs a serious cleaning.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 2:03pm

I don't think it's an ugly theatre at all. I really love it, though I'd agree it needs some cleaning and interior restoration. Biggest problem with it is that it has the smallest orchestra level of I think any Broadway theatre.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 2:15pm

It just needs a good dusting, especially on top of the boxes.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 2:41pm

Everything needs to be dusted and repainted. It looks so gloomy and dull.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 2:46pm

For Ruhl fans, here's a series of "Essays I Don't Have Time to Write"

http://device.papertheatre.org/?p=18

http://device.papertheatre.org/?p=19

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 2:52pm

So you're saying The Lyceum needs a Clean House before Ruhl's next play?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 2:54pm

>Everything needs to be dusted and repainted. It looks so gloomy and dull.<

Hey, let's see what you look like when you're 105 years old!

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 3:07pm

That's what they have plastic surgery for.

[WestonBoy]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 4:21pm

What a wonderful playwright. How exciting it is to have her on the big boards!