There are certain subjects deemed taboo by society. People cannot handle the uncomfortableness that comes with conversations around depression, sex and postpartum depression.
In Mt. SAC’s production of Sarah Ruhl’s play, “In the Next Room (Or The Vibrator Play)” the cast displays these themes under the bright lights of the Sophia B. Clarke Theater.
At first glance, sophomore Sariah Mitchell thought the play would inappropriately deal with sexual content. When she was cast as the lead of the play, Catherine Givings, she realized it was more than crudeness.
“[The play] is more about curiosity,” Mitchell said. “It’s more like a child seeing something for the first time.”
“In the Next Room (Or The Vibrator Play)” follows Dr. Givings as he treats hysteria by applying electric massages to the vulva. While Dr. Givings experiments with electricity during the dawn of its invention, his wife, Catherine (Mitchell), is having trouble connecting with their newborn girl as she is unable to breastfeed her.
The production will mark Mitchell’s last performance on the Sophia B. Clarke stage before transferring to a university, so she understands the importance of the play’s theme in this current time.
“It’s important because it highlights women’s individuality and the importance of that, especially in this time period,” Mitchell said. “Even though [the play] takes place in the 18th or 19th century, it’s still relevant today – even in 2024.”
The handling of intimate moments in the play called for the production team to hire an intimate coordinator. Mt. SAC alum Josh Block believes the communication offstage helped the onstage chemistry of the cast. “By the time the lights go up on stage, we’re just ready to go,” Block said.
Block graduated from Mt. SAC but returned to audition for the play to gain more experience in auditioning and acting on the stage. He was cast as Dr. Givings, the doctor experimenting with the vibrator.
For Block, the themes in the play are amplified by what the world experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Catherine Givings just [gave] birth to a child and [is] experiencing postpartum depression and not feeling inadequate [with her husband],” Block said. “I feel like a lot of people can relate to that as well as having a partner who’s so emotionally distant because he’s off in his world doing everything.
“I think that a lot of people can relate to that as well, especially with everything that happened in the last four years.”
With rehearsals completed, junior stage manager Maricruz Larios will take over for director Cummings as a stage manager takes over production during its run. The process of actors making a distinct connection with the characters throughout the rehearsal process is one of her favorite parts of the production.
“I just love being able to sort of do my job,” Larios said. “But also in a way, sit back and let Christine and our assistant director Daisy take over and watch them play around with the show a little bit before I get to take over and do my own things with it.”
The show runs from April 18-20 at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee on April 21 at 1:30 p.m. at the Sophia B. Clarke Theater. Tickets can be purchased here.
This play contains adult situations, sexual content and perceived partial nudity. It is not recommended for children under 18.
