With the advent of electricity
came a new
treatment for women of
means who suffered from
hysteria – a vibrating device
to help release fluids in the
womb. Yes, it is exactly what
you think it is and The Production
Company’s production
of Sarah Ruhl’s hysterical
play is fantastic.
Dr. Givings, played by
Michael Oosterom, has
invented a vibrating apparatus
to treat his patients.
Despite the obvious pleasure
that the apparatus provides,
Dr. Givings remains
emotionally detached and
views these sessions with a
scientific eye. Much to the
chagrin of his wife, played
by Joanna Strapp, all of her
husband’s studies into the
female condition has still
left him sadly oblivious to
the love and affection that
a woman wants from her
husband. Ruhl’s script is an
unconventional love story
and a beautiful thesis on love
and what it is to love.
The Victorian era setting
for this play is wonderfully
developed by set designer
August Viverito and costume
designer Kelly Graham. Viverito’s
set pays particular
attention to the details, right
down to the wainscoting
and electric Tiffany-esque
lamp that are typical of that
era. Graham’s costumes are
gorgeous and, unlike a lot
of smaller productions, the
characters change clothes
on a regular basis to help
demarcate the passage of
time.
Director August Viverito
has put together a phenomenal
cast and through
some clever blocking creates
several great moments
and some truly touching
relationships. Strapp is outstanding
as Mrs. Givings.
Her facial expressions are
hysterical and she is able
to convincingly portray a
woman who is surrounded
by people, but feels completely
alone and dejected.
Her performance is both
laugh out loud funny and
heart breaking. Oosterom,
as Dr. Givings, is the perfect
counterpart to Strapp. The
Givings are like two magnets
whose opposing polarities
are being forced together.
They want to love each
other, but societal conventions
prevent them from flipping
around where they can
come together easily.
Elizabeth Southard as
Annie, Dr. Givings assistant,
is magnificent. Her performance
is understated compared
to the antics taking
place around her, yet painful
in its honesty. On the other
end of that spectrum are the
two patients who are treated
for hysteria, Yael Berkovich
and Ben Gillman. They
both settle into their roles,
but their first scenes, before
they are treated for their
hysteria, are too over the
top to be believable.
This production is a treat
from start to finish. After
the initial embarrassed titters
about having a vibrator
on stage pass, the wit
of Ruhl’s script and obvious
talent on stage take over to
tell a wonderful story. This
play is not necessarily suitable
for the younger audiences,
but well worth the
ticket price. Even if just for
the love scene, which never
gets riskier than a PG rating,
but is pleasantly erotic
all the same. To quote Joss
Whedon’s “Firefly,” “I’ll be in
my bunk.”
The Production Company
Through September 28th
Tickets: www.theprodco.
com or 1-800-838-3006
Kat Michels is a two-time
regional Emmy award-winning
writer with an AAS in
video production and a BFA
in theatre.
