Speaking of The Vibrator Play

Boy, do we have a few brave actors walking among us.  No, I'm not talking about the movie production on Prudence Island.  I'm talking about the actors of 2nd Story Theatre's production of Sarah Ruhl's play, "In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)", directed by Vanessa Gilbert.  I went to the preview show last Friday night, and I read next-to-nothing about the play beforehand, so I was surprised (in a good way) by the depth of the story.  I knew that the play is a comedy, set in Victorian times, and I figured that a vibrator would make an appearance, but I didn't know about the layer of sadness that lives beneath the laughs.  The comedy provides a perfect counterpoint to the individual sorrows that the four women carry with them through the story.  And these women!  Don't get me wrong, the men are good, too, and deserving of applause, but the four women are the stars of this show, especially Rae Mancini, who so courageously and completely inhabits her character, Mrs. Daldry.  And the ending, oh, Dr. and Mrs. Givings, the ending is exquisite.  Bravo, 2nd Story!  Go see this play and these marvelous actors - they'll knock your socks off!

"In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)" runs through May 29th at 2nd Story Theatre, 28 Market Street in Warren, RI - call 401-247-4200 for ticket information.

Kristen Quinn writes about the arts and other topics at The Arts Room, a blog that explores the connections among families and schools and the local arts community in Bristol and Warren, RI; visit http://theartsroom.wordpress.com to read more.