Footlight Club’s ‘In The Next Room or The Vibrator Play’ opens Feb. 2

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The Footlight Club

Footlight Club's "In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play" opens Feb. 2 and runs through Feb. 17, 2018.

Benjamin Franklin is often credited with discovering electricity. But did he ever think that doctors in the 1880s would use vibrators to treat "hysterical" women (and some men)? Probably not, but it actually did happen. The Footlight Club's play "In The Next Room or the Vibrator Play" focuses on a doctor, his wife and how this newfangled therapy affects their entire household.

The Footlight Club

Footlight Club's "In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play" opens Feb. 2 and runs through Feb. 17, 2018. (Photo credit Matt McKee)

“In the Next Room or The Vibrator Play” was a 2010 Tony Nominee for Best Play, Best Costume Design and Maria Dizzia was nominated as Best Featured Actress.

Jamaica Plain resident Scot Colford is thrilled to be working at The Footlight Club once again as Dr. Givings in the play.

"I love the way the playwright, Sarah Ruhl, can place deeply human, relatable characters in a highly dramatic, almost unbelievable situation to both great comic and emotional effect," said Colford to Jamaica Plain News. "It's exhilarating to play her delicious words and bounce from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other."

He previously appeared at The Footlight Club as Harry McAfee in “Bye Bye Birdie,” Gov. John Slanton in “Parade,” and Solyony in “The Three Sisters.” By day, Colford works as the web services manager for the Boston Public Library and he has also acted professionally.

The Footlight Club

"In The Next Room or the Vibrator Play" is set in the 1880s and based on the historical fact that doctors used vibrators to treat 'hysterical' women (and some men).

Fellow JP resident Rebecca Glucklich returns to The Footlight Club stage as Annie -- Dr. Givings’ incredibly bright and caring midwife assistant. "While Annie is often found taking care of things in the background, she always knows what’s going on in the Givings home and may even have a few things she could teach the Doctor - if he’d ever listen," said Glucklich, who credits playing the character taught her to step out from her comfort zone and try new things.

Glucklich has played a variety of roles in Footlight plays during the last 10 years. Most recently she appeared on stage in the spring 2017 production of “Promises Promises.” By day, she works as the Director of Alumni Relations at Emerson College.

The production is directed by Rebecca Miller and being presented in partnership with retailer Good Vibrations, which during the last three decades has provided products, education and information that promotes sexual health, pleasure and empowerment.

On Saturday, Feb. 3, there will be a special post-show talk with Miller and Phyllis Thompson, a cultural historian who works on 19th and 20th century American topics. Thompson's book project, "Domestic Pleasures: Dreams of Hope and Fulfillment in American Home Life," examines the "intellectual history of the idea of pleasure in private life." Thompson is an assistant professor of Gender & Sexuality Studies and director of the Center for Teaching & Learning at Stonehill College, and associate & lecturer in Women, Gender, and Sexuality at Harvard University.

"In The Next Room or the Vibrator Play" opens Feb. 2nd and runs for six shows through Feb. 17th. All performances are at 8 pm. Tickets are $22/$20 (for members). The Footlight Club is located at 7A Eliot St., Jamaica Plain and is America's oldest continuously operating community theater, currently in its 141st season. Please visit footlight.org for tickets or at the box office the night of the show.

Content advisory: This show contains sexual situations and nudity.

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