In the Next Room, or the vibrator play

We went to see In the Next Room, or the vibrator play, tonight.  It was the first play I have seen done by the Cleveland Playhouse since they relocated to the newly remodeled Allen Theatre's Second Stage at Playhouse Square. The space was amazing!   The stage was surrounded by audience seating on three sides in a stadium configuration.

I was actually surprised by the content of the play.  I was expecting a straight out comedy with lots of sexual humor.  Although there was some of that, mostly, it was a show about frustrations in relationships.  The setting is the Victorian Era, in the household of the doctor who invented the vibrator.  The device in question is a medical treatment for "hysteria," and it serves at a catalyst for the main characters to reevaluate their relationships. 

The play is surprisingly poignant.  It touches on the topics of martial frustration, heartbreak, infertility, and infant death.  I can understand why it was nominated for three Tony Awards.  Also, I was not expecting the male nudity.  It was tasteful, but unexpected.   The web page does warn about it though.  The costumes were amazing!