‘In the Next Room’ offers good vibes at Black Box

Few plays brilliantly tie together multiple thought-provoking themes. Fewer elicit consistent laughter. No Strings Theatre Company’s production of Sarah Ruhl’s “In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play” does both.

How do we reconcile our own needs with another’s needs? How does technology alter human behavior? Can one person be expected to be everything to us? How can we be swirling in such profound thoughts while also swept up in laughter?

Though I’ve seen this play in multiple productions in multiple cities, I still found myself leaning forward in my seat with excitement over how these characters’ wants collide.

Don’t be put off by the title. While the plot centers on a doctor treating women with hysteria via a vibrator in the 1880s, it’s no more scandalous than Meg Ryan’s famous faked climax in a deli (in the film “When Harry Met Sally”). Director Joshua Taulbee wisely managed staging and designs that are suggestive but not quite realistic.

While this play presents many challenges that intimidate professional directors and theater companies, this team manages them well. An actor plays piano effectively enough. The demands of the period set, costumes and props are met with obvious care. The set is quite beautiful and each new costume was a delight as the play progressed. The required interplay between ongoing action in both the doctor’s office and parlor is remarkably timed. I often found myself appropriately forgetting one side of the action was occurring because I was so entranced by the other.

The ensemble is fantastic. Each of the seven cast members explores the complexities of the story respectfully.

As Dr. Givings, a specialist in gynecological concerns, William Harrold is appropriately serious, stiff and, though oblivious, not uncaring. As his troubled wife, Rachel Thomas-Chappell’s training is obvious as she embodies curiosity, frustration, playfulness, flirtation, yearning and so much more.

The contradictions within every character are scripted exquisitely, and they were brilliantly inhabited by three actors in particular. Rachel Maze plays Leo with a Jack Sparrow-ian charm and unpredictability. Lisa Taylor’s Elizabeth is warm but remains businesslike until she cracks open with a sensational, unforgettable monologue. Cassandra Galban is perfection as Mrs. Daldry, an overwrought patient. She imbues each word with incredible sincerity and every movement with a mix of honest awkwardness and grace. Interplay between the wives was positively delectable.

While it isn’t uncommon that the performers frequent a certain stage in any town, it is notable that the properties designer, scenic artist, board operators and lighting designer take evident pride in their creative tasks on show after show at this theater.

It is remarkable that the production was so well rehearsed considering that Taulbee, as director and set designer, also had to step into a role during tech week. It was just another challenge he managed admirably.

Whether you attend theatre regularly or not, if you’ve read this far, I urge you to make it to this play. Take a friend whose thoughts you want to investigate. Plan for pie and a discussion afterwards. When I commended producers Ceil and Peter Herman for choosing to take a risk with this work, she said, “It shouldn’t be a risk. It’s a great play.” And yet, attending even great plays is often a risk in community theaters. Please take that risk with this one.

“In the Next Room or the vibrator play” continues its run at the Black Box Theatre, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through May 5, 2024, with an additional performance on Thursday May 2. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the website at No-Strings.org.