Stage

Students Bring Award-Winning Vibrtor Play to Kjer Theatre

show explores baffling 19th century medical treatment

Raquel Dorf, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

Is that what I think it is?
Is that what I think it is?

UW-Eau Claire’s Kjer Theatre is presenting In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play), a provocatively charming show about intimacy, marriage, passion, and electricity in the 19th century. The play, set in the 1880s, just after the advent of electricity, follows a young doctor as he uses new vibrator therapy on “hysteric” female patients in the name of medical treatment. (It was certainly a different time.) The play also traces the complicated relationship between the doctor and his wife, as they struggle intimately. Based on bizarre historical fact, the play attempts to explore many different aspects of women’s lives in the Victorian era. In the Next Room is a funny, insightful, and marvelously entertaining story that has won three Tony awards. (Needless to say, it contains mature subject matter.)

In The Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) • Tuesday, Dec. 8-12 • 7:30pm (matinee Dec. 12 and 13 at 1:30pm) • Kjer Theatre, 1602 Park Ave., UW-Eau Claire, Eau Claire • Ticket’s $18 • uwec.ticketforce.com • (715) 836-3178