“In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)” is a comedic exploration of marriage, intimacy, and the dawn of electricity in the 1880s, based on the historical fact that doctors used vibrators to treat “hysteria.” The story unfolds in the seemingly perfect home of Dr. Givings, a gentleman scientist who has invented a device for this treatment, while his curious wife tends to their newborn daughter and wonders about the activities in the next room. When a patient and her husband enter their lives with their own complex relationship, the Givings couple is prompted to reflect on the nature of their own marriage and love.

Set against a backdrop of modern technology and instant gratification, the play highlights that true emotional intimacy and sexual satisfaction cannot be substituted by mere devices or artificial connections. It serves as a poignant reminder that genuine human touch and chemistry are irreplaceable and remain the most profound forms of connection.

Finalist: 2010 Pulitzer Prize in Drama

Nominee: Three 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Play

Directed By:  Christina Walker

A two-week run, Sept 13–27 — evenings at 7:30pm and weekend matinees at 2:00pm, with an added evening show Sat 9/26.

Allison Akmajian she/her (Sabrina Daldry) is thrilled to be back at Invisible Theatre! Born and raised in Tucson, Allison received world-class training from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City. You may remember Allison from last season where she made her Invisible Theatre debut as Irene Adler in Ken Ludwig’s MORIARTY. She recently participated in the Scoundrel & Scamp 24/7 Play Festival where she won the Acting “Scampy” for Most Masterful with Language. Some of her favorite roles include in Katie in KILLED A MAN (JOKING) (Etcetera), King Duncan in MACBETH (Stella Adler), and Lexi in macbitches (Scoundrel & Scamp). 

 

Kat Basso (Annie) is an actor, director and theatre instructor who moved here in 2022. She holds a BFA from the University of Florida and was heavily involved with a community theatre troupe in IL for 15 years. She has been acting, directing and teaching workshops for many years. She recently performed in LTW’s SILENT SKY and in several of Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre’s RADIO HOURS. Some of her favorite roles have been as Masha in VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE, Bella Manningham in ANGEL STREET, and Margot in DIAL “M” FOR MURDER. She is thrilled to be cast in her first show with Invisible Theatre. Kudos to cast and crew here-beyond amazing-and cheers to new friends!

 

Josh Parra he/him (Dr. Givings) is a native Tucsonan and studied theatre at Pima Community College. Past roles include Judge Brack in HEDDA GABLER (Beowulf Alley Theatre Company), Happy in DEATH OF A SALESMAN (Winding Road Theater Ensemble), John in THE REALISTIC JONESES (Live Theatre Workshop), Foster in PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS (TAZ Theatre), Mr. Smith in JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN (Arizona Repertory Theatre) and Sherlock Holmes in MORIARTY (Invisible Theatre). He is happy to be invited back to Invisible Theatre, and thanks his son Idris for his love and support.

Sean Patrick (Leo) is thrilled to play so close to type as a romantic wanderlust in IT’s In the next room. IT credits include Constellations, and Almost, Maine, and other local credits include Claudia’s Family, Borderlands Theater, Little Dog Laughs with Live Theatre Workshop, Ada & the Engine, Babel, and other productions at the Scoundrel & Scamp, Frankenstein and the Awakening at the Rogue Theatre. As a singer he has performed at the Century Room, the Coronet and other venues, and as a former singer, writer, and board member of Reveille Men’s Chorus. IG @spatrick_c

 

Taylor Rascher (Mr. Daldry) is thrilled for another opportunity to perform at IT! Tucson theatre-goers will remember Taylor from Invisible Theatre’s Sabbath Girl, S&S Where Words Once Were, NTSW reasons to be pretty, and ATC’s Sunshine Boys & Clybourne Park.  Taylor received a BFA in Acting, plus a BA in Creative Writing with a Philosophy minor from the University of Arizona. During his undergraduate career, Taylor was featured in various ART productions (As You Like It, Hay Fever, Julius Caesar, Inspecting Carol, Cymbeline). Following graduation, Taylor moved to Washington, D.C. where he performed at the Kennedy Center with the Washington National Opera (Moby Dick, Appomattox, AOI: Better Gods). Taylor would like to thank his wife, Stephanie, for all her support and patience, plus shout out his two sons: I love you three!

 

 

Tanisha Ray she/her (Elizabetth) is excited to work on this relevant and powerful project with Invisible Theatre! A published author and licensed counselor, Tanisha has had the privilege of working on various productions within Arizona’s vibrant artistic community such as FAIRVIEW, SILENT SKY, THE GARBOLOGISTS, MACBETH, DOUBT, POTUS, Arizona Theater Company’s INTIMATE APPAREL (as an understudy), and the award-winning short film, YELLOW ROSE. Tanisha is truly honored to be a part of this thought-provoking experience that encourages connection through individual vulnerability.  

 

Hannah Turner she/they (Catherine Givings) is honored to be back at IT, where you may have seen her as Jen in THE CAKE, Caitlyn in BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA, Angela Buxton in the staged reading of SWEET SPOT, or in the GOING IT ALONE monologue series. Her favourite past roles at Live Theatre Workshop include Pony Jones in THE REALISTIC JONESES, Alexandra in ON THE VERGE, and the titular talking-dog in SYLVIA. She has also worked with Southern Arizona Performing Arts Company as Joan in FUN HOME, in the musical’s first performance run in Tucson. 

Christina Walker (director) Director) is thrilled to be working with Invisible Theatre for the first time! While she may be new to Invisible Theatre, Christina is no stranger to the Tucson theatre community. After earning her degree from the University of Washington, she taught acting, voice & movement, and theatre history at Pima Community College for more than 12 years, while also spending 17 years acting, directing, and working behind the scenes with theatres in Tucson and Seattle. Most recently, she directed Silent Sky at Live Theatre Workshop. She has also directed A Tucson Pastorela at Borderlands Theater three times and Tucson’s first production of The Vagina Monologues, which played to a rowdy, sold-out house at the Rialto Theatre. Favorite acting roles include Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Shakespeare Under the Stars and PCC, Boo in Blue Window at MetaTheater, and Hazel in Rooted at Live Theatre Workshop. Christina has been fortunate to work with many wonderful Tucson theatre companies over the years, (including aka Theater, MetaTheater, Quintessential Productions, and Damesrocket Theater) many of which, sadly, are no longer around! After taking some time away from theatre to raise her amazing daughter, Christina is delighted to be back and grateful to be making theatre again. Thank you for supporting live theatre and the arts in Tucson!

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