A Very Weiss Party
In the Next Room or the vibrator play opened the Julianne Argyros Stage season at South Coast Repertory on October 1, directed by Casey Stangl, and First Nights subscribers and their guests leapt to their feet in appreciation. Among the play’s biggest fans were Honorary Producers Jean and Tim Weiss, who attended with their guests—son and daughter-in-law Matt and Rhea Weiss and friends Steve and Laurie Duncan.
When the cheering died down, the conversation began as playgoers made their way to the Cast Party, sponsored by Marni in South Coast Plaza. And there was a great deal to discuss about the illuminating play, the Victorian era characters and the strict social mores that drive the action, led by Jean Weiss who called In the Next Room or the vibrator play “funny and thought-provoking,” a sentiment shared by everyone. She added, “Casey Stangl did a wonderful job combining comedy and tenderness, and, once again, Sarah Ruhl amazes."
Discussions continued long into the evening, even as First Nighters enjoyed the party ambiance, congratulated the artists, nibbled hors d’oeuvres and mini desserts provided by Quattro Caffe, sipped one of the signature drinks—Electric Lemonade and The Victorian—and, of course, shopped Marni, the upscale Italian boutique.
Hats off to all the artists involved, with a special salute to the Weisses, whose steadfast support of SCR includes underwriting all of these plays: The Education of Randy Newman, Much Ado about Nothing, Getting Frankie Married—and Afterwards, Intimate Apparel, Antigone, Mr. Marmalade, The Clean House, The Real Thing, Life is a Dream, Doubt, An Italian Straw Hat, Crimes of the Heart—and the 2007-08 Pacific Playwrights Festival!
