If all that comes to mind when you hear "Doctor Ruth" is a tiny little woman with an accent and a little bit of a giggle – well, you'll probably enjoy The New Jewish Theatre's "Becoming Dr. Ruth" more than you expect.
The journey from pre-war Frankfurt to becoming America's sex educator is a long and winding road, and a pretty interesting one. It certainly isn't one for sissies. Taken to Switzerland in one of the kindertransports, the rest of her family swallowed by the concentration camps, she goes to then-Palestine, marries and moves to Paris. And that's just the start.
This one-woman show by Mark St. Germain (who wrote the thoughtful "Freud's Last Session) brings together Susie Wall as Ruth Westheimer and Jerry McAdams, who directed. The play obliterates the so-called fourth wall; Dr. Ruth acknowledges her audience and so we are become both a theater audience and visitors to her Upper West Side apartment.
Who we are is very much a product of what we came through – not the geographical locations but the experiences. And how she got to be the forthright, even chirpy, person who can talk about penis size like she talks about books or friends, no blushing, just matter of fact, is what we see. Yes, that word is used onstage, and there's no lasciviousness about it. There are some anatomical drawings (from a book my father owned, I realized when I saw its name – this published in 1923) shown on a screen at the rear of the stage that's used to great effect.
Wall is masterful; she and McAdams soar through this wonderfully. Scenic designer and artist Cristie Johnston's apartment and the screen, which by turns becomes a window, a picture frame and, in effect, a bubble above Westheimer's head carrying her mental pictures. work nicely; credit for the screen probably also needs to go to sound and projection designer Michael B. Perkins. And a tip of the hat to Will Vicari, who did the character's wig, perfect for the person we get to know.
Always fun to get more than you bargained for at the theater.
Becoming Dr. Ruth
through December 21
The New Jewish Theatre
Wool Studio Theater
2 Millstone Campus Drive