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April 1 - 23, 2023 , Outcalt Theatre

Theater J's Production of

Becoming Dr. Ruth

written by MARK ST. GERMAIN
directed by HOLLY TWYFORD

Run time: Approx. 90 min, no intermission

The triumphant true story of America’s Favorite Sex Therapist! Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer changed the way we talk about sex and relationships with her hit '80s radio call-in show, Sexually Speaking. Now, she welcomes us into her home to share the unlikely path she took to becoming “Dr. Ruth.” With her trademark wry humor, warmth, and candor, Dr. Ruth recounts her life’s many roles: a child escaping Nazi Germany on the Kindertransport; an Israeli sharpshooter in the 1940s; a single mother in America; and finally, the global celebrity sought out by presidents. This life-affirming solo show is a testament to resilience, forging your own path, and the joy of human connection.

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discuss discuss
  • What do you think are key factors for a happy & healthy relationship? A happy & healthy life?

  • Who is someone in your life that inspires you?

  • Are you familiar with Dr. Ruth? How were you first introduced to her and what do you know about her? Ever tune into her radio show or watch her on TV?

  • What was your experience with sex education?

  • Dr. Ruth talks of her work as a sex therapist and educator as her contribution to “repairing the world?” What is your contribution? What do you want your legacy to be?
learn learn

Learn: A Woman of Words

Dr. Ruth Westheimer has lived an extraordinary life - a heroic and inspirational journey with wisdom and iconic moments enough to fill a book! More like OVER THIRTY!

In addition to having a wealth of experiences, Dr. Ruth Westheimer is a prolific author of books that range from relationship guidance, to sexual behavior and exploration, to spiritual interpretation, to children’s books, and more. Here is an abbreviated list of some selected texts by Dr. Ruth if you’re interested in reading and learning more about or from this fascinating woman.

Children’s Books

  • Crocodile, You’re Beautiful!: Embracing Our Strengths and Ourselves

  • Dr. Ruth: Grandma on Wheels (Little Golden Book)

  • Roller Coaster Grandma: the Amazing Story of Dr. Ruth

  • Who Am I? Where Did I Come From? (A Pop-Up Book)

  • Leopold

  • Dr. Ruth Talks to Kids: Where You Came From, How Your Body Changes, and What Sex is All About

  • Dr. Ruth Talks about Grandparents: Advice for Kids on Making the Most of a Special Relationship

Sex and Relationships

  • Sex For Dummies

  • Romance for Dummies

  • Rekindling Romance for Dummies

  • Dr. Ruth’s Top 10 Secrets for Great Sex: How to Enjoy It, Share It, and Love It Each and Every Time

  • Dr. Ruth’s Sex After 50: Revving up the Romance, Passion & Excitement!

  • Dr. Ruth’s Guide to Good Sex

  • Stay or Go: Dr. Ruth’s Rules for Real Relationships

  • From You to Two: Dr. Ruth’s Rules for Real Relationships

  • Dr. Ruth’s Relationship Roadmap

  • Dr. Ruth’s Guide for Married Lovers

  • Dr. Ruth’s Guide to Teens and Sex Today: From Social Networking to Friends with Benefits

  • Dr. Ruth’s Guide to College Life

  • Grandparenthood

  • Human Sexuality: A Psychosocial Perspective

  • The Art of Arousal: A Celebration of Erotic Art Throughout History

  • Myths of Love: Echoes of Ancient Mythology in the Modern Romantic Imagination

  • Power: The Ultimate Aphrodisiac

  • The Doctor Is In: Dr. Ruth on Love, Life, and Joie de Vivre

  • Dr. Ruth's Encyclopedia of Sex

Autobiographical

  • All in a Lifetime: An Autobiography

  • Musically Speaking: A Life Through Song

Spiritual Interpretation

  • The Olive and the Tree: The Secret Strength of the Druze

  • The Unknown Face of Islam: The Circassians in Israel

  • Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition

  • Surviving Salvation: The Ethiopian Jewish Family in Transition

Health

  • Dr. Ruth’s Guide for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver: How to Care for Your Loved One without Getting Overwhelmed…and without Doing It All Yourself

  • Sexually Speaking: What Every Woman Needs to Know about Sexual Health

  • Dr. Ruth’s Pregnancy Guide for Couples: Love, Sex, and Medical Facts

  • Dr. Ruth’s Guide to Talking about Herpes

    learn

visit visit

Visit: History and Health

Integral to Dr. Ruth’s identity and her story is her Jewish heritage. In Beachwood, we have the amazing resource of the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage. The Maltz Museum opened in 2005 and has two standing permanent collections as well as rotating exhibits which include hands-on activities, art, film, and a whole host of texts and images to aid in continued education of Jewish Heritage and the Jewish experience in America.

visit


“If I can prevent one unintended pregnancy, one person from getting AIDS, one person from getting a sexually transmitted disease, it will be worth it.”

  • Dr. Ruth Westheimer with USA Today

Dr. Ruth is a big proponent of sexual exploration, communication, and education, all of which is best practiced through consent and safety. If engaging in sexual relationships, be sure to check your status to protect yourself and others. Check out resources in Cleveland like Planned Parenthood to be sure of your status.

share share

Share: How Did You Learn about Sex?

Talking about sex is complicated and can sometimes get pretty squirmy - perhaps no time as squirmy as the first “talk”. What was “the talk” like for you? There are an astounding number of euphemisms, analogies, metaphors, and frankly some are more puzzling than they are educational. “The birds and the bees”; “a special hug”; any of the many baking metaphors…were any of these featured when your education bega?. Some may be silly, some may be quite clinical; what was helpful, what made you blush? If you’d like us to anonymously share your story, email insidecph@clevelandplayhouse.com.

share


experience experience

Experience: Dr. Ruth through Media

RADIO: Dr. Ruth got her start speaking to the masses over radio - WKNYC has put together a queue of radio spots in the last decade where they’ve brought Dr. Ruth to talk about her documentary, her life, and her views on sex. Even when listening to just her voice, one can experience how infectious her energy is; her ability to engage interviewers and listeners alike is unmatched. Dr. Ruth appeared on NPR’s comedy series radio broadcast, Ask Me Another. Take a listen for yourself.

TELEVISION: When Dr. Ruth expanded her work to televised broadcast, her energy was all the more on display and all the more infectious to those who got to watch her. She was interviewed by David Letterman in 1984. At 0:32, the way she clocks Letterman’s brusque welcome and takes control of the conversation and the room is a masterclass to us all.

PRINT: Lastly, the Journal of Film and Television published by the University of Illinois Press published an article crediting her work. The article is titled Dr. Ruth Westheimer: “Talking Sex as a Technology of Power”.

experience

Artists

Naomi Jacobson

Naomi Jacobson

(Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer) is excited to be in Cleveland for the first time. She’s is an affiliated artist at Shakespeare Theatre Company and a company member at Woolly Mammoth Theatre in DC, with credits at The Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, Studio Theatre, Ford’s, Signature, Folger, Round House, more(Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer) is excited to be in Cleveland for the first time. She’s is an affiliated artist at Shakespeare Theatre Company and a company member at Woolly Mammoth Theatre in DC, with credits at The Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, Studio Theatre, Ford’s, Signature, Folger, Round House, Olney, Wolf Trap and Theatre J where this production originated. Regional credits include the Guthrie Theatre, the Goodman Theatre, Milwaukee Rep, Center Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse, Indiana Rep, Arizona Theatre Company, Delaware Theatre Co, and the Berkshire Theatre Festival. She’s done a few independent films, a network TV show, and one off-Broadway play. Voice over work includes NPR, PBS, Discovery Channel, and the Smithsonian. Naomi’s received 3 Helen Hayes Awards, 15 nominations, the inaugural Lunt-Fontanne Fellowship, the Anderson-Hopkins Award for Theatre Excellence and a DC Arts Commission Individual Artist grant. She coaches professionally and teaches graduate students at the Shakespeare Theatre Academy for Classical Acting, and University of Maryland Opera Studio. More details at www.naomijacobson.com

Mark St.Germain

(Playwright) Mark St. Germain's play FREUD’S LAST SESSION ran for two years Off-Broadway, closing July 24th, 2012. The play has been open in Argentina since January 2012 and in repertory in Sweden, Australia, and Denmark. His play BECOMING DR. RUTH premiered in July 2012 at the Barrington Stage Company more(Playwright) Mark St. Germain's play FREUD’S LAST SESSION ran for two years Off-Broadway, closing July 24th, 2012. The play has been open in Argentina since January 2012 and in repertory in Sweden, Australia, and Denmark. His play BECOMING DR. RUTH premiered in July 2012 at the Barrington Stage Company in the Berkshires, played at Hartford Theaterworks, and was brought to NYC to the Westside Theatre. SCOTT AND HEM IN THE GARDEN OF ALLAH co-premiered in the summer of 2013 at the Contemporary American Theater Festival and Barrington Stage Company. His play THE BEST OF ENEMIES, first produced by the Barrington Stage Company, is now being produced throughout the country. THE FABULOUS LIPITONES, a musical comedy co-written with John Markus, premiered at the Theatrical Outfit in Atlanta in summer, 2013, and then at Goodspeed Playhouse. Mark’s other plays include CAMPING WITH HENRY AND TOM (Lucille Lortel and Outer Critics Circle Awards), EARS ON A BEATLE, THE GOD COMMITTEE, OUT OF GAS ON LOVER’S LEAP, and DANCING LESSONS (premiered at the Barrington Stage Festival). Mark wrote the Tammy Wynette Musical STAND BY YOUR MAN, which began at the Ryman Theater in Nashville. With composer Charles Strouse he co-wrote the book for his adaption of Dreiser’s AMERICAN TRAGEDY. With composer Randy Courts Mark has written the perennial musical THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI as well as JOHNNY PYE AND THE FOOLKILLER (AT&T Award Grant) and JACK’S HOLIDAY (Playwrights Horizons). Television work includes Writer/Creative Consultant for "The Cosby Show" and Dick Wolf’s "Crime and Punishment." He co-wrote director Carroll Ballard’s film "Duma" and produced and directed the documentary "My Dog, An Unconditional Love Story," with Richard Gere, Glenn Close, Edward Albee and others. Mark also wrote the award winning children’s book “Three Cups." Mark is an Associate Artist of the Barrington Stage Company, a recipient of the William Inge Festival’s New Voices Award, and a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Writer’s Guild East. He is an alumnus of New Dramatists.

Holly Twyford

(Director) is a Washington, DC-based director and actor and is thrilled to be at Cleveland Play House for the first time. She is excited to once again be collaborating with her amazing Dr. Ruth team. Ms. Twyford’s Washington area directing credits include, most recently, Gloria: A Life by Emily more(Director) is a Washington, DC-based director and actor and is thrilled to be at Cleveland Play House for the first time. She is excited to once again be collaborating with her amazing Dr. Ruth team. Ms. Twyford’s Washington area directing credits include, most recently, Gloria: A Life by Emily Mann at Theater J as well as The Upstairs Department, a new play by Chelsea Marcantel at Signature Theatre, where she previously directed Escaped Alone; Stop Kiss with No Rules Theatre Company; A Lump of Coal for Christmas at Adventure Theatre MTC; Edgar and Annabel and Mary Kate Olsen is in Love at Studio Theatre; The Amish Project with Factory 449 for which she received a Helen Hayes Award nomination. Ms. Twyford directed a Zoom production of Steel Magnolias for Ford’s Theatre as well as an audio version of Romeo and Juliet with the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Academy for Classical Acting. As an actor, she has performed in more than 80 productions in many of the highly acclaimed theatres in and around the DC metropolitan area as well as nationally, most recently playing the Stage Manager in Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Our Town.

Paige Hathaway

(Scenic Designer) is a freelance scenic designer based in the Washington, DC area. Previously at CPH, Paige designed The Three Musketeers. In the DC area, Paige has recently designed On the Far End and Jennifer Who is Leaving at Round House Theatre; The High Ground at Arena Stage, more(Scenic Designer) is a freelance scenic designer based in the Washington, DC area. Previously at CPH, Paige designed The Three Musketeers. In the DC area, Paige has recently designed On the Far End and Jennifer Who is Leaving at Round House Theatre; The High Ground at Arena Stage, No Place to Go at Signature Theatre, Dance Nation at Olney Theatre Center, Gloria: A Life at Theater J, Bars and Measures at Mosaic Theatre, and Ken Ludwig's Baskerville at Everyman Theatre. Regionally, Paige has recently designed Much Ado About Nothing at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Mary Poppins at The Muny in St. Louis, and Fireflies at Salt Lake City's Pioneer Theatre. Paige received her MFA in Scenic Design from the University of Maryland and her BFA in Scenic Design from the University of Oklahoma. She is a proud member of USA 829. Instagram: @paigehathawaydesign Website: www.paigehathawaydesign.com

Colin K. Bills

(Lighting Designer) (he/him/his) is thrilled to make his CPH debut. A Washington, DC based theater artist, he is a Company Member and Board Member at Woolly Mammoth where he has designed over 50 productions including Ain’t No Mo’, Gloria, An Octoroon, Black Side of the Moon, Stupid Fucking more(Lighting Designer) (he/him/his) is thrilled to make his CPH debut. A Washington, DC based theater artist, he is a Company Member and Board Member at Woolly Mammoth where he has designed over 50 productions including Ain’t No Mo’, Gloria, An Octoroon, Black Side of the Moon, Stupid Fucking Bird, The Convert, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Oedipus el Rey, Clybourne Park, and Dead Man’s Cell Phone. As a Conspirator with the devised theater company dog & pony dc, he co-wrote, directed and co-designed A Killing Game (seen at the Cleveland Public in 2014). His designs have been seen nationally at Arena Stage, Asolo Rep, The Berkshire Theater Festival, CENTERSTAGE, Chicago’s Second City, Contemporary American Theater Festival, Court Theater, Dallas Theater Center, Everyman Theatre, 59E59, Folger Theatre, Ford’s Theatre, Forum Theatre, Imagination Stage, Intiman Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Marin Theatre Company, Metro Stage, Opera Lafayette, Opéra Royal Versailles, Pasadena Playhouse, Portland Center Stage, Round House Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, The Smithsonian, Signature Theatre, St. Louis Rep, Studio Theatre, Synetic Theatre, Syracuse Stage, Theater J, The Washington Revels, The Wilma Theater, Williamstown Theatre Festival. He has won three Helen Hayes Awards and is a recipient of a Princess Grace Fellowship in Theater. He has taught design at Howard University and is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

Kenny Neal

(Sound Designer) is a Helen Hayes Award recipient (The Royale at Olney Theatre Center/1st Stage) and seven-time nominated sound designer, composer and arranger. DC AREA: Studio Theatre (English, Straight White Men, Jumpers for Goalposts, Choir Boy); Olney Theatre Center (A Nice Indian Boy, Dance Nation, The Royale, Oil); The more(Sound Designer) is a Helen Hayes Award recipient (The Royale at Olney Theatre Center/1st Stage) and seven-time nominated sound designer, composer and arranger. DC AREA: Studio Theatre (English, Straight White Men, Jumpers for Goalposts, Choir Boy); Olney Theatre Center (A Nice Indian Boy, Dance Nation, The Royale, Oil); The Kennedy Center (She a Gem, Digging Up Dessa); Signature Theatre (The Upstairs Department, Daphne’s Dive, Easy Women Smoking Loose Cigarettes, Heisenberg, John, The Gulf); Prologue Theatre (Recent Tragic Events); Constellation Theatre Company (The Master and Margarita); Theater Alliance (Klytemnestra); 1st Stage (The Last Match, Airness, columbinus, Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train, Well, Floyd Collins, Old Wicked Songs, Bat Boy); Factory 449 (Agnes of God); Taffety Punk (Pramkicker, Mom Baby God); as well as production for NextStop Theatre, WSC Avant Bard, The Welders, Rorschach Theatre, Imagination Stage, and Adventure Theatre MTC. EDUCATION: BA in Music History & Composition from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Sarah Tundermann

(Projection Designer) is excited about her debut at Cleveland Playhouse. She designed projections for two previous productions of Becoming Dr. Ruth at Theatre J. Recent regional projection design credits include the 2022-2023 season of Maryland Lyric Opera; Tomas and the Library Lady, And in this Corner: Cassius Clay, more(Projection Designer) is excited about her debut at Cleveland Playhouse. She designed projections for two previous productions of Becoming Dr. Ruth at Theatre J. Recent regional projection design credits include the 2022-2023 season of Maryland Lyric Opera; Tomas and the Library Lady, And in this Corner: Cassius Clay, School House Rock Live, and Snowy Day (Children's Theatre of Charlotte); Corduroy, and Escape from Peligro Island (Imagination Stage); She the People (Second City at Woolly Mammoth); Watsons go to Birmingham (Kennedy Center); E2, All She Must Possess, The Other Place (Rep Stage); Queens Girl in the World, Queens Girl in Africa (Everyman Theatre); Paper Dolls, Queens Girl in Africa (Mosaic Theatre Company); Sarah holds an MFA in lighting design from the University of Maryland and she resides in Baltimore. www.sarahtundermann.com

Pamela Salling

(Stage Manager) (she/her) is a stage manager for theater, opera, music, and dance. Recent productions include Music to Accompany a Departure for the L.A. Master Chorale which premiered at Walt Disney Concert Hall and will open the Salzburg Festival this summer, and the Wayne Shorter & esperanza spaulding opera more(Stage Manager) (she/her) is a stage manager for theater, opera, music, and dance. Recent productions include Music to Accompany a Departure for the L.A. Master Chorale which premiered at Walt Disney Concert Hall and will open the Salzburg Festival this summer, and the Wayne Shorter & esperanza spaulding opera …(Iphigenia) which toured to MASS MoCA, ArtsEmerson, CalPerformances, The Broad, and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Other select credits include The Apple Family Plays: Scenes from Life in the Country, Othello, Into the Woods, The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs, Knickerbocker, and Neighbors (The Public Theater); Blood Knot (Signature Theatre Company); A Family for All Occasions, Thinner Than Water, and Massacre (Sing to Your Children) (Labyrinth Theater Company); Hamlet and Love’s Labor’s Lost (The Old Globe); How to Be a Rock Critic (ArtsEmerson); Petrol Station (Kennedy Center); and extensive work with director Peter Sellars.

Kitty Wen

(Assistant Stage Manager) is grateful to be return with Cleveland Play House. CPH credits included Teddy Bear Mountain(SM), The Great Leap(ASM)and Becoming Dr. Ruth(ASM), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein(PA). Previous stage management credits include Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Cain Park, Karamu House, Cleveland Public Theatre, Ohio City Theatre Project, Baldwin Wallace, Independence more(Assistant Stage Manager) is grateful to be return with Cleveland Play House. CPH credits included Teddy Bear Mountain(SM), The Great Leap(ASM)and Becoming Dr. Ruth(ASM), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein(PA). Previous stage management credits include Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Cain Park, Karamu House, Cleveland Public Theatre, Ohio City Theatre Project, Baldwin Wallace, Independence Theatre, and Cassidy Theatre, among others. She previously completed her Disney College Program and Dobama Theatre Internship and graduated with a BA from Baldwin Wallace University.

Theater J

() is a nationally renowned, professional theater in Washington, DC that celebrates, explores, and struggles with the complexities and nuances of both the Jewish experience and the universal human condition. Theater J’s work illuminates and examines ethical questions of our time, inter-cultural experiences that parallel our own, and the more() is a nationally renowned, professional theater in Washington, DC that celebrates, explores, and struggles with the complexities and nuances of both the Jewish experience and the universal human condition. Theater J’s work illuminates and examines ethical questions of our time, inter-cultural experiences that parallel our own, and the changing landscape of Jewish identities. As the nation’s largest and most prominent Jewish theater, Theater J aims to preserve and expand a rich Jewish theatrical tradition and to create community and commonality through theater-going experiences. Proudly a program of the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center, Theater J is led by Artistic Director Hayley Finn and Managing Director David Lloyd Olson.

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Our Theatres

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The Allen, Helen and Outcalt theatres are located at Playhouse Square
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