Off-Broadway’s Westside Theater may have lost one Jewish-themed play when “Old Jews Telling Jokes” closed in September, but they’re gaining another October 29, when Mark St. Germain’s “Becoming Dr. Ruth” moves in. Debra Jo Rupp, best known for playing the mom on “That 70’s Show”, stars in the solo turn about the life of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the lovable and world-famous sex therapist.
Fans of the real Dr. Ruth will be happy to know that not only is she alive and well, but she'll be hosting talkbacks after the Wednesday night performances on Oct. 30, Nov. 6, Nov. 13, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18. Free to ticketholders, the sessions will include a Q&A with audience members.
“Becoming Dr. Ruth”, running through Jan. 12, follows the radio/TV host’s life including a childhood escaping the Nazis, early adult years in the Israeli army, and then her rise from being a single mom in a new country to finding her niche as “Dr. Ruth”. The show is directed by Julianne Boyd, artistic director of Massachusetts’ Barrington Stage Company, where “Becoming Dr. Ruth” had its premiere as “Dr. Ruth All the Way” in 2012.
Author St. Germain is best known for penning "Camping with Henry and Tom" but also wrote the recently long-running "Freud's Last Session" off-Broadway.
