Becoming Dr Ruth at Westside Theatre



Debra Jo Rupp ("That 70's show," "Better with You") will star as 'Dr Ruth' in Mark St. Germain's comedy Becoming Dr. Ruth, directed by Julianne Boyd, opening at the Westside Theatre Upstairs on 29 Oct 2013, following previews from 11 Oct 2013, and playing through to 12 Jan 2014.

The production arrives Off-Broadway following its world premiere at Barrington Stage Company in 2012 and a sold out run at TheaterWorks, Hartford, earlier this year.

Everyone knows Dr. Ruth Westheimer from her career as a pioneering radio and television sex therapist. Few, however, know the journey that preceded it. From fleeing the Nazis in the Kindertransport and joining the Haganah in Jerusalem as a scout and sniper, to her struggles to succeed as a single mother coming to America, Becoming Dr. Ruth tells the stroy of Karola Ruth Siegel, the girl who became "Dr. Ruth", America's most famous sex therapist.

The design team includes Brian Prather (Sets), Jen Moeller (Costumes), Scott Pinkney (Lights), and Jessica Paz (Sound).

Becoming Dr. Ruth is produced Off-Broadway by Michael Alden, Stefany Bergson and Rodger Hess.

Debra Jo Rupp (Dr. Ruth) previously appeared on Broadway with Kathleen Turner and Charles Durning in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.' She starred off-Broadway in Cynthia Heimel's 'A Girl's Guide to Chaos' (American Place), 'Frankie and Johnnie in the Clair de Lune' (Westside Arts) and 'The Butcher of Baraboo' (Second Stage) directed by Judith Ivey. Rupp has made over 300 television appearances and is probably best known for her role as the high-strung mom "Kitty Forman" in the long- running FOX comedy series "That 70's Show." In addition to "That 70's Show," Debra Jo was a series regular on the ABC comedy, "Better With You," "The Office" with Valerie Harper, "The Jeff Foxworthy Show" and "If Not for You" with Elizabeth McGovern and Hank Azaria.

Mark St. Germain is the playwright of 'The Best of Enemies' and 'Freud's Last Session.'

Julianne Boyd (Director) founded and is the Artistic Director of the Barrington Stage Company. She previously directed Becoming Dr. Ruth, under the title of 'Dr. Ruth, All the Way' at Barrington Stage in 2012.

Debra Jo Rupp as Dr Ruth

Originally published on

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