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presents

Becoming Dr. Ruth

The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati presents

Becoming Dr. Ruth

By Mark St. Germain

Not Currently Playing

Rosenthal Shelterhouse

About the Show

Many of us know Dr. Ruth Westheimer as America’s favorite sex therapist in the 1980s and ‘90s. She opened our eyes to a new way of viewing ourselves and our relationships — but few of us have heard the story of this remarkable woman’s journey. In this heartwarming portrait, Dr. Ruth narrates the harrowing and fascinating details of her life from the tragic separation of her family during the Holocaust to her experiences as an Israeli sniper to her struggles with balancing work, higher education and single motherhood in America. Becoming Dr. Ruth is a humorous, affectionate and illuminating one-woman show that’s full of grit and triumph.

Visit our Health & Safety page for more on our 2021-22 plans.

Advisory

Recommended for adult and teenage audiences. This one-woman show about America’s favorite sex therapist appropriately contains discussion of healthy sex and sexuality, while also covering other mature topics. Much like Dr. Ruth, these topics are addressed with a cheerful and disarming tone.

Running Time

The show runs approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, with no intermission.

View Program

You can view the Digital Program now online. QR codes will also be around the theatre for quick access, as well as printed programs.

Digital Program

Engage

Humor and Grit

Director Stephen Nachamie shares his take on Becoming Dr. Ruth and the indomitable woman at the center of the story.

You're On The Air With Dr. Ruth

In Becoming Dr. Ruth, an illuminating one-woman show presented by The Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, Dr. Ruth narrates the harrowing details of her life, one riveting chapter at a time. Read More

Photos

GALLERY

Anne O'Sullivan in Becoming Dr. Ruth. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Anne O'Sullivan

Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer

Read Bio

Mark St. Germain

Playwright

Mark St. Germain

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, 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.

Read Bio

Stephen Nachamie

Director

Read Bio

Brian Prather

Set Designer

Read Bio

Gordon DeVinney

Costume Designer

Read Bio

Amber Whatley

Lighting Designer

Read Bio

Fabian Obispo

Sound Designer

Read Bio

Brooke Redler

Stage Manager

Read Bio

presents

About the Show

Visit our Health & Safety page for more on our 2021-22 plans.

Advisory

Recommended for adult and teenage audiences. This one-woman show about America’s favorite sex therapist appropriately contains discussion of healthy sex and sexuality, while also covering other mature topics. Much like Dr. Ruth, these topics are addressed with a cheerful and disarming tone.

Running Time

The show runs approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, with no intermission.

View Program

Engage

Humor and Grit

You're On The Air With Dr. Ruth

Photos

GALLERY

Meet the Artists

Anne O'Sullivan

Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer

Anne O'Sullivan

Mark St. Germain

Playwright

Mark St. Germain

Stephen Nachamie

Director

Stephen Nachamie

Brian Prather

Set Designer

Brian Prather

Gordon DeVinney

Costume Designer

Gordon DeVinney

Amber Whatley

Lighting Designer

Amber Whatley

Fabian Obispo

Sound Designer

Fabian Obispo

Brooke Redler

Stage Manager

Brooke Redler

Sponsors

PRODUCTION SPONSOR