By Michele Markarian

“Becoming Dr. Ruth”, by Mark St. Germain. Directed by Stephen Nachamie. Jeffrey Petersen, Scenic Designer; Aja Jackson, Lighting Designer. Presented by New Rep Theatre, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown through May 19.

“All my life I have loved to go to the theater. Tonight, the theater comes to me!” beams Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer (Anne O’ Sullivan), as she holds her arms out to us, the audience. This transparency allows Dr. Ruth to address the audience directly, and gives her a reason to tell her surprising, sometimes sad, and often fateful story. 

Born Karola Ruth Siegel, an only child to a Jewish couple in Frankfurt, Ruth had a happy life.  Her grandmother Siegel, who lived with them, told her early on, “Always smile and be cheerful.  You are loved.” This advice the young Ruth took to heart. Throughout her travails, Ruth somehow managed to keep up her spirits and keep moving forward, under circumstances that would fell weaker, more melancholic personalities.

Read more “The Indomitable Life Force of “Becoming Dr. Ruth””