Eugene Weekly Review
Strong direction, acting gives glow to The Ruby Sunrise

"Director McVay both focuses and softens the imperfect script, eking out an important story that is well worth seeing."

Register-Guard Review
Very Little Theatre shines in offbeat ‘Ruby Sunrise’

“...an evening of interesting, entertaining and sometimes moving theater awaits theater­goers at The Very Little Theatre...”

Who was the real inventor of television? What if it had been Ruby, a poor, self-educated girl who in 1927, struggles to turn her dream of the first all-electrical television system into a reality?

Fast forward to 1952 and a television studio in the grip of the McCarthy-era's censorship and communist witch hunts. A talented writer looking for a new idea for a television play meets Ruby’s daughter, Lulu, whose own ambition is to tell her mother's story — whatever it takes.  A dramatic tale of ambition and dreams, The Ruby Sunrise charts the course of television from early idealism and sparks of genius, to promises fulfilled and compromises brokered, and beyond.

Director Chris McVay has cast three actors in dual roles in both 1927 and 1952: Jessica Svetal as Ruby, then Elizabeth; Tanner Paul as Henry, then Paul; and Rebecca Nachison as Aunt Lois, then Ethel. Other actors who appear in the 1952 television studio scenes are Leela Gouveia as Ruby’s daughter Lulu, Chris Pinto as Martin, the course TV producer, Bruce McArthur as the young scriptwriter, and Hanna Quigg as the actress Suzie. The set design is by Michael Walker, and costumes are by Nancy Boyett.

Musical director/composer Brandon Rumsey has composed original music for this production, which will be performed live on stage by musicians Bryce Caster (violin), Anna Petrick (bass), and Nicole Portley (piano).

Reserved seat tickets are $15; Thrifty Thursday (June 2 and 9) prices are $10 and senior citizens may attend the Sunday matinees (June 29 and 5) for $10. The ten performances are Friday-Sunday, May 27-29; Thursday-Sunday, June 2-5; and Thursday-Saturday, June 9-11. Curtain is at 8 p.m. except for the 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. An Opening Night Gala with refreshments following the show is open to all who purchase tickets to the May 27performance.

"Smart and absorbing."
Star-Ledger

"With her stylish new play … Rinne Groff demonstrates both
vaulting thematic ambition and sinuous theatrical flair."
Broadway.com

Auditions

Auditions for The Ruby Sunrise have concluded. Please see our Auditions page for upcoming auditions for other VLT shows!

Show Dates

Box Office opens Friday, May 20. Phone: (541) 344-7751.
Hours: Wed. through Sat. 2:00-5:30 PM and ONE Hour before each performance (7:00 PM, or Sunday Matinees 1:00 PM).

Cast List

Production Staff