Debra Jo Rupp to Star in BSC's DR. RUTH, ALL THE WAY, 9/19 - 10/7

Following a sold-out run of 36 performances from June 19 through July 21, where over 4000 patrons attended the world premiere of Dr. Ruth, All the Way, Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning regional theatre in downtown Pittsfield, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and TriStan Wilson, Managing Director, is proud to present a fall return of Dr. Ruth, ALL THE WAY, by Mark St. Germain, directed by Julianne Boyd. Starring stage, film and television actress Debra Jo Rupp (That 70s Show), Dr. Ruth, All the Way will run from September 19 – October 7 at St. Germain Stage (formerly Stage 2) at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield.

“We are thrilled that our audiences have embraced Dr. Ruth, All the Way and look forward to sharing Dr. Ruth’s life story and Debra Jo Rupp’s amazing performances with many more people this fall,” said Artistic Director Julianne Boyd.

Dr. Ruth, All the Way is the first commission of Barrington Stage’s New Works Initiative. This commission is courtesy of Sydelle and Lee Blatt & Rosita Sarnoff and Beth Sapery.

Everyone knows the pioneering radio and television sex therapist Dr. Ruth but few know the incredible 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, Dr. Ruth, All the Way is filled with the humor, honesty and life-affirming spirit of Karola Ruth Siegel, the girl who became “Dr. Ruth,” the internationally known radio and TV "sepxert."

The design team includes Brian Prather (sets/projections), Scott Pinkney (lights), Jennifer Moeller (costumes), Gabriella Pollino-Rodman (wigs) and Jessica Paz (sound). Kate J. Cudworth is production stage manager.

Debra Jo Rupp (Dr. Ruth) BSC: Ring ‘Round the Moon, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Laramie Project. Debra Jo Rupp has performed at Williamstown Theatre Festival in True West and A Flea in Her Ear, Berkshire Theatre Festival in Mornings at Seven and the Chester Theatre Company production of Lee Blessings’ Body of Water. In New York, Debra Jo has appeared on Broadway with Kathleen Turner and Charles Durning in the 1990 revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. She starred Off-Broadway in Cynthia Heimel’s A Girl’s Guide to Chaos (American Place), Frankie and Johnny in The Clair de Lune(Westside Arts) and The Butcher of Baraboo (Second Stage). Debra Jo has made over 300 television and film appearances and is probably best known for her role as “Kitty Forman” on the hit series “That 70’s Show”. Her feature films include playing Jay Baruchel’s mom in She’s Out of My League, Kickin It Old Skool, Air Buddies, Clockwatchers with Toni Collette and Parker Posey, Spymate, Lucky 13, Sgt. Bilko with Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd, and her first film Big with Tom Hanks. Among her notable television appearances are booking agent “Katie” on “Seinfeld”, Phoebe’s sister-in-law on “Friends” and “From the Earth to the Moon” (dir. Sally Field).