The Marriage Bed to play off-Broadway

The Marriage Bed, Nona Shepphard's London play about two women in love, will open in its American premiere October 12 at the Sanford Meisner Theater in Manhattan, reports Playbill.com

The play is a love story about Jennifer Shahar (Jeni) and Valerie Glenys Carr (Val), who have been living together for seven happy years when the United Kingdom passes a parliamentary bill legalizing same-sex civil unions, guaranteeing equal treatment under the law. With the disappearance of legal interference and the removal of all social obstacles, Val and Jeni must now face the monumental decision as to whether they should marry. Their decision is complicated by Jeni, an Israeli divorcee and corporate attorney, being firmly in the closet. Val is a London Underground station manager and former 1960s activist.

Previews for the off-Broadway run begin October 6, and performances play through November 19. The cast features the playwright (who also directs the production) and Tali Friedman (who is the producer). The Marriage Bed originally opened at London's Drill Hall on May 26. (The Advocate)