‘The Other Place’ opens at Dover Little Theatre

When Alison Devereaux talks to friends and acquaintances about “The Other Place,” the play she is directing at Dover Little Theatre, she usually gets one of two responses.

One response: “I can’t see this play.”

The other: “I can’t wait to see this play.”

Devereaux sympathizes with both reactions. On the one hand, she recognizes that “The Other Place” touches on issues — particularly medical issues — that are bound to hit home in an uncomfortable way with some audience members.

On the other hand, the story unfolds in such a compelling way that the audience is drawn into a mystery — not the standard “whodunit,” but why-is-she-doing-it. “It seems like a straightforward play. But it’s not,” says Devereaux.

“The Other Place,” written by Sharr White, will run at Dover Little Theatre weekends from tonight through Saturday, June 27.

The play starts simply enough: Juliana (played by Victoria Steele of West Caldwell) is delivering a lecture at a medical convention; it is revealed that she is a researcher who specializes in medication for dementia.

However, she becomes confused in the course of her speech. Gradually, the audience realizes that more is going on with Juliana. There are references to her strained marriage to Ian (Victor Gallo of West Caldwell), as well as an estranged daughter.

Juliana also has scenes with her doctor that hint at an illness. All the while, Juliana talks about the “other place,” a cottage on Cape Cod that her family once owned.

Without giving too much away, the audience comes to see that Juliana may not be the most reliable of narrators. “Some of what you thought was real wasn’t, and some of what you thought wasn’t real was,” says Devereaux. “There are so many levels.”

Rounding out the cast in a variety of roles are Jen O’Malley Dorr of Dover and Larry Pelham of Rockaway.

Devereaux saw “The Other Place” during its Broadway run at Manhattan Theatre Club in early 2013. “They were selling copies of the script in the lobby,” she says. “I bought one, because I know that some day I would have to direct it.”

Besides having memories of that original production, Devereaux was also able to tap a crucial resource: playwright Sharr White himself. Devereaux tagged him on Twitter and started an e-mail conversation.

“To have that kind of access is amazing,” she says. “He clarified some points for us and talked about what led to the writing of the play.”

At the same time, however, Devereaux says she and her cast now feel a certain weight. “We now feel an obligation to get this right, because we had this access,” she says.

“The Other Place” poses a number of challenges for cast and crew. Devereaux notes the character of Juliana is on stage for the entire duration of the play. “That’s a tremendous burden,” she notes.

In addition, the play runs as one uninterrupted act. “I don’t usually like to do shows without an intermission,” she says. “But I couldn’t do it here. To take you out of the show at any point would be impossible.”

Devereaux says that “The Other Place” is a play that is likely to encourage questions. For that reason, she has scheduled talk-back sessions with the cast after the two Sunday afternoon performances.

“I believe that is what theater is for,” Devereaux says. “This is a show that you want to talk about after you see it. We want to give people that chance.”

THE OTHER PLACE

WHAT: Sharr White’s play centers on Juliana, a research scientist whose live starts to unravel while she is delivering a talk at a convention. Before long, the audience realizes that Juliana may not be the most reliable of narrators. Because of strong language, the play is recommended for mature audiences only.

WHEN: Tonight through June 27, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Q&A sessions with cast and director after Sunday performances.

WHERE: Dover Little Theatre, 69 Elliott St., Dover

TICKETS: $17. Discount for groups of 10 or more.

INFORMATION: 973-328-9202 or www.doverlittletheatre.org.