BECOMING DR. RUTH Begins Previews Tonight at Westside Theatre

The New York premiere of Becoming Dr. Ruth, a warmhearted, candid and inspiring comedy starring Debra Jo Rupp, ("That 70's Show") written by Mark St. Germain and directed by Julianne Boyd begins previews tonight, Friday, October 11 at 8:00PM.

Following the world premiere at Barrington Stage Company and a sold out run at TheaterWorks, Hartford, the play will officially open off-Broadway on Tuesday, October 29th at The Westside Theatre, Upstairs (407 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036).

This is a limited engagement production through January 12th, 2014.

Everyone knows Dr. Ruth Westheimer from her career as a pioneering radio and television sex therapist. Few, however, 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, Becoming Dr. Ruth is filled with the humor, honesty and life-affirming spirit of Karola Ruth Siegel, the girl who became "Dr. Ruth", America's most famous sex therapist.

The design team includes Brian Prather (Sets), Jen Moeller (Costumes), Scott Pinkney (Lights), and Jessica Paz (Sound).

Debra Jo Rupp has appeared on Broadway with Kathleen Turner and Charles Durning in 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 numerous television and film appearances and is probably best known for her role as Kitty Forman on the hit series That 70's Show.

Mark St. Germain is the acclaimed playwright of The Best of Enemies and Freud's Last Session.

Julianne Boyd founded and is the Artistic Director of the Barrington Stage Company.

She previously directed Becoming Dr. Ruth under the title of Dr. Ruth, All the Way at Barrington Stage in 2012.

Producers for Becoming Dr. Ruth are Michael Alden (The Kings Speech, Grey Gardens, Bridge and Tunnel), Stefany Bergson (Spring Awakening, Rock of Ages, Chita Rivera: A Dancer's Life, The People in the Picture) and Rodger Hess (House of Blue Leaves, Macbeth, All My Sons, Enron).

Tickets are available by calling 212-239-6200, TeleCharge online and at The Westside Theatre box office (407 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036). Box office hours are 12PM-6PM daily.