The Effect

By Lucy Prebble
Directed By Alison Ruth

Featuring Christina Baldwin, Kamani Graham, Becca Claire Hart, & Greg Watanabe

March 1 - 30, 2025

When Connie and Tristan sign up for a clinical trial to test a new antidepressant, they fall for each other—hearts racing, knees buckling—hard. But are their feelings real or nothing more than a dopamine-fueled side effect?

Sealed off from the outside world, their illicit romance throws the trial off course, posing unexpected dilemmas for the supervising doctors; and as the dosage and emotional stakes increase, THE EFFECT keeps audiences guessing, asking which is more powerful—the head or the heart?

Lucy Prebble’s (Succession) razor sharp writing delves into the medicalization of depression for profit by the pharmaceutical industry.

FEATURING

FROM THE PRESS

"And as expected, Jungle Theater's production really couldn't be better, with a fantastic four-person cast and spot-on design. If you like smart, thoughtful, relevant plays, The Effect is not to be missed..." - READ MORE, Cherry and Spoon

"Director Alison Ruth’s production is well acted and compelling. She orchestrates the 90-minute one-act as a tense interplay between cold, scientific precision and the messy things of the human heart and soul." - READ MORE, Star Tribune

“A play that tackles serious or thought provoking themes, but does it with humor and an emotional story that we as an audience can connect with…It makes us think about Love, Drugs, Depression, guilt, bias, responsibility, connection, and morality. It’s also really quite funny and charming.” - READ MORE, The Stages of MN

"The Effect is a top-tier play that raises provocative questions. It is well worth your attention, especially given Alison Ruth's and Jungle Theater's penetrating production." - READ MORE, Talkin' Broadway

PAY AS YOU ARE TICKETS

PAY AS YOU ARE pricing asks those who routinely pay $45 for theater tickets to pay that amount; it is the actual fair market value of the ticket. If an audience member needs to pay less, they can choose to do so. Likewise, by selecting to pay more than the market price, you help cover the cost of someone else’s ticket and welcome more audiences to the Jungle Theater.

PAY AS YOU ARE tickets are available for $15, $25, $35, $45 (Market Value), $55, $65, $75, $85, $95

Phone: 612.822.7063
PAY AS YOU ARE tickets available October 30 at 4:30pm

PLEASE NOTE: Online ticket sales will close 2 hours prior to performance day of. Please check Jungle Theater socials or come to theater for walk-up tickets.

March 1 - 30, 2025

PREVIEWS

February 26-28 | 7:30pm

ACCESSIBILITY PERFORMANCES

Audio Description March 10
ASL March 13
Open Caption March 15

SPECIALTY NIGHTS

Understudy Performance March 14
Eva Gemlo will be playing Dr. James

Industry Mondays March 10
Monday performances added for theater/ service industry

FlexPass Preshow Reception March 13
Pre-show reception for FlexPass ticket holders and guests

40 & Under Night March 6
A more approachable performance welcoming younger audiences to come be together in our theater space, includes special pre-show reception for 40 & Under FlexPass

Jungle BASH Night March 21
NEW! Jungle BASH Nights are special expansive experiences that keep the party going with THE EFFECT themed drinks and food while benefiting the Jungle. Learn more/purchase tickets.

Post-show Talkbacks Sundays
Sunday Post-show Talkbacks will feature local physician-actors and storytellers who are associated with the Center for the Art of Medicine at University of Minnesota Medical School.

———————————

RUN TIME
90 minutes | No intermission

CONTENT WARNINGS
Adult language and themes. Flashing lights. Some scenes include sexual content, smoking, physical aggression, depictions of seizures, and references to depression, anxiety, and suicide.

Concerns about COVID-19 are top of mind for everyone, and when joining the Jungle for a performance, we want you to feel confident in your time with us. As protocols to protect against COVID-19 continue to evolve, the Jungle Theater is committed to caring for our people – that includes our artists, our audiences, and our staff.

For our 2024/25 Season, masks for audience members are optional but strongly recommended. Additionally, masks will be required for all Wednesday 7:30pm performances. Please note that this policy is subject to change.

Please click here to learn more about our response to the coronavirus.