About love, deception, and betrayal, Ether Dome tells the story of the discovery of anesthesia and focuses on the relationship between two of the greatest medical innovators in Western history, Horace Wells and his student, William Morton. Highlighting the inherent contradiction of profiting from people’s illnesses, Ether Dome challenges our understanding of God, pain, and what it means to be truly human.

Elizabeth Egloff’s plays The Swan, The Devils, Phaedra, and Wolf-Man have been given productions at major theatres across the United States and abroad and garnered her a wide array of prestigious awards and grants including The Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Foundation Writer’s Award, The Weissberger Prize and The Kesselring Prize. Among her numerous screen credits is the award-winning series The Reagans, Emmy nominated for Best Screenplay.

Michael Wilson returns to the Alley to direct Ether Dome. His Alley productions have included A Christmas Carol, Angels in America, A Streetcar Named Desire, and many more. He was the Artistic Director of Hartford Stage in Connecticut for 13 seasons, and his New York productions include Dividing the Estate, The Orphans’ Home Cycle, The Milk Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore, Enchanted April and Necessary Targets.

“indisputably terrific … ambitious … fascinating story … winning cast.”
Houston Chronicle, September 15, 2011

"The production is luscious."
Houston Press Art Attack blog, September 15, 2011

Listen to Michael Wilson discuss Ether Dome on KUHF’s "The Front Row"

Interview with Director Michael Wilson, who returns to the Alley to stage first two shows of 11-12 season.

Alley premiere dramatizes conquest of pain
Chron.com, September 8, 2011

Alley's Ether Dome carries extra, sobering punch in the shadow of the Texas Medical Center
Culturemap.com, September 10, 2011

Ether Dome Sponsors:
Supporting Sponsor: Memorial Hermann
Associate Producers: Cathy and Jesse Marion