Sex, Secrets, and Equality: Sandy Rustin’s The Cottage Has a Sharp, Funny Feminist Edge

Alleyway Theatre is opening its fall season with Sandy Rustin’s The Cottage, running September 15–27. Fresh off its recent Broadway run, this play is described as a “brand new old-fashioned British farce.” Set in a lavish English country estate in 1923, The Cottage is a wildly entertaining and outrageously funny romantic comedy where secrets fly, alliances shift, and passions ignite. With sharp wit, unexpected twists—including a potentially murderous plot—and a dazzling mix of sex, betrayal, and laughter, the show promises to keep audiences gasping and giggling right up to the final curtain.

For Rustin, the inspiration for The Cottage reaches back to her college years, when she first encountered the world of Noël Coward.

“When I was in college, I did a Noël Coward production of Hay Fever, where I played Sorel. I loved it—I had the most fun. The designer had this vision of champagne and cigarettes, so the whole set felt bubbly and heightened. I thought it was so cool…So when my musical Rated P for Parenthood closed in New York and I was ready to write my next play, I thought back to my time with Hay Fever. I dug deep into Noël Coward’s body of work because I wanted to know everything about his plays. I loved Hay Fever—the rhythm, the style, all of it. But I didn’t love how the women were often portrayed. In many of his plays, they’re in service to the male character’s story.”

Rustin’s deep dive into Coward’s work sparked the idea for something new—a play rooted in the world of his comedies, but with a fresh twist.

I wondered: what would happen if I tried to create a play in the style of Noël Coward, but with women at the center? A story about and for women. That’s what I set out to do.”

The play spent nearly a decade in development before making its Broadway debut, and Rustin credits its success to the time invested in letting the work evolve. “It’s been a deliciously long developmental process, one where I’ve been able to learn so much and take in wisdom from all kinds of smart, wonderful, talented people—as well as from the world around me. I was always paying attention to what was happening, what was becoming important to me, and thinking: if I was going to be given a platform, what did I want to say, and how could I say it in my own comedic style? That ‘spoonful of sugar’ kind of vibe,” said Rustin, adding, “It was definitely a journey to find that balance. Even when we began rehearsals for the Broadway show, I still had a lot of question marks—can you pull off the heightened comedy and still earn those moments that ring true and make audiences think? There were a lot of changes and tweaks throughout that process.”

This long road of development resonates deeply with Alleyway Theatre’s own mission. As Buffalo’s home for new plays, Alleyway is dedicated to supporting living playwrights and championing bold, original voices. Presenting The Cottage not only gives audiences the chance to see a Broadway hit on a local stage, but also underscores the importance of nurturing new work—reminding us why investment in contemporary playwriting matters to the future of theater.

Ultimately, Rustin hopes audiences enjoy the ride but also walk away reflecting on something deeper. They buy a ticket expecting a sexy summer comedy – and they get that – but they also walk out thinking, ‘Oh, right, there was a message there I want to reflect on and talk about.’  adding,

The show brings up conversations about marriage, fidelity, gender equality—all of those underlying principles. My hope is that people leave thinking about those things, but with a smile on their face because they also had a fun night.”

Playing at Alleyway Theatre through September 27, The Cottage invites Buffalo audiences to enjoy a sharp, laugh-out-loud comedy brimming with quick wit and outrageous fun—delivered with a fresh, contemporary twist.  Tickets are available here.  

Please note: the author of this piece, Daniel Lendzian, is in the cast of The Cottage.

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