Mediocre Heterosexual Sex

There was nothing mediocre about this show. The title alone says it won’t be like other shows. Or if it is, it’ll be about the intricate parts of other shows that subtly tell us the march step of human emotion is just psychology. That march step throughout history, In my humble opinion, moves to the best of three things: power, greed, and sex. This show speaks on the subject matter of human sex, yet also paints a portrait of the other two throughout. The play perfectly encapsulated the human experience from the conception of feelings between two strangers, to the moment consent becomes desire to the afterglow of human refrain in our wants and desires.

The acting was incredible. The choice to freeze in an intimate moment, and have the character, Erin ( Portrayed by Stephanie Warnick), talk to us about all the different things going through her head when it comes to this one night stand was brilliant. The details in the feelings from this character, and the way she conjured up the feelings of her audience is a gift of expression.

I loved how each character had their own ideals and desires about sex, and the many ways that one could partake in its actions. Stephanie Warnick (Erin) initially uses it as a way to punish herself, Blaise Mercedes (Violet) using it as a way to take back her control, to Katie Gaisser (Hannah) being the more timid and wanting the intimacy of sex more than anything.

Stephanie and Ben should consider themselves champions of their story in this regard as each could make me relate to their respective sex and the experiences that come willingly and are forced upon each. Blaise Mercedes, Sean Patrick Ryan, and Katie Gaisser should all be proud for having a three way conversation on wants, desires, consent and where both love and hate fit into intimacy.

All of the actors championed their art and their story in this piece. On that same note, the direction of Mia Lamarco, as well as the intimacy direction of Nicolette Navarro, must be congratulated. The delicacy of putting on a show with this much raw human emotion and vulnerability, not only in the lack of clothes, but also in the words, must’ve been quite the challenge to tackle. I say this with utmost confidence, because this show that this team put together was a true human experience.

The technical aspects of the show were relatively basic, but for a story that is driven like this one by the actors, less is definitely more. The more subtle light patterns and sounds complimented the artists, and helped guide the audience to be more aware at what exactly they should be looking for. Roy Walker, (Sound | Lighting Director), you have won over this humble artist should be thanked for what can be a forgotten job.

I found the set also quite interesting, from the design of Gina Boccolucci. The tangled web of strings was a very intriguing choice, highlighting the connections that we are all faced with… or perhaps showing how we are all trapped in our own web of insecurities, especially when it comes to talking about sex? Either way, I would personally be very interested in seeing the conceptual design of the set.

Sometimes it's hard to remember that up until very recently that talking about sex, attraction, consent, and sexual preferences were considered taboo… and in some places, still are.

Navigating those stigmas in this show was very well done. This show was amazing and needed to be talked about. I look forward to seeing what other stories that BUA will produce, and will happily promote shows like these that rarely get told, but deserve to be in every way, shape, and form.