Mom Theatre Blogger: Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man: Review by Robin Gorman Newman

Dan, the author of an international best-selling sex tips book, takes center stage to be interviewed by Robyn, a pretty, but awkward student, when he takes the bull (and more) by the horns, and leads an active demonstration and chat with the audience. He’s there to dispense advice to attendees, but it becomes much more, with the help of a studly assistant (Stefan — a “scientist” with the body of a stripper), as he takes on Robyn as his personal subject.  His goal is to make her comfortable with her own sexuality and to help unleash the tigress inside and become a man magnet.  He’d love to see this happen for all the women — and men — in the audience.  Think Dr. Ruth meets Queer Eye for the Straight Guy (the popular tv show).

Dan Anderson and Maggie Berman are the authors of Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man on which the play is based.  First published in 1997 — the book instantly became a national best-seller. 

This show is so full of laughs.  It’s the perfect girls (or moms) night out.  It’s such a hoot, you don’t even need a drink to loosen up.

The cast doesn’t miss a comical beat.  Grant MacDermott is not only an engaging host, but super quick on his feet and gifted at improv.  He interacts really well with the audience, and plays along effortlessly.  He excels at non-scripted material.

Sam Tedaldi as Robyn is adorable and the perfect subject for Dan.

Mat Leonard as Stefan is buff eye candy, and when he strips down to a G-string, the audience gets it’s thrill of beefcake.

The show is highly interactive, with game folks being hand-picked by Dan and brought up stage.  One particularly riotous act is when they are instructed on how to deliver a sexy hand job, and the audience, too, is encouraged to practice the technique using their show programs.

Sure there are sight gags, as one would expect, but this show, rather than focus on raunch, is playful and sassy, without being obscene or offensive.  

The night that I was there, we had a cool celebrity citing — Lance Bass of N’Sync — who clearly enjoyed the show himself.

Matt Murphy (Playwright) most recently produced the Tony Award-winning musical Memphis on Broadway; with other recent productions including Thurgood, starring Laurence Fishburne; Impressionism, starring Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons; and the Off-Broadway hit Altar Boyz. Matt is also currently producing New York’s latest hit family musical The Berenstain Bears LIVE!, now in its third year Off-Broadway, and Virtually Me!, which was recently profiled on Fox News and My9 News for its efforts to educate students about the increasingly challenging issue of cyber-bullying. www.MattMurphyProductions.com.

Tim Drucker (Director). Credits as a director include the Off-Broadway productions of Spidermusical (Mint Theater), Stinkykids! (Vital Theater, Off-B’way Alliance Award – Best Family Musical), as well as The Brain that Wouldn’t Die! (NYMF), and Grace McLean Lives in Concert (Ars Nova). As writer, the books to the musicals (with Randy Blair) Fat Camp (Off-B’way, NYMF 2009 Best of Fest), Perez Hilton Saves the Universe (Fringe Best Musical 2008) and Spidermusical. Other work includes Haute Mess (Ars Nova, The Other Baldwins) and Ruff (#serials at the Flea). BFA: NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Presented by Matt Murphy, Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man has scenic design by Luke Cantarella, costume design by Tilly Grimes, lighting design by Brian Tovar, and video and sound design by Randy Blair. Renee Lynette DeMaio is the Production Stage Manager. The company manager is Matt Franzetti. Casting is by Geoff Josselson Casting.

Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man has a running time of 80 minutes (performed without an intermission).

For more information, visit SexTipsPlay.com.

Tags: lance bass, mom theatre blogger, sex tips off broadway