By Philip Doyle
I am in a
constant state of gratitude to the community of producers, directors, actors,
and crews, who work tirelessly to provide live theatre. The good people of the Denver metro area
should thank their lucky stars for companies like The Edge Theatre.
What happens when three domesticated
married couples surrender to their wild sexual desires? It’s
Just Sex is a fun and thought provoking exploration of trust, lust, and
fidelity.
Some friends gather for an
evening of drinks and social small talk.
What begins as a party game of “tell the truth” becomes a swinging
husband and wife swap. The ensuing uninhibited
sexual romp is cleverly staged and extremely funny to witness.
The post coitus action
grapples with some pretty deep questions.
What constitutes cheating? What
is trust? But not to worry, It’s Just Sex doesn’t get too bogged down
with the issues that pop up when the sex stops. This play is more fun than serious. The
sex is more playful than raw and raunchy.
And what could be an evening of couple therapy is an enjoyable, seductive
game of wit and reckoning. Seeing these
characters bargain to discover their goal is a good time.
The three couples come to
the party harboring personal resentments and neuroses that can challenge their marriage. Phil (Scott Bellot) has taken drastic
measures to rekindle the sexual spark with his wife Joan (Patty Ionoff).
Lisa (Kirsten Deane) is
frustrated by her husband’s failure to man-up.
Her husband Greg’s (James O’Hagan Murphy) assertiveness is crumbling
under Lisa’s critical nitpicking. I
threw some extra applause to Kirsten Deane for her confident and well
articulated performance.
Kelly (Smara Bridwell) has
been keeping a secret from her constantly horny husband Carl (Brock Benson). Benson has become one of my favorite Denver
actors. He embodies his characters with
sincerity and an appreciation that is a joy to watch.
In what could be a thankless
albeit brief role, I acknowledge Rebekah Shibao for bringing some class and
beauty as a hooker.
It’s Just Sex begins with three short scenes that had me surprised and a bit
perplexed. It was as though the show was
rewound ten minutes before the real action started. Part of me felt grateful to witness what
occurs before the party starts. The
other part of me felt a bit robbed, like I had been prematurely clued in. All is forgiven as the party starts, when the
quick episodic pace that started the play, shifts to a more comfortable
momentum.
Almost all of the action
takes place with six actors in one room.
Thanks to director Bill Smith, for his ability to keep the staging fresh
and focused throughout.
Playwright Jeff Gould has
constructed a play that is much more than its eye-catching title. It’s
Just Sex is a swinging party where the guests share drinks, laughs, and
themselves.
The
Regional Premiere of It’s Just Sex
by Jeff Gould
Presented
by The Edge Theatre
9797 W.
Colfax Ave, Lakewood, CO 80215
Runs June
29 – July 22
For tickets
and more information visit
www.theedgetheatre.com or call
303-232-0363
