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45
WS
WITH
STRANGERS
Portland Center Stage flirts with mature themes
BY ANDREW KOCZIAN
“ Sex with Strangers” is raising some
eyebrows.
A lth o u g h m ost o f the Portland
Center Stage productions are geared
towards the high school age .range,
this month seems to be another story.
A slightly more adult story.
Set in m odern tim es, th is play
written by Laura Eason and directed
by Brandon W oolley, h ig h lig h ts
the generational changes in hum an
interactions as technology continues
to barricade people from face to face
com munication.
W ith o n ly two acto rs in th e
p e rfo rm a n c e , Easo n h ig h lig h ts
her them e through polar opposite
c h a r a c te r s w ho q u ic k ly fin d
them selves intim ately attracted.
The play follows characters Olivia
(played by Danielle Slavick) and Ethan
(played by C hristopher M . Sm ith)
as they are forced to share a cabin
together for a w eekend. A lth ou gh S m ith ’ s tu sh and S la v ic ’ s side
both are published authors, Ethan is boob. This play is not your typical
a young, successful douchebag, while “ Nutcracker.”
W ith th e e x tr e m e , a lm o s t
O livia is an agin g, self-co n scio u s
author afraid of another bad review. uncomfortably vulgar dialogue, the
Eason uses this dynamic relationship con stant sex and Sm ith parading
betw een Olivia and Ethan to build around in his underwear for h a lf
dramatic tension w hile attem pting the play, it seem s to have all the
to shed lig h t on the bittersw eet in gred ien ts fo r a V ia g ra -fu e le d
relatio n sh ip betw een techn o lo gy escapade for couples w ho w ant to
and success, and happiness found in heat things up without starting a fire.
In e sse n ce , it was som ew hat
simplicity and love.
M u d dled b etw een a slew o f reminiscent o f a soft-core porn that
profanities and “ awkward groping d id n’ t quite m ake it to H B O . Yet
in the dark” used as scene transitions, somehow after all said and done, I
was a message that seemed to strike strangely enjoyed the whole ordeal
true with the audience in attendance, and would highly recommend seeing
w hich was mostly made up o f senior it for yourself.
“ Sex with Strangers” is showing at
citizens and couples over 35: Where
the Gerding Theater on the corner
has chivalry gone?
If th a t’ s not enough to intrigue, o f NW 11th Avenue and Davis Street,
this play prefaces the audience as it un til N ov. 22. For ticket sales and
includes partial nudity, showcasing more information visit: pcs.org.
“ It seems to have
all the ingredients
for a Viagra-fueled
escapade for
couples who want
to heat things up
without starting a
fire.”
Clackamas Print NOVEMBER 1 1,2015 theclackamasprint.com 9