by Laura Eason
Directed by Jeff Adler
You’ll Fall Hard for This Grown-Up Fling by House of Cards Writer Laura Eason.
Olivia, an attractive, gifted but obscure novelist, is unexpectedly snowbound in a secluded cabin with Ethan, a wildly successful, bad boy blogger turned author. Opposites attract and the chemistry is hot. After a weekend of passion, their literary futures are intimately intertwined, and both must confront the complications of reinventing themselves when the past is just a click away. This sensuous and provocative comedy about fame, cyber identity, and big ambition asks: what would you do, and who would you become, to get what you want?
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Length & Content
Sex with Strangers runs approximately 2 hours with an intermission.
This play contains sexual situations and strong adult language.
Handicap seating limited for this production. Please call to reserve if needed.
Opening Night Party Sponsor
More about Sex with Strangers
A warm fire, falling snow, piles of hardback classics and the promise of quiet at a secluded, lakeside cabin in Michigan create a safe writing haven for novelist Olivia, on spring break from her teaching job. A surprise knock brings Ethan, a rising star with an infamous sexcapade blog and two best-selling memoirs–Sex with Strangers and More Sex with Strangers–barreling into her world. After convincing Olivia to let him stay, Ethan reveals that he has actually come here not just to finish his movie script, but to track down and meet her. He has fallen in love with her writing after being introduced to her out-of-print novel by his writing mentor, Olivia’s former lover. Conversation and wine create chemistry; sexual and intellectual heat rise as these opposites attract like magnets. And they discover each has what the other wants: she has huge artistic talent that he envies and aspires to; he has millions of readers and the NY Times best seller list cachet that she has yet to achieve.
With his charms and admiration giving Olivia new confidence, she opens her mind to Ethan’s proposal of embracing the technological future and republishing her early novel online under a new name on his exciting new app, giving her a second chance at finding the audience and success she deserves. The weekend comes to a close; the uncertainty of the future looms, and the couple parts with plans to keep an open mind and date for reuniting. Ethan heads to LA to work on his film, and Olivia is curious about the man whose connections can open the doors she needs. With a restored wifi signal, Olivia heads online – and Ethan’s true past threatens to topple the future.
Once back at Olivia’s home in Chicago, Ethan is riding high from his whirlwind stint in LA and comes bearing gifts – a mini Ipad with his app loaded, linking her to the amazing reception the re-lease of her first novel has received plus an offer to meet with his agent. Although overjoyed at the new possibilities that lie in front of her, Olivia must confront Ethan about what she has discovered about him online in his absence: Ethan Strange, the crass alter ego that has made him famous. Ethan’s persuasive nature wins out, and he convinces her that the Ethan Kane in front of her is true, while the Ethan Strange of the google-sphere is simply a character. With each door that opens for Olivia’s second novel, the couple must confront the changes they are both experiencing as they come closer to gaining what they think they want
Performance Dates
April 1-May 1, 2016
Showtimes
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday at 8:00 PM
Saturday at 3:00 PM and 8:30 PM
Sunday at 5:00 PM
SPECIAL SHOWTIMES:
Saturday April 2nd and April 30th will NOT have a matinee
Sunday May 1st will be at 8 PM
Thursday April 28th will have an 11 AM matinee
Pricing
General Admission
- Tickets start at $25 (plus 8% sales tax)
- Prices are subject to change and will rise as performances fill up. GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY FOR THE BEST PRICES.
- SUBSCRIBE TO A 4- or 5-PLAY HORIZON SEASON to get the VERY BEST PRICES and RESERVED SEATING!
Bring your neighbors!
Group pricing is available for parties of 10+. Groups of 10-24 receive $3 off the general admission ticket price. Groups of 25+ receive $5 off the general admission ticket price. Call 404.523.1477 x111 or e-mail marketing@horizontheatre.com for more information.
Ticket prices are subject to change. Buy early for best pricing. 8% sales tax will be added to all ticket orders. Internet convenience fee added to all online orders. No refunds, exchanges, or late seating.
Cast
Olivia – Megan Hayes
Ethan – Michael Shenefelt*
Olivia Alternate – Liza Jaine*
Ethan Alternate – Joe Sykes
Creative Team
Director – Jeff Adler
Playwright – Laura Eason
Scenic Designers – Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay
Lighting Designer – Mary Parker
Sound Designer – Thom Jenkins
Props Designers – Kristin Hunsicker, Kate LaFoy
Costume Designer- Deyah Brenner
Stage Manager – Julianna M. Lee*
*denotes a member of Actor Equity Association
Steamy Show Snippets
Sneak Peek
SEX WITH STRANGERS on The Dana Barrett Show
“Megan Hayes and Michael Shenefelt own the stage.” -Atlanta Intown
“A must watch for everyone who has ever just wanted some respect.”-ArtsATL
“A smart wrangle through failure, success and sizzling ambition.”– ArtsATL
“Shenefelt and Hayes are lovely together.” -ArtsATL
“It touches the heart and the mind and the libido.”-Atlanta Theatre Buzz
“The delectable Megan Hayes returns as Olivia. She’s Perfect.”– Atlanta Theatre Buzz
“Michael Shenefelt is Ethan. Charming. Creepy. Also Perfect.” -Atlanta Theatre Buzz
“Sensuous, hilarious, poignant…”– Aquarius Magazine
“A roller coaster ride.”-Aquarius Magazine
“Sex with Strangers is a winner!”– Damzel in Distress Blog
“…Funny, sexy, intelligent and bold.” -Damzel in Distress Blog
Full Reviews and Interviews
Wanderlust ATL: Sex with Strangers is Sooooo HOT!
Atlanta Intown: Sex with Strangers at Horizon
ArtsATL: Horizon Connects with Sex with Strangers
Atlanta Theatre Buzz: When Bibliophile Met I-Pad
Aquarius Magazine: Sex, Lust and Publishing: A Writing Couple’s Dilemma
DamzelinDistress Blog: Horizon Scores Big with Sex with Strangers
God4BandMe Blog: Sex with Strangers
Broadway World Atlanta: Sex with Strangers Mesmerizes Audiences
ARTS ATL Interview: Preview: Catching Fire actress Megan Hayes comes home for Sex with Strangers
Audience Raves
“Run, don’t walk, to Sex with Strangers. Top Notch!”
“Great for a date night.”
“It was wonderful!”
“Great show. We’ll be back!”
“It was amazing.”
“The show became more complex than I thought during Act I. Definitely kept my interest!”
“Saw a preview for our 30th anniversary. Loved it! Kinda how we started 33 years ago, without the blog/ebook.”
“It was adorable and the actors were wonderful. Everything was great.”
“The connection between the actors and just enough with the audience to keep engaged as voyeurs.”
“Loved that there was just a hint of comedy.”
National Articles and More
- Hot or Not: How to Sell Sex with Strangers
- A look at advertising images for the show from across the country
- The New York Times: No Fragile Flower in this Fight
- An interview with writer Laura Eason and actor Anna Gunn
- Curious Theatre Company: Interview with Playwright Laura Eason
- Playwright in Residence Emily Dendinger sits down with Laura Eason to talk about playwrighting today
- Steppenwolf Theatre: On Sex with Strangers
- Steppenwolf Artistic Director Martha Lavey writes about the revelance of Sex with Strangers
- Laura Eason- writer and director
- Playwright Laura Eason’s website
El Bandido Mex Mex Grill is the proud sponsor of the Opening Night Reception
El Bandido Mex Mex Grill serves Atlanta’s best authentic Mexican food. They focus on high quality food and creating a fantastic dining experience. Visit their website for specials, menus, and more!
El Bandido Mex Mex Grill
1083 Euclid Ave, Atlanta, GA 30307
404.476.3150