How to Be an Ethical Slut
by FronteraFest
Jan. 29 - Feb. 04, 2023
Experience the ride of your life as an unethical slut penetrates lies, STDs, triads, orgies, and love in her musical journey to becoming an Ethical Slut. Follow Blake Valentini's struggles between dating the socially acceptable way--monogamy--or daring to open her mind to unusual relationship pleasures and tribulations through this original one-woman show.
This bold, sexy, and vulnerable story touches upon topics that are often unseen onstage, like sexual health and nonconventional relationship styles like polyamory and swinging. Everyone, including Blake, may even learn a thing or two about honesty and sexuality throughout this wild ride.
Brooke, the solo artist, and playwright, is ecstatic to bring her show to Austin. She stated, “I can’t wait to bring my show to the vibrant and funky arts community of Austin. The culture is rich, eccentric, and accepting, so I know my story will thrive among the Austin audience. Plus, this is a show about honesty, communication, and unconventional relationships, which is becoming less taboo and more timely than ever with people embracing radical honesty and polyamory.” Brooke believes this is an essential piece of theater because there aren’t enough shows that normalize talking about our sexual health before we jump in bed with our new lover, nor are there any plays that portray positive notions regarding a polyamorous lifestyle.
There are a variety of music genres featured throughout the show including jazz, pop, and musical theater parodies, so there is a song for everyone. McCarthy also brought in her friend Sarah Clemency to help create an original song for the show called Three is Better which depicts the story of a triad relationship between two women and one man.
This cabaret-style comedic play examines what it means to lie in the most awkward and vulnerable situations while empowering us to be honest with ourselves and our most intimate partners about who we truly are. (Run time: 55 mins)
For mature audiences (Adult language, adult content, & simulations).
Review by Jasmine Lane for Austin Chronicle, Feb. 7, 2023
Brooke McCarthy (Actor/Playwright) holds her MFA in Acting from the University of Georgia. She's originally from NJ and currently resides in Charlotte, NC. She has been touring her solo show around the US (Athens, Charlotte, Memphis, Evansville, St. Louis, Orlando, Philadelphia, Hartford). Credits: Avery in Niagara Falls (Aurora Theatre & UGA). International Credit: Peas, Patelin, & Purgation (Italy). Regional credits: Broadway Theatre of Pitman (Shrek, Can-Can, Return of the Phantom), Theater with a View (Rabbit Hole), Philly Improv Theatre (Company Actor).
Robyn Accetta (Director) is an Austin-based actor and teaching artist who holds her MFA in Acting from the University of Georgia. She's originally from Dover, DE, however, her training has taken her to Chicago (The Theatre School at DePaul University, The Actors Studio), New York City (Circle in the Square Theatre School), and Michigan State University, where she received her BA in Theatre. www.robynaccetta.com
John Patrick Bray (Dramaturg) is a new play dramaturg, scholar, anthology editor, playwright, and screenwriter. His plays are published by Next Stage Press, Original Works Publishing, and in a number of anthologies and journals. He has edited The Best American Short Plays 2018-2019 and the forthcoming Stage It, Stream It! Plays for Virtual Theatre (April 2023) for Applause Theatre and Cinema Books. He has an MFA in Playwriting from the Actors Studio Drama School at The New School, a PhD in Theatre from LSU, and he is the Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Theatre and Film Studies at UGA. www.johnpatrickbray.com
Sarah Clemency (Musical composer for Three is Better) is a Philly-based teacher, writer, musician, and performer. Sarah has written two musical comedies: “Only In Your Dreams” and “Becoming Vegan”.
Additional Credits:
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Original direction by Kristin Kundert: www.kristinkundert.com
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Original lighting design by Matt Oliner: www.olinerdesigns.com
How to Be an Ethical Slut
by Brooke McCarthy
FronteraFest
8 pm Sunday & Monday, January 29 & 30, 2023 (indoors, Eloise Stage): $15, $27, $37 (tickets for these shows only)
6:00 pm Saturday, February 4 (outdoors, Garden Stage): $15 for seats by the stage, & $10 for standing/find your own seat (tickets for this show only)
