In San Jose Stage’s production of Laura Eason’s ‘Sex With Strangers,’ the actors give it their all, but the inconsistent play itself is the problem.
The moment that author “Ethan Strange” rolls up to a bed and breakfast and meets fellow writer Olivia, something feels off. The age gap is the most obvious dynamic that doesn’t jibe, but it’s mostly the generational fissures that escalate every tension between the two writers.
Olivia makes it clear in the first moments of the play that her vibe is chilling on the couch with a good manuscript and a sizable glass of red wine. Two blizzards are at her doorstep, both literal and figurative, the latter coming in the form of highly fit Ethan , a man flirting with a writing deadline of his own. As he moves through her space shortly after his arrival, we learn that he is a young man who understands how to use new media to sell a world of fruitful fantasy.
San Jose Stage veteran Rich is a performer who understands listening and rhythm, incorporating plenty of skill into the many roles she has performed for the company. This turn asks for much more consistent vulnerability, and there are nice moments when she is able to push Olivia away from a clear lack of agency in order to take control of the character. Kropschot leans into the slimeball nature of Ethan, a transactional louse.
There are some fantastic technical details that come with the setting that lives in two locations, the bed and breakfast as well as Olivia’s chic Chicago apartment. Maurice Vercoutere’s clean set design is matched beautifully with a magical and varied soundscape by designer Steve Schoenbeck. There are also delightful transitions that delve into metaphors from Derrick Scocchera’s projections.
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