I wasn’t excited to see “My First Time” initially. Loss of virginity is a field that’s been plowed many times over. But Ken Davenport’s adaptation of the stories posted on the My First Time website explore an old topic in innovative ways and manage to include the audience in on the action.
In new company Broken Nose Theatre’s late-night debut, director Benjamin Brownson’s staging is minimalist: actors Jennifer Grubb, Michael Allen Harris, Leslie Ruettiger and Adam Soule sit on a setless stage and tell stories. That’s it. But the tonal variety and the show’s well-established arc keeps the subject matter buoyant; the characters share tales of loving unions, nonexistent minglings and horrific, abusive poundings. Each story adds something new to the mix. Additionally, the audience is incorporated through non-invasive surveys about their experiences. Each show also features local storytellers detailing their first time. All performers successfully focus on these stories’ common ground: the very human need for contact. (Lisa Buscani)
Broken Nose Theatre at The Greenhouse Theater, 2257 North Lincoln, (773)404-7336. Through July 28.
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