‘Sex Tips’ review: A fun girls’ night out with PG-13 laughs – Chicago Tribune

Groups of bachelorettes venturing out into the spring bar scene on Lincoln Avenue have a new potential destination: “Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man,” the latest, direct-from-Las Vegas reminder that titles matter more than size, 75 minutes is plenty long enough for some to sit without a drink, and that people like to know they are going to learn stuff before they pull out their credit cards.

This lively commercial attraction, which hopes for a long run in the old Victory Gardens space at Greenhouse Theater Center, is derived from the bestselling how-to book by Dan Anderson and Maggie Berman. As such, it delivers a lovable gay man named Dan (played by Adam Fane), a straight woman named Robyn (Emma Jo Boyden) and a passive character named Stefan (Bradley Allen Meyer) who is probably best described as a male model with an erotic vibe, ready to submit his body to the further education of an audience rather more exuberant than most of the audiences with which I typically surround myself.

I’ve already repressed the plot, which involves some kind of seminar wherein graduate student Robyn, offering a kind of “Fifty Shades” vibe, is tutored by all-knowing Dan, albeit without the nudity.

The rest of the, ahem, action mostly involves audience participation, being as practical learning is the best. On the night I saw the show, women, gay and straight, leapt up on stage to demonstrate their manual dexterity, and other associated skills, as the show offered many imaginative simulations, mostly involving a partially disrobed Stefan. All in the service of how to be better in bed.

Given the sex-negative legacy of a certain pandemic, it’s all a good, PG-13 laugh, a fun girls’ night out, a party show, a chance to whoop it up and shed one’s inhibitions while remaining in a somewhat dignified and safe environment. Fane is charming, Boyden is a stellar improviser and Meyer is extraordinarily willing.

People learned that you can give phalli names like “Louisville Slugger,” that a lean can be healthy, that sex is supposed to be fun and kind and life-enhancing and that we’re all still here together. Huzzah.

Review: “Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man”

When: Open run

Where: Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.

Running Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Tickets: $50-80 at 773-404-7336 or sextipsplay.com