For some, it happened in the back of a car. For others, it might’ve happened on prom night or during a house party—an awkward tango of limbs fueled by nerves, desire and a few beers. Whenever or wherever, one never forgets their “first time”—no matter how hard they might try.
Derek Hill’s one-man show, No Sex, Please, is a touching, hysterical and whirlwind ride through the male psyche, with pit stops at puberty, family strife and first love.
Hill recounts an hysterical assortment of fumbles and false starts that landed him with a rather unfortunate claim to fame—a 28-year-old virgin.
The Gearbox venue, where the production takes place, provides the perfect barebones setting. The small black box space adds to the intimacy of the narratives and Hill makes a good choice of keeping the set and props minimal. The focus is on him at all times, and he seems perfectly comfortable in the spotlight.
No Sex, Please
by Derek Hills
50 minutes
at Gearbox
1021 7th Street NW 3rd Floor
Washington, DC, 20001
Details and tickets
Hill, a storyteller and writer, has performed with several local storytelling groups, including Speakeasy DC, Story League and Better Said Than Done. His experience shows through his ease on stage. He transitions gracefully between subject matter and tone, giving just as much weight to his quirky Long Island childhood as he does to his brief brush with domestic violence in Florida.
Each endearing story propels the show forward, and as Hill’s journey unfolds, the landscape begins to look a lot more familiar. We’ve all endured the birds and bees talk with a by-the-book parent—and we’ve all been left similarly scarred.
No Sex, Please is everything you could hope for in a Fringe performance. It’s personal, provocative, and utterly relatable. When Hill’s big moment finally arrives, you’re almost inspired to stand up and cheer.
– More Capital Fringe 2013 reviews –
