BWW Interviews: NEVER SLEEP ALONE's Roslyn Hart on Getting Some

On November 7th, Broadwayworld.com featured a pre-show interview with Roslyn Hart, star of the new monthly comedy show, Never Sleep Alone. Held at Joe's Pub, the main goal of Never Sleep Alone is to hook people up while also throwing in some laughs, music, and drinks. As "Dr. Alex", a Sexual psychologist and music therapist, Hart leads the audience through a night of sexual education and interactions, bringing singles and couples together for a not-to-be-missed night of naughty fun.

Hart joined Broadwayworld for a mid-run interview to discuss the show, her exceeded expectations, and the audience's post-show knack for never sleeping alone. 

So have the reactions to Never Sleep Alone been what you expected?

Definetly better than expected! NSA is an ongoing socio-theatrical experiment and I am very pleased with these first results. People are saying it was one of the most amazing nights of their life, which is exactly what I wanted. I wanted to create an evening that was a great show combined with a unique social event. A place where people would laugh harder than they ever have, while feeling sexy and potentially meeting their next great hook-up. Thanks to Joe's Pub and my amazing NSA team, we did it! We are at 39 successful hookups as a result of Opening Night! And those are just the ones we know about.

What is the most outrageous thing that has happened so far?

Hart: I refuse to give any spoilers because I want everything that happens when you walk in that door to be a surprise. But, you were there! You SAW what happened. And please do not report it. We have a very strict policy. What happens at NSA stays at NSA.

There are post show after-parties. Ever drop by?

Dr. Alex doesn't go to the after-parties, because she doesn't want her patients to feel like they're being scrutinized. (Laughs) But I certainly do. And I must say, it's amazing to see people connecting with their fellow audience members and with the strangers at the after-party. I always pick a venue that has an existing clientele of interesting and attractive, straight and gay people. So, if you don't have a connection with anyone you meet at the show, you are guaranteed to meet at least fifty more strangers who find you sexually relevant at the after-party. And you are coming from an exclusive and unique event, you are hanging out in the VIP area of the after-party and you don't have to wait in line outside the venue like everyone else, so already YOU are a more attractive and interesting person.

If you could take a guess, what percentage of attendees wind up having a one night stand?

It depends of what we are classifying as a one night stand. I would say over 70 percent of that audience didn't sleep alone that night. They were sharing a bed with someone. What happened in that bed is their business. What's more impressive to me is that several of the people who hooked up that night are still seeing each other. And that couples (voyeurs are welcome at NSA) who went to the show said they had the best sex they've had in a long time that night. Dr. Alex has a voicemail where people can annoymously report on their NSA experience. I will be posting some of those voicemails on neversleepalone.com. They are pretty amazing.

During the show you refer to your book and go chapter by chapter. IS there a book? And if there isn't have you thought about putting one together?

Of course there's a book! There's two books. I just want to pick the right publisher.

Lots of champagne is flowing during Never Sleep Alone, and Joe's Pub has a drink minimum. Do you find that the booze helps the sexy interactions?

Yes, it certainly helps. But I know 4 people who stayed sober that night. And only one of them slept alone. And the only reason that person slept alone was because they went straight from the stranger they were kissing at the after-party to a flight to Europe. I'm sure they had sweet dreams on that plane thanks to NSA.

People in the audience were definitely dressed up for a night on the town. Do you think that some look at it as less of a show and more of a speed dating/bar scene experience?

I think they look at it as a show within a social event. It is the opposite of a speed-dating/ bar scene experience because you are actually having fun, you are actually meeting hot people, and you are actually getting your money's worth. My website and all invitations state "DRESS TO IMPRESS". When you look sexy, you feel sexy. When you feel sexy, you ARE sexy.

You show a little skin during the performance. Do you think it was important to put yourself out there physically?

Dr. Alex would never ask her audience to do anything she isn't prepared to do her self. That is something my brilliant director Peter James Cook and I completely agreed on. He directs the show and we create new material based on that principle.

Your band serves as a great support both to you and to the show. How did you decide on the set up?

I really wanted to make the show feel like a Learning Annex Seminar that was happening at a Mega-Church where they let you drink. Where the preacher is preaching the Gospel of Hooking Up. I told my ridiculously hot genius of a music director Adam Rhodes to make that happen and he did it with his brilliant arrangements and by bringing in the amazing and sexy musicians Bruno Esrubilsky, who is a percussionist from Brazil, and Bassist Alex Hayes. I don't know where Alex is from but he is very sexy and his bass lines get people in the mood instantly. We will be adding more hot musicians this month and, eventually a gospel choir.

The people at my table spent the whole time commenting and taking mental notes of your advice. What do you think makes you such an expert?

I've been there. A lot.

Ever think about handing out love advice instead of or as well as sex advice?

Love is like spirituality. It's very personal and it's different for everyone. I'm not in the business of finding people husbands and telling people what to believe . I'm in the business of making people laugh and getting people laid.

How do you think the show would go over somewhere outside of NYC?

I know it's going to be amazing anywhere I take it. Everyone loves to laugh and everyone hates sleeping alone. I'm taking it to Italy in late spring. Si, io parlo Italiano! I'm excited to see what The Pope thinks of it.