The Human Race Theatre Company Heats Up The Miami Valley with SEX WITH STRANGERS

This February, The Human Race Theatre Company (HRTC) is heating up the Loft Theatre with the hottest play in the country, Sex with Strangers. Failed novelist Olivia meets Ethan, a celebrated (and much younger) writer made famous by his sexcapade tell-all blog, at a snowbound bed and breakfast, and their mutual attraction quickly gets hot and heavy. As a weekend tryst develops into a long-term romance, their personal and professional lives collide. Ethan seeks legitimacy, dismissing his bad boy reputation as nothing more than an invented character. Olivia has her doubts, but craves the literary fame Ethan can offer her. Ambition, identity and trust are in play when online personals clash with real world expectations in this smart, steamy take on modern love.

** WARNING: Sex with Strangers contains partial nudity, strong language and adult themes. **

The roles of Olivia and Ethan are being portrayed by Jennifer Johansen and Ben Palacios. They were last seen in The Human Race production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike - performed at the Victoria Theatre. "Besides both being exceptional actors," said Kevin Moore, "they already had experienced a degree of intimacy on stage, since their characters, the self-absorbed Masha and her hunky boy-toy Spike, were continually pawing at each other."

Greg Hellems (HRTC's The Glass Menagerie, Band Geeks!, and Best of Broadway), returns to The Race to direct Sex with Strangers.

Laura Eason (Playwright) is the author of 20 plays, original works and adaptations, a musical-book writer and screenwriter. Selected productions include Sex with Strangers (Second Stage, NYC; Signature Theatre, DC; Steppenwolf Theatre, Chicago; Sydney Theatre, AU; published by Overlook Press), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Hartford Stage, CT; New Victory, NYC) and many more. As a screenwriter, Laura wrote on seasons two and three of the Emmy-winning Netflix show House of Cards.

The preview performance of Sex with Strangers is Thursday, February 1. Opening night is Friday, February 2.

Our cast of two are veteran Human Race Theatre actors.

Jennifer Johansen (HRTC's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, A Christmas Carol and God of Carnage.) is "Olivia." This will be Jennifer's fourth show with The Human Race Theatre. Ben Palacios (HRTC's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, National tour of Fifty Shades of Grey parody, Spank!, starring as America's favorite BDSM billionaire. TV credits include Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party and Tosh.0.) is "Ethan." This is Ben's second production at The Human Race Theatre.

Eric Moore (scenic designer), Head Carpenter, designs his fourth show at The Human Race. Costume designer Stormie Mac is delighted to be joining HRTC for the first time. Resident Artists John Rensel (lighting designer) and Jay Brunner (sound designer) round out the design team. Lexi Muller is the production stage manager.

Biographies on the cast and creative team can be found on The Human Race Theatre Company's website.

The Human Race Theatre Company's production of Sex with Strangers is sponsored by Barbara N. O'Hara, Dr. Robert L. Brandt, Jr., MD, Rob and Lessa Comparin, and John and Tamara Clough.

Performance and special event information

Tickets for the preview performance of Sex with Strangers on February 1 start at $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $17.50 for students. For all performances February 2 - 18, single ticket prices start at $40 for adults, $37 for seniors and $20 for students. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seating location. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. The Human Race is offering a pair of discount ticket opportunities during the run of the show. A limited number of $12 and $25 side-area seats are available in advance for all performances. The Sunday, February 4 7:00 p.m. performance is "Sawbuck Sunday," when any available seat can be purchased in person for just $10 at the Loft Theatre box office two hours prior to the show. Prior to the Friday, February 9 8:00 p.m. performance is "Ladies Night," which will begin at 6:30 p.m. Additional information and details for "Ladies Night" can be found on our website and Facebook Events page. Discounts are subject to availability and some restrictions apply.

All performances are at the Metropolitan Art Center's Loft Theatre, located at 126 North Main Street in downtown Dayton, Ohio. Showtimes for Sex with Strangers are 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Performances on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings begin at 7:00 p.m., and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday matinees.

Tickets and performance information for Sex with Strangers are available at www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office.

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