Six years ago, two friends were reflecting on sex education and realized something: Their teachings – and teachers – were incredibly inadequate.
From there, conversation compounded.
They spoke of sex, relationships, pleasure, intimacy. The kinds of things “I wish I could have told my early 20s self or teenage self” to not feel shame around, specifically in regards to “sexual expression and pleasure,” said Tara Demmy, a co-writer and actor in the show.
Demmy and Zachary Chiero, who acts and co-wrote the show with Demmy, were in Philadelphia at the time, in theater together, and brainstorming a new show idea.
It was there that “Clown Sex Ed” was born.
“It’s an exploration of the very broken sex education system in America and all the hilarious and cringey moments that is provided through the lens of these very naive clowns,” Chiero said.
The clowns are not only naive, they’re innocent. Purposefully innocent.
“I was studying the red-nose theatrical clown. and it’s ... very deeply connected to childhood,” Demmy said. “So wouldn’t it be great to have these clowns, these really innocent forms, interacting with four sets of teachers during the show.”
Plus, the clowns resonate.
“Tara and I are both clowns,” Chiero said. “Half the show is kind of a clown show, with these two clowns kind of exploring their sexuality. The other half of the show is sketches where we play different sex educators.”
The pair plays parents, gym teachers, a couple of nine and even nuns.
Chiero remembered how, in a past show, they were performing as nuns while a thunderstorm roared outside.
“The nuns are speaking about sex and then suddenly thunder comes in,” Chiero said. “It was the kind of thing you couldn’t plan, and it stopped the show for two minutes because people were laughing.”
Over time, the show has changed and progressed. There’s updated ideas from “sexperts” and live music by Conor Sheehan, said Dallas Padoven, the rehearsal director and producer.
Recently, “Clown Sex Ed” was in Durango, where all the actors now live.
The show is coming to Cortez’s Sunflower Theater on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. It’s 75 minutes long, and tickets are $20. You can purchase tickets here.
The recommended audience is 18 years and older, but it’s “probably OK” for a high school student to go with a parent.
“This is sex ed meets circus meets sketch comedy meets live concert,” Demmy said. “It has a bunch of different elements.”
“I’m not going to spoil anything,” Chiero said. “But there are moments in the show that are actually really going to touch you, and it’s going to make you a bit more introspective.”
After the show, the audience can talk with the “sexperts” and/or submit anonymous questions about sex, intimacy and the like.
