“Sex And Education” at Penguin Rep has Great Writing and Acting with a lot of Laughs and Explicit Language

BY GEORGE J. DACRE

This is a fun piece of theatre as presented at Penguin Repertory in Stony Point and a show that I believe teachers will especially like because it portrays a retiring teacher giving one last effort to leave a good impression on a student.

The drama begins as evidence seems to indicate that star basketball player Joe Marks (Logan Sutherland) of Roosevelt High School is guilty of sending a profanity laced, poorly written note to his cheerleader girlfriend Hannah Winters (Bridget Gabbe), as they are taking a final exam in Miss Edwards (Lizbeth Mackay’s) English class. Said note gets intercepted by Miss Edwards, who is described, shall we say, uncharitably therein, and she finds that Joe is trying to seduce Hannah but Hannah is just not yet ready for that.

Miss Edwards promptly says that Joe, who has a scholarship to the University of North Carolina, will not pass unless he can write the note over in a proper manner still trying to get Hannah in bed. It must be written, however, with class and with the proper words and motivations.

What follows is a delicious dialogue between Miss Edwards and Joe that is priceless, as the jockish Joe just doesn’t get it and debates Miss Edwards in some very funny scenes. Meanwhile Hannah, in her cheerleader uniform, which she fills very nicely, jumps on and off the stage with cheers that fit in with the story of the schoolmarm who is retiring to go into real estate, trying to educate Joe and Hannah.

This show is staged adroitly and there is never a dull moment. Sutherland is very convincing as Joe Marks, and his outlook on life and sex and education is far from Miss Edwards’ very pointed instructions. As for Hannah, she just seems to enjoy the whole scene. It comes to a hilarious conclusion and make sure you do not miss Miss Edwards’ final words.

All three actors are making their debuts at Penguin Rep. In the show they each speak separately to the audience and Director Joe Brancato has expertly put this all together. The writing of author Lissa Levin (“WKRP in Cincinatti,” “Mr. Belvedere”) is excellent.

Despite the use of explicit language, including the F word many times and description of a certain sex act by Joe in his note to Hannah, “Sex And Education,” as I said, is just plain fun.

I rate it Three Stars out of Four. For tickets 845-786-2873.