‘Sex, Love, & Yoga’ – Provocative, Yet Dull Musical

Kim Reen and Casey Hayden. – Courtesy Photo

By Nathaniel Cayanan

This past weekend saw the opening of Sex, Love, & Yoga, a new musical from Kate Sullivan Gibbens and based on the true story by Dr. Stephanie Torres. The play follows widowed sexologist Beverly (Kim Reed), who recently decides to take a yoga class, where she has a deep, spiritual connection with yogi Cody (Casey Hayden). The catch? He’s gay. Yet, this does not stop her from starting a sexual relationship with him. Strange right? But, it all really happened! The producers of this play really want you to know this. In fact, one of the last songs is dedicated to this idea of art imitating life. Sounds really interesting right?

Well…actually there are a few problems. For one, despite talking about sex pretty much every other line, Beverly is a pretty dull character. Also, she’s obviously a representation of Torres on whom this story is based. This fact explains why Beverly is shown as this all too wise, almost Mary Poppins-esque, character, to a point that, by the end, all the characters celebrate her awesomeness.

To make matters worse, the lyrics to this musical are so lazily written, and lack nuance and poetry that the songs fall extremely flat most of time. Such numbers would have been alienating if not for the talented cast who can really carry a tune.

But, it’s not all bad. In fact, the positives of this play are pretty positive. For example, the subplots revolving around Beverly’s friends’ relationships are truly compelling. One that really stands out is that of the complex relationship between Jenny (Katherine Washington) and Riley (Shen Heckel), who both play a lesbian and transgender male. Parts such as this were quite interesting as these characters explore the complexities of their relationships and the conflicts that arise. Perhaps if the play had focused on these relationships more and relegated Beverly to a supporting role, the play would have been more intriguing. But, alas, this is not the case.

Instead, for a majority of the time, we’re faced with a character who the creative team really wants us to love and admire because of her provocative and preachy message that sexual exploration can solve most anything. But in the end, this really loud, self-congratulatory pat on the back, takes away from what could’ve been a much more interesting production.

Sex, Love, & Yoga will play until Aug. 30th, 2015 at Macha Theatre 1107 N. Kings Road West Hollywood. Show days and times are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at www.machatheatre.com or by calling (323) 654-0680. The musical features adult themes and situations.

Shen Heckel, Katherine Washington, Kim Reed, Espiridion Magana, Casey Hayden, Stephanie Andersen and Tod Macofsky. – Courtesy photo

More from Arcadia Weekly