What Was Your First Time Like?

Hi everyone,

I've been away from my blog for quite a while. The reason is that I've started a new job and have moved to another country. The transition pre-occupied all my time. However, I am now back.

For my first "article back" I want to let you know about a great play that I saw in New York City over the holidays. It is called "My First Time".

As the title suggests the play is about people's first sexual experience. The concept was birthed by two grad students who created a website called, you guessed it, MyFirstTime.com. The site is still live today. While the site was created for research, it gained momentum quickly and became a valuable online property. This play was based on the thousands of submissions from that site.

The play is arranged simply, with four actors sitting side-by-side quoting lines from the site. The beauty lies in how the lines play off one-another and how humor quickly blends into drama. The beauty also lies in the stark ability of the content to relate to our own experience and even "after the first time" experiences. Behind each of the quotes lies so much visual and psychological context that memories are ignited and stories that you've heard quickly come to life. Yes it is very powerful in its simplicity. Above all, the play underscores the impact of first time moments, sexual and other. They stay with us forever and, whether we want to acknowledge it or not, have an effect on actions we take thereafter.

You can find the play running at the New World Stages at 340 West 50th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue. To get inexpensive tickets, visit one of the TKTS booths in Manhattan shortly before closing, chances are that you'll be able to get 50% off.

Enjoy!