Fucking Men
By Joe DiPietro
Directed by Tom Mullen
Produced by Bailiwick Chicago
At Stage 773 (formerly the Theatre Building Chicago)
A noir-riff on Schnitzler’s LaRonde examines the sex life of ten American gay men
A hit show in London and L.A., Fucking Men is a sexy examination of the lives of ten American gay men who all engage in promiscuous sex to fulfill their lust and their appetite for physical and emotional connection. The show is a series of short vignettes depicting sexual activities of the hustler, soldier, grad student, college kid, husband, and wife, the porn star, playwright, actor, the journalist as they negotiate their search of anonymous sex.
The short scenes are totally gay oriented that features nudity and explicit sexual encounters. Humor, poignant, sometime dramatic and provocative scenes depict the adventures of horny gay men. Gay men seem to love this show that sure makes gays look like sexually aggressives. The enthusiastic reaction to the humor and the stinging comments by the opening night audience looms well for this show’s run in Chicago. I found the show to be clever with funny scenes peopled by an assortment of believable characters.
Ryan Lanning, as the playwright, Beau Forbes, the actor and Christian Kain Blackburn, the porn star were particular excellent performers in a cast of capable actors. I’m sure gay men and possibly women will enjoy the sex studs who inhabit this tight smart sex comedy. The show has limited audience appeal.
Somewhat Recommended
Tom Williams
At Stage 773 (formerly Theatre Building Chicago), 1225 W. Belmont, Chicago, tickets $25, Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 7 & 9 pm, Sundays at 7 pm, running time is 90 minutes without intermission, through July 25, 2010
well written by depietro, smoke choked us in the audience. could have been much better.
What do you mean “smoke choked us in the audience”? I experienced no smoke?
smoke in being bad acting. some better than others, most smoke
Loved the show and yet so confused!!??
Why can’t this critic just review the show as opposed to marking it somewhat recommended because he feels it has limited appeal. That has n0thing to do with the show. Are you a markting director or a theatre critic?
All four of us that went thought it was remarkable and this review is really great. So I’m totally confused by your scoring system. Also don’t pre judge Chicagoans as to whether they are too limited to handle this show. You should know by now they are very smart and very diverse.
The show’s title almost requires a “Somewhat Recommended.” I could not get any of my friends to join me for this show.
Im sorry to be a drab but Im an avid theater goer and supporter of intimate 99 seat theater—- I enjoyed the evening last week but just simply wasnt impressed with the music of the show, the message, and the acting all together. I really wanted to and the actors were very courageous and I applaud them. The advertisement for this show was impeccable and there were VERY high standards for us when we went to see it, thats probably why we were slightly let down. Ive enjoy attending the Bailiwik since the early 90s when we moved here and love their staff and shows but this was not one of their strongest set-wise and acting. We will always continue to support them but it seemed to be miscast in several roles. I would be excited to see the show with an all-star cast. This one didnt do it for me or my 4 other friends who came to see it with us. Sue me.