PhotosPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Behind the Scenes With Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man Star Grant MacDermottMatt Murphy's Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man, which is based on the best-selling book by Dan Anderson and Maggie Berman, continues its run at midtown's 777 Theatre. Cast member Grant MacDermott shares a few days in the life.
By
Matthew Blank
September 18, 2014
Directed by Tim Drucker, the new comedy began previews Off-Broadway Jan. 22.
0
of
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Behind the Scenes With Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man Star Grant MacDermott
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Behind the Scenes With Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man Star Grant MacDermott
Matt Murphy's Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man, which is based on the best-selling book by Dan Anderson and Maggie Berman, continues its run at midtown's 777 Theatre. Cast member Grant MacDermott shares a few days in the life.
My view of New York every time I go to work. Not bad.
Grant MacDermott
Mr. Dennehy was in the first play I ever saw on Broadway: Death of a Salesman. He made me want to do theatre. Now I get to perform around the corner from him. Pretty amazing.
Grant MacDermott
Hey! I'm in that show!
Grant MacDermott
I take the stairs to work, and this sign greets me as I do.
Grant MacDermott
This is our bar. And merch. Look at all that sexy merch!
Grant MacDermott
Alex our illustrious house manager, showin' off her sass and the merch.
Grant MacDermott
Alex put the sex blind fold on me. I liked it. Marco!
Grant MacDermott
My mic, belt, and gum all waiting for me.
Grant MacDermott
In case you ever needed a reminder. this helps me prep for my character.
Grant MacDermott
Mike's patriotic breakaway underwear. What is more patriotic than stripping?
Grant MacDermott
Dan, our wonderful sound guy. He is the best.
Grant MacDermott
Mike is NOT ready to be photographed yet.
Grant MacDermott
Time to get Dan-a-fied!
Grant MacDermott
But first our wonderful Stage Manager, Renee, stops by
Grant MacDermott
Rachel, our excellent (and only) leading lady, getting sexy with her salad.
Grant MacDermott
Mmmmmm, salad. Preshow salad.
Grant MacDermott
Which one to wear? None, they are props, don't touch the props!
Grant MacDermott
Our whiteboard, if you can make it out. How I keep track of audience names.
Grant MacDermott
Jackie, our stage crew, she runs the whole show back stage by herself. She's basically superwoman in skinny jeans.
Grant MacDermott
And now. . . I am Dan.
Grant MacDermott
Mike is ready for his photo-op. worth the wait, wasn't it? What a handsome guy!
Grant MacDermott
I peek at the audience every night.
Grant MacDermott
Rachel is pumped for the show!
Grant MacDermott
Rachel is SUPER pumped for the show.
Grant MacDermott
Woops, now I'm a lady. Thanks, Jackie!
Grant MacDermott
That is some upper east side chic right there.
Grant MacDermott
My ten minutes as a woman are over. Quick change masters!
Grant MacDermott
Day 2 begins with vacuuming the glitter from my apartment that followed me home last night.
Grant MacDermott
When not performing I teach and coach acting. Compiling some monologues for my students! www.newyorkmonologuecoach.com
Grant MacDermott
After that I do my own writing. Working on a few plays for my writing group with Project Y theater.
Grant MacDermott
Time to shave! No one wants a stubbly Dan.
Grant MacDermott
Look at the pivoting head action. Mine and the razor's.
Grant MacDermott
All clean!
Grant MacDermott
Gotta get my workout in before the show! Do you have tickets to the gun show? Because I, obviously, do not.
Grant MacDermott
Post workout drink, because I can't eat a full meal before the show. I'm delicate like that.
Grant MacDermott
Show number 2! This is where Jackie steams our costumes before every show. She is seriously the best.
Grant MacDermott
An empty house. Tonight is gonna be a good one.
Grant MacDermott
Dan and Renee doing their pre-show checks.
Grant MacDermott
Renee being stage manager extraordinaire and doing some last minute surgery on my lady gloves because I have giant man-hands.
Grant MacDermott
I get to wear panty hose underneath my clothes. Be jealous. Or afraid. Probably both.
Grant MacDermott
Our dressing room with Mike in the mirror.
Grant MacDermott
Our backstage view of our opening.
Grant MacDermott
Rachel stealing Mike's gum. Gum thief! Then I also stole a piece.
Grant MacDermott
We love Mike. and his underwear.
Grant MacDermott
Yes, that is exactly what you think it is. Don't worry, we got Mike's permission.
Grant MacDermott
I want to go to there.
Grant MacDermott
About to make my first entrance!
Grant MacDermott
Here I go!
Grant MacDermott
Me teaching the audience some very valuable techniques.
Grant MacDermott
Now that is an entrance!
Grant MacDermott
Dan and Renee mid show. They are the best.
Grant MacDermott
Almost done. One last tip!
Grant MacDermott
Some audience participation!
Grant MacDermott
Me as a lady sassing some audience member. But all in good fun.
Grant MacDermott
Let's pick an outfit!
Grant MacDermott
I get to know the audience. VERY well ;-)
Grant MacDermott
After the show I meet one of our lovely bachelorettes that attended with her bridal party.
Grant MacDermott
Me and the lucky bride-to-be. Not my bride, just a bride. Just to be clear.
Grant MacDermott
Back home I go!
Grant MacDermott
And on the train I meet someone who just saw the show! Her name is Ingrid and she loved it. So we took a picture. What a nice way to end my day!
The cast includes MacDermott as Dan, Rachel Moulton as Robyn and Michael Milton as Stefan.
Sex Tips, according to press notes, "is set inside a local university auditorium, where the featured event is an interactive discussion with the author of 'Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man.' With the help of Stefan, a hunky stage assistant, author Dan Anderson encourages the shy and studious moderator of the event, Robyn, to follow her dreams while following his tips."
“Some of our best tips were picked up and perfected in New York, where the competition is, ahem, stiff. We’re excited that this hilarious adaptation of our book will be there to entertain as well as inform,” said authors and real-life best friends Dan Anderson (the gay man) and Maggie Berman (the straight woman) in a previous statement.
Presented by Matt Murphy and Shawn Nightingale, the production also features scenic design by Luke Cantarella, costume design by Tilly Grimes, lighting design by Brian Tovar and video and sound design by Randy Blair. Renee Lynette DeMaio is the production stage manager; the company manager is Matt Franzetti. Casting is by Geoff Josselson Casting.
The 777 Theatre is located at 777 Eighth Avenue, between 47th and 48th Streets. Tickets, priced $49.69-$69.69, are available by visiting SexTipsPlay.com.
