Fringe's 'Chlamydia dell'Arte' offers a comedic take on sex

By Fiona Zublin
Wednesday, July 14, 2010

"Chlamydia dell'Arte," which plays through July 25 at the Baldacchino Gypsy Tent Bar, is a motley collection of songs, dances, skits and monologues delivered by two women who, thank goodness, never got that "girls can't be funny" memo. Gigi Naglak and Meghann Williams change costumes during short video interludes of two cranky old ladies (played by Naglak and Williams) and interviews with real women about getting and giving the sex talk -- "I was told I would hug somebody and have a special sneeze" -- and other insights on how women think about sex in America.

The skits range from sexy (Naglak's fan dance, a striptease juxtaposed with a video about STD facts) to funny (Williams' two pitch-perfect monologues, one about Barbie sexuality and one about date rape). Some of the didactic sex-education moments seem a bit out of place, since the program indicates that the play is for mature audiences, and we sure hope mature audiences know the difference between a transvestite and a transsexual. (Attendees should be aware that the play also contains a short discussion of sexual assault.)

Like most Fringe shows, "Chlamydia" could be a bit more polished. But what it accomplishes is impressive: Naglak and Williams are so exuberant and unaffectedly positive about sex throughout that, in their hands, none of the material seems dirty.