Flowers and Passion a-bloomin’ at Rose Cottagein SCTC’s “Sex Please, We’re Sixty”
by April Johnson
This past weekend I made a trip to South Camden Theater to check out the last show of 2026’s season Sex Please, We’re Sixty. The anchor of SCTC’s 21st season, Sex Please is an uproarious production that deserves sold out performances from now to close. “At South Camden Theatre Company, we believe that humor is a powerful tool for hope and connection—especially during challenging times. Our theme, “LAUGHING THROUGH THE STORM,” reminds us that laughter is not escapism, but a vital act of endurance, healing, and solidarity.” (Dawn Varava, Artistic Director).
Written by Susan & Michael Parker and directed by Zuhairah McGill, Sex Please is a farce that unfolds in the Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast run by Mrs. Stancliffe. Set in New England, the conservative proprietor is preparing to welcome returning guests. As she arranges the suites and reception to entertain, her next-door neighbor Bud “The Stud” Davis strolls his way into the B&B to peruse the check-in list to deliver his special bedside service. To her chagrin, Mrs. Stancliffe acknowledges that his panache is good for business. As he views the list, he finds that one of his trysting partners is asking directly for him, who affectionately calls him “Budly Studly.” Unsure of whom it is, he leaves to prepare himself for his mysterious returning companion. As she continues to complete preparations, another neighbor, Henry Mitchell, pays his customary visit to Mrs. Stancliffe, making his daily bid for her hand in marriage which is repeatedly rejected. Henry is a retired chemist who has developed a blue pill, Venusia, named after the goddess of love, which was created to increase the libido of menopausal women waiting to be tested. Romance novelist Victoria Ambrose, finding herself at an impasse, returns to the cottage to complete her latest work; eventually tapping into her talent as a ghost writer for Henry and unveiling her personal unfulfilled desires after sipping a glass of (sp)iced tea. Hillary Hudson, a friend of Henry, visits Rose Cottage thinking it’s a vacation but is propositioned to test Mitchell’s new discovery. Then enter the hotblooded southern belle Charmaine Beauregard, who comes to reignite her passion with her “Budly Studly.” Bud gains access to Venusia and chaos in the chateau goes up twenty more degrees. The estate goes from becoming a relaxing retreat to a testing laboratory gone berserk. The ladies mix up Bud’s Viagra pills with the Venusia and the adverse side effects break the comedic thermometer. As a result, the journey navigates the characters to their individual revelations and shared destinations.
This cast is undeniably an ensemble fit to work together. Their chemistry oozed throughout the stage and osmotically permeated the audience. Not to mention, some golden rules were “broken,” namely the fourth wall, drawing in the viewers as welcomed guests of the cottage. Donne Petito’s acting approach to the Victorian Mrs. Stancliffe beguiles the audience from start to finish in delivering the full spectrum of her character. Her final reveal, well, I can’t let the cat out the bag! Go check her out for yourself! Anthony Cornatzer’s performance as Bud-the-Stud is comically spectacular. Bud’s panache and “fire in his loins” set and kept the audience ablaze with inextinguishable laughter. Comic heavyweight Craig McLarin delivers TKOs as the good-natured and potential suitor Henry Mitchell. Whether provided physically or scripted, McLarin deserves a championship belt for stage presence. Melody Moore steps from behind the production curtain and stretches her sharp acting abilities as Victoria. She should continue scratching the itching bug bite of acting. Claire Golden Drake’s performance is superb as Hillary; she is such a joy to watch on stage. Her physical comedic bits and aura are “golden” and she wears them as natural charms. Melissa Connell is delightfully splendid as the incandescent Southern belle Charmaine, whose witty catchphrases are just as extravagant as her drawl and passion for life and men. As my granny would say, “I like her, she’s fierce!” (Or would that be me ... well, I am a granny ha ha).
Zuhairah McGill’s directing style is one to be studied. The actions of the performers are entirely soul-tickling and side splitting, especially during the scenes focused on menopausal symptoms, detective noir, and oh my God, Bud the Stud’s spasmatic back.
Along with McGill’s gifted eagle eye attention to performance details, the production seamlessly worked together to make Sex Please run like a well-oiled machine. Mikayla Cassidy served as Stage Manager. Melody Moore juggled two hats as performer and Production Manager. The stage was created as a garden style retreat where the entrance is laced with bloomed roses and foliage, indicating that spring is in the air. Span an immersive warm and cozy setting doused with mauvy floral paneling, highlighted with rosy paintings with the look of a human sized dollhouse thanks to Scenic Design by Robert Bingaman. Scenic assistants Deborah Sperry, Steve Segal, Jordan Feld, Joe Wilmes, and Carlos Quinterro lent hands to ensure the details were carried out. Drop ceiling chandeliers and lighting created a warmth and coziness courtesy of lighting designer Hunter Mountz. Special lighting moments engage the audience into mystery noir and highlight hilarious still imaging layered with sound along with welcoming bossa nova style and familiar mystery theme music serving as perfect scene sound mapping by Jairus L. Parker, Sr. Kudos to Pam Staley for providing props for complementing amusing moments. Louise Gareau creatively collaborated with costuming—adding more heat to the production.
Once again, I must say that SCTC has become one of my favorite theater companies. This cozy venue presents lesser produced works with powerful themes and relatable messages, and I commend the artistic board for going against the grain in choosing such fantastic pieces.
Hey Siri! Hey Alexa! Play “Fever” by Peggy Lee. Temperatures rose all through this feverishly entertaining show and it was a lovely way to burn. This show had us hysterically hot and bothered!
Sex Please, We’re Sixty runs until November 22nd, 2026. For tickets, visit sctcnj.org
