<Updated August 23, 2024>
INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL AND STILL FUNDRAISING
With the support of this generous community, we blasted through my first campaign goal. I'm over the moon, but I'm not done yet!
The production - including renting the theatre, publicity, and lodging - costs $27,300. We have raised $17,919 so far. Amazing!
Small contributions can buy me a meal on the road. Larger ones can cover more. It all matters!
The Project
Hi, I'm Jean. My mission is to shift the culture to a more compassionate world - whether it’s as a consent expert at universities, an intimacy professional for TV, film and theatre, a teacher of cuddle therapy, or the performer of this solo show.
It's a sexy story filled with drama and comedy, love and lust. And it answers this question: How does a mother react to the fact that her very-good-daughter is into BDSM?
The story has meaningful themes including:
- Sexual empowerment
- Intergenerational healing
- Strengthening of the feminine and human spirit
And it's delivered with a spoonful of sugar:
Kinky stuff!
Smoldering erotic moments!
A lot of laughs.
This show is the best I've got to offer distilled down to a whiskey shot of love. With the world as it is, I feel it's important to hold nothing back.
Help me amplify my voice by contributing to this campaign!
Challenges
This is the first time I've made a financial leap of this magnitude. My gut said, "Do it!" Still, this project is a giant leap of faith. It's requiring me to grow a lot as an artist and producer.
Every Contribution Earns a Perk
The more you're able to give, the more the perks will pile up for you. That's because each tier includes every perk listed in the prior tier.
Do you want a clever t-shirt? A signed script? Tickets to the show in Edinburgh? An executive producer's credit? These things can be yours. How about an MP3 of the show's original song? I got you covered.
But my favorite perk is “The Sexual Bucket List Class” It’s a self-paced, private online course inspired by my show’s content. I designed it myself especially for this campaign.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can't contribute today, you can still be a part of it:
- Please share this campaign with your community. Thank you!
- Know someone who wants to make a difference in the world and has the cash to do so? Please put me in touch.
- Have friends going to the Edinburgh Fringe? Tell them to catch the show.
- Got contacts at a company whose brand is aligned with my show's message? Connect us!
The Team
You can trust the integrity and creativity of my team.
Written and performed by Jean Franzblau
Directed by Carly DW Bones
Developed with Karen Aschenbach
Original Song by Eric Schwartz
Press Representative: Ken Werther Publicity
Production Company: Fringe Management
Campaign Support: Danny Torres, Marilyn Franzblau], Tamara Miles
Reviews
*** Top Ten (Los Angeles) Stage Raw ***
“…one of the best solo shows I have seen. It’s nuanced, beautifully written and perfectly balanced.” ~ Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros, NoHoArts District
***Encore Award SoloFest 2024***
“What makes her stories come alive is Franzblau’s ability to inhabit each of the characters so completely that you really will feel there is more than just one person on the stage.” ~ Shari Barrett, Broadway World
“Franzblau’s monologues possess a certain 50 Shades of Grey steaminess – but with a sophisticated awareness that the attempt to translate sexual longing to a crowd of strangers contains an element of silliness.” ~ Paul Birchall, Stage Raw
*** Featured on Playboy Radio ***
“…strong characterization, clever dialogue and mind-opening honesty. Recommended!” ~ Dr. Carol Queen, Staff Sexologist, Good Vibrations
The Backstory
This show won't leave me alone.
I first performed it (originally called Coming Out Kinky) in 2014. When I took the project on - yep - it was awkward to talk about sex in front of audiences. But I followed the call. I did the courageous work.
I was surprised after opening night when a psychotherapist asked if I could perform the show as continuing education for other therapists. Or a protective father said, “I want my daughter to see this.” Or young women would find me after the show to say: me too.
The story caught on. With themes of empowerment and self acceptance, reviewers and audiences called it an “intoxicating” and “complex journey” that "was brave, truthful, funny and sexy."
I performed it in small theaters for sex positive communities and was invited to present it for students at the University of Florida.
Maybe that was enough. I put the script down for a long time. Ten years.
But then my father died. And the pandemic. Perimenopause. And a crash in my libido that challenged my sense of identity.
Depression.
As I trudged through my midlife sadness, this show began to stir again in my psyche.
Yes, I’ve learned a lot in the past ten years.
And yes, I have gray hair and still care deeply about my sexuality.
And hoo boy, my relationship with my mom has taken some fascinating turns.
I needed to rewrite.
That was twenty-one months, three readings and six performances ago. With director, Carly DW Bones, we have honed this beautiful theatrical offering into a moving piece of art.
It’s funnier and deeper than ever, and it’s time to share it big.
I Am Committed
The theater has been paid, the postcards and posters are printed, the rehearsals are happening. You and this campaign community have brought me to this brave moment. (Full disclosure, I also pulled a lot from my Roth IRA.) I don't know how it's going to work out. But I'm doing it.
**Tickets are on sale now for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, August 2-24. Get tickets here.**
Help me cross the finish line by contributing to the campaign today!
