See ‘The Lost Virginity Tour’ on stage through May 30

Pentacle Theatre presents The Lost Virginity Tour by Bend playwright Cricket Daniel on stage through May 30.

While the title may raise a few eyebrows, the story is less about shock value and more about connection and memory, according to director Karen McCarty.

“This play isn’t really about ‘losing virginity’ in the literal sense — it’s about the firsts that define us,” said Karen. “The women discuss how they felt when they lost their virginity and the impact it had on their lives. I don’t want people to be afraid to come to the show because they think it’s all about sex, because there is so much more to gain from this show.”

The play follows four retired women living at Happy Trails Senior Resort in Surprise, Arizona, who belong to a baking club that provides treats for community events. During one of their meetings, the conversation shifts from recipes and routine into something more personal: first loves, life experiences, and more. Before long, one of the women proposes an unusual idea: a cross-country road trip to revisit the places where each of them lost their virginity.

“On the trip, they become more deeply connected to each other as they tell their stories and uncover feelings they had not addressed in many years,” said Karen. “There is plenty of laughter, and a few tears, with many heartfelt moments.”

Photo by Vicki Woods

Karen said one of the most unexpected parts of the rehearsal process was how deeply the cast and production team connected as they brought the story to life. “I have always enjoyed the creative process of directing a play. It’s like making a vase out of clay. You start with a mound of clay and gently mold it, paint it, and fire it until it becomes a beautiful piece of art. With a play, you start with simply reading the script, then building the characters, adding props, costumes, and set, and end up with a beautiful piece of art,” she said. “The process of molding the characters to tell their stories really brought all of us closer together as a production team. We spent time sharing personal stories about our lives and connecting on a deeper level than I’ve ever had the opportunity to do with other shows I’ve directed. The whole process was very rewarding and moving for me.”

Visually, the production keeps things streamlined. Rather than overwhelming the audience with spectacle, the design choices keep the stories at the center. “The simplicity of the set and the beauty of the projections help the audience focus on the stories being told.”

While the show is recommended for mature audiences (high school and older), Karen emphasized that the play is not solely aimed at women. 

“The show is for men and women alike,” she said. “Women don’t lose their virginity on their own!”

Overall, Karen hopes audiences leave reflecting on the experiences that shaped their own lives. The stories in The Lost Virginity Tour may belong to four women onstage, but the emotions underneath them are familiar territory for nearly everyone.

“I really hope that people leave this show talking about experiences they had in their own lives and how they can use those experiences to shape their future,” Karen said. “As Viola says, ‘Open up your own time capsule and start to pull out your memories.’”

The Lost Virginity Tour

When: 7:30 p.m. May 14-16, 21-23, 28-30 and 2 p.m. May 17, 23-24
Where: Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave NW
Click here for tickets.

Author: Carlee Wright

Carlee Wright is a community instigator with a grand love for Salem and notably fashionable shoes (Hello, John Fluevog!) who turns waste into wearable art in her "spare" time.