Two Sisters Find a Box of Lesbian Erotica in the Woods

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Two Sisters Find a Box of Lesbian Erotic in the Woods is a two-person show from Emma Horwitz (Mary Gets Hers) and Bailey Williams (Coach Coach, Events). Using the framing device of a large collection of the titular boxes of lesbian erotica, the show whips between short skits at dizzying speed yet maintains great humor throughout it all.

Williams and Horwitz are the show’s two performers as well as its writers, in a similar spirit as other theater groups such as Five Lesbian Brothers. Williams and Horwitz’s effortless energy anchors a series of delightfully humorous vignettes, full of over-the-top characters and memorable flourishes.

Director Tara Elliott (Pleasure Machine) keeps the duo on their feet, with Horwitz and Williams running around (sometimes literally) the space throughout. They’re both on stage the whole show and there is not a moment where either is idle. More than once, one will grab a costume props held by out-of-view stagehands that seemed to materialize out of thin air. Elliott’s direction gives the whole production a charming freneticism, like one is really watching two lovers and co-developers tossing out ideas and seeing how far they take each one. It is an infectiously fun effect.

Horwitz and Williams perfectly match each others’ energy on stage. Indeed, at times it seems as if each is trying to one-up the other’s exaggerated mannerisms. In one scene, a famous artist might dip into nonsensical French phrase, only for an interviewer to ratchet it up further by over-emphasizing an accent on a word that doesn’t need it. One might not-so-subtly flirt by bringing up a mutual past lover while the other awkwardly deflects, only spurring on further attempts. Throughout each scene, the pair’s back-and-forth is consistently excellent. They have an easygoing chemistry that makes every scenario feel fresh.

Towering over the actresses and framing the stage are stacked-high boxes of lesbian erotica, each given funny and unique labels that you will certainly find yourself reading through before or after the show starts (Some personal favorites include: “muscle femmes,” “go go go inspector gag-it,” “middle aged actresses,” “the last fight at IKEA,” and “hand stuff”). Set/props/costume designer Normandy Sherwood has the boxes serving a second use as well, with some containing props for a given scene or a gag that reveals when opened. The lighting (from designer Josiah Davis) serves to punctuate the jokes and scene changes nicely, including a fun use of a moment of total darkness. Sound effects (from designer Johnny Gasper) straddle the line between corny and camp, but avoid falling into the former.

The narrative dips in and out of different scenarios, all of which are designed on lesbian erotica in some fashion. The jokes are rapid-fire yet worked in quite naturally, often deriving from quick dialogue and the over-the-top mannerisms of each character. Scenes are generally fast, although each set of characters is returned to at least a few times. The speed matches the production, leaving the audience always excited for the next change in scenario.

The piece is clearly informed by the world of its co-writers, that of New York queer theater. One can see that influence in how it playfully skewers its stock archetypes: a pizza delivery driver and a rich woman, an artist and an interviewer, a businesswoman and her secretary, to name a few. Both actresses play up their performances, enhancing the absurdity of their characters to wondrous effect.

Tying all these vignettes together is the show’s longest skit: Williams and Horwitz as two lesbian paranormal investigators trying to figure out just why there are aliens leaving lesbian erotica in the woods everywhere. The setup of a conference called by the duo to get to the bottom of this mystery enables the two intrepid investigators to speak directly to the audience, bringing the crowd in to the show’s vivacious atmosphere. Such a denouement provides a satisfying climax to the show’s fast-paced energy.

Two Lesbians Find a Box of Erotica in the Woods is a delightful one-act romp through some profoundly gay vignettes. Its oddball sense of humor mixes with a surreal sincerity for an infectiously fun result.

Two Sisters Find a Box of Lesbian Erotica in the Woods (extended through May 3, 2025)

Rattlestick Theater and New Georges

HERE Arts Center, 145 6th Ave, New York, NY, 10013

For tickets, call 212-647-0202 or visit http://www.here.org

Running time: 80 minutes without an intermission