Melanie Moseley opens her one-woman show Sexology: The Musical by listing her life’s basic details: She’s a 56-year-old cisgender, bisexual, twice-divorced, solo-polyamorous woman. It’s fitting that she kicks off her performance with what is like a dating profile because an examination of her relationship history follows.
More specifically, it’s an exploration of her path from monogamy to polyamory and all the bits in between. Performing via video-on-demand Moseley charms as soon as she enters her cozily-lit set. Sexology succeeds as an intimate and funny autobiographical musical despite the virtual divide.
Along with playing herself, Moseley portrays a dramaturg who clarifies info and terms for those unacquainted with polyamory. There’s also “Footnote,” who doles out commentary with a New York accent. The video cuts to both throughout the performance’s run. Visually and tonally, this adds just enough variation to keep things interesting. Moseley utilizes the space each character occupies to full ability, moving naturally through emotions and dialogue.
For a virtual Fringe show the production quality is high. Occasionally Moseley’s face blurs out of focus, but for the most part the picture is crisp and warmly rendered. The smooth editing adds polish.
She cites Joni Mitchell as an early inspiration for her music, which is evident in Moseley’s folksy singer-songwriter tunes. Suffice it to say, she would fit in as town troubadour in Gilmore Girls’ quirky town of Stars Hollow.
I couldn’t help but think of Netflix’s hit show Sex Education while watching this performance. One of that series’ best elements is its ability to educate while remaining authentic to its portrayals of sexualities and relationships, whether sexual, romantic, platonic or familial. Moseley mines her own life story in a similar way, piercing through taboo with raw sincerity. She sings about relationship anarchy; discusses coparenting; reminisces on past relationships and how she found polyamory to begin with. It all leads up to her present life in a poly triad with two people she loves dearly.
Sexology is a fun, no-holds-barred watch that dives deep into one woman’s quest for self-discovery.
The Cincinnati Fringe Festival takes place June 4-19. For more information, show descriptions, a schedule and tickets, visit cincyfringe.com.
