What happens when two people in a new relationship have very different ideas about social interaction online?

One tells all.

One tells none.

  • 'Sex with Strangers' is latest offering at American Stage Theatre
  • Plugged-in writer meets his social media opposite
  • Play continues through Aug. 6

You get Sex with Strangers. It's the latest offering at American Stage Theatre in St. Petersburg.

It's written by playwright and screenwriter Laura Eason, best known as a writer for four seasons of the Netflix hit series "House of Cards."

The play's racy title is courtesy of the character Ethan Kane — it’s the name of his publications.

"It starts out as a blog, then moved into a book," explains Ben Williamson, who plays Ethan.

So is the play filled with intimate encounters…between strangers?

"A lot! The whole thing is just sex," jokes Williamson, “Yeah, yeah it's a lot of nudity. And it's a lot of crazy stuff, so come one come all!"

There is no sex in this play. What is in the play are two writers—potentially falling for each other.

One is a celebrity, constantly plugged in.

“There's buzzing, there's beeping, there's ringing-- it doesn't stop," said Williamson, referring to his social media alerts.

And the other writer, not so much.

"My character Olivia is much more protective of her privacy,” explained Carey Urban, who plays the role of the social media-shy writer. "There's a lot about how this modern technological world invades upon our privacy."

In fact, plugged-in Ethan has to track down the very private Olivia in a remote cabin in Michigan on a writer's retreat.

And it's a cabin with a questionable Wi-Fi connection.

Ethan thrives in the virtual spotlight with a "Love 'em and Leave 'em" persona.

That persona and that spotlight raise a lot of questions for a budding romance.

"Where does one end and the other begin?" muses Urban. "Are they both not really you, and if there are both you, how do I reconcile this version of you that I don't like."

And as the play asks...

"Has technology brought us together or made us virtual strangers?"

"Sex with Strangers" continues at American Stage Theatre through August 6.