“Insertion” explores self-acceptance and sexual identity – Chico Enterprise-Record

The poster for the play “Insertion,” which opens Thursday at the Theatre on the Ridge, is pictured Monday, June 3, 2024, in Chico, California. Steve Ferchaud drew the image. (Theatre on The Ridge)

PARADISE – “Insertion,” which premieres Thursday at the Theatre on the Ridge, is about self-acceptance and the discovery of one’s own sexuality.

Anna Calvert stars as Maisie Poole, a young woman who is working as an intern at a publishing house in San Francisco during the summer of 2022. Her mentor, Gilda Tarrington, is an acclaimed novelist. Tarrington has a secret: she is the brains behind a raunchy paperback empire and wants Poole to be her successor. To prove herself, Maisie embarks on a series of adventures to learn everything she can about sex, while also dealing with her own sexuality, shame, and insecurities as a writer. The show is written by playwright Sarah Groustra and is recommended for ages 16 and up due to language and sexual references.

Corban Fowler plays Cad, Poole’s lover, in the show. “Insertion” is his first track on TOTR.

His friend helped him get the role because director Jerry Miller needed a male actor for the role of Cad.

“The show was fun, there was really nothing stressful,” Fowler said. “The cast and crew are great. We’re all working toward a common goal and everyone is very supportive.”

Fowler says Miller is a great director and he loves that “Insertion” is very comedic. “The technical team came last week to watch the scenes and they were laughing their heads off,” Fowler said.

Calvert is also the lighting designer for the show. You have appeared on TOTR in She Kills Monsters and Sherlock Holmes.

“I’m very happy that TOTR continues to cast me. Jerry said he values ​​me as an actress and as a technician,” said Calvert.

Calvert said when they first read the script, they were surprised at how similar she and Maisie are.

“I’m a certain kind of queer,” Calvert said. “I don’t like sex, and that’s how my character sees things. She’s asexual. It’s interesting to see her reaction to things that happen. It’s exactly how I would react.”

Actress Lil Vasquez does lighting on some shows and has appeared on TOTR in some shows. Vasquez plays Olivia, Poole’s roommate. She said the cast and Dunlap have been great to work with.

“Joni is super coordinated and respectful and you can always count on her to help with anything. If she doesn’t have the resources, she will go out and get them,” Vasquez said.

Vasquez also enjoys working with Miller.

“Jerry has an incredible creative vision,” she said. “He brings so much depth to every single scene and when you ask him for comments, he is helpful and honest.”

“Insertion” begins June 6 and ends June 22 at the Theater on the Ridge, 3735 Neal Road in Paradise, 530-877-5760. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.totr.org. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinees are June 9, 16 and 23 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $16 general admission and $18 for reserved seating. There will be an opening night champagne reception following the show, which is complimentary if tickets are purchased in advance. Discounted tickets are not available for the opening night. Tickets are $14 for discounted tickets at the Thursday evening box office and at the Sunday matinees.