The following are show synopses from Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside County's IMAGES Theatre, copied unedited from the theater's Web site. The shows are performed by teenagers before high-school classes and assemblies, for students as young as 14. Your comments are appreciated. Please do not use profanity or obscenity. Thank you.
Little Red in Sex Forest (birth control) 20 minutes
Little Red Riding Hood is going to her boyfriend’s house. Though her parent encourages her to stick to Abstinence Road, she gets tempted by the Trees and takes the route through Sex Forest, trying to avoid Conception Cliff. Along the way, Red is misinformed by the Old Lady who lives in the shoe, steered on the right track by fairyland Yogic Birth Control Crew, and educated by gynecologists Drs. Goldilocks and Gretel, all the while being pursued by the Big Bad Sperm. Red finally evades the Big Bad Sperm’s grasp in the Magic Drugstore with the help of her Fairy Godmother. During her travels, and before reaching her boyfriend’s house, Red learns about the various methods and uses of birth control, and the importance of using birth control correctly, consistently, and cooperatively.
Primary Messages:
1. Abstinence is the only 100% method for avoiding pregnancy and STIs.
2. Birth Control is necessary for avoiding pregnancy.
3. Various methods of birth control are introduced: Barrier methods (diaphragm, cervical cap, and male and female condoms), hormonal methods (the pill, the patch, the ring, and the Depo-Provera shot), spermicides (foams, film, and inserts). Condoms are the only method of birth control that can also prevent the transmission of STIs.
4. When you choose to have sex make sure you are emotionally ready to do so and be prepared to use the birth control method that works best for both partners. It is important to be able to discuss Birth control methods with your partner and use the method consistently, correctly, and cooperatively.
Summer Lovin' (sexually transmitted diseases) 15 minutes
The scene is a loosely based parody of “Grease.” Sandy and Danny spent a great summer together, which included having unprotected sex. Their friends warn them that it wasn’t such a good idea and that now they may have contracted an STI. Sandy worries and falls asleep after singing “Hope I’m Not Infected,” feeling anxious about her actions. She has a dream in which her friends have transformed into the Bacterial Babes and tell her all about bacterial STI’s she may have contracted. The boys, better known as the Viral Vultures, sing about how viral infections, that never go away, may be transmitted even when using the mega-condom “Greased Lightnin’.” She also dreams that Danny has HIV and didn’t know about it and now she may be infected as well. She wakes up, greatly relieved that it’s all been a dream. When she sees Danny at a party they make a decision to slow things down. Singing a final song, “We’ll Go Together,” they agree to go to the clinic to get tested for STIs.
Primary message:
1. The play addresses the symptoms, treatment, and information on various bacterial and viral STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, genital warts and HIV/AIDS.
2. If planning on engaging in sexual behavior, you must use condoms to avoid getting an STI.
3. Go to the clinic to get tested.
4. The best form of protection is abstinence.
