Tyrannosaurus Sex (and other truths) takes the audience on a journey that begins millions of years ago and arrives at the present day. We follow a lead character from a time of reptiles to the various stages of growth that brings us to adulthood–all on a path marked by chaos, passion and growing consciousness. 

With drama, humor and song, the production recalls the joyful, light moments of early childhood mixed with darker scenes of sadness, confusion and loss. We watch the lead character confront those day-to-day events that shape us, take away our innocence and confound our best intentions. And see emerging growth and self-acceptance as well.

Live music from an ensemble of musicians will amplify and illuminate this coming-of-age story. A few of the original songs are jazz/blues oriented. Music accompanies the spoken dramatic scenes, heightening mood and emotion. Colorful, changing multimedia images will fill an entire wall of the theater and provide further context and content. 

“The production attempts to depict our universal desires, passions or life energy– those ever-changing forces shared by all life through all of time. It’s the energy that pushes green shoots out of the ground, gets us out of bed every morning and keeps the adrenaline flowing,” writer and director Ira Liss explained. 

Commenting on the title of the production, Liss continued, “It’s fun to open the show with a tyrannosaurus character. The idea of a giant reptile brings something monumental or mythic to the stage.” He added with a smile, “Also, you don’t see a lot of articulate, passionate dinosaurs speaking onstage that often. It could be memorable.”

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Actors, musicians and dancers include: Katie Cross, Graham Emmons, Jeremy Jarvis, Connor DeFehr, Henry Dills, Celene Cooper, Stephanie Lee and others. Raechel Sherwood is assistant director. Katie Key is directing dance. Most performers are connected to CU’s College of Music and the Department of Theatre and Dance.