HERPES: A LOVE STORY Breaks Out at Hollywood Fringe 2017

After her first time at age 14, Cherise Pascual was addicted to sex. At age 32, she was diagnosed as an Asymptomatic Carrier for herpes. Despite it being a non-fatal disease stemming from nothing more than the folly of youth, the shame, depression, negative self-image and other ramifications of contracting herpes nearly killed her. Her journey through living with the disease, and the addictions, psychological trauma and self-loathing that came with it, is a story that needs to be told...in Cherry's own...ahem...special way.

Pascual is bringing her solo show Herpes: A Love Story to Studio/Stage for the Hollywood Fringe this June. Herpes: A Love Story is a multimedia extravaganza that features voice overs, musical parodies, audience interaction and at least one dance fueled by clouds of "cocaine." It's a unique survival story that confronts a subject that's relatable to anyone who is, has been, or might be sexually active...but plays out in a loud, energetic cavalcade of sex, self-discovery and inspiration. Think The Vagina Monologues meets Point Break Live. Though somewhat raunchy and, at times, "raw as hell," it respects the boundaries of good taste while helping to educate as well as remove some of the stigma that goes along with this particular disease. In the end, this festive and bold solo show preaches self-love and responsibility and respect to yourself and others. According to Pascual, "I make herpes fun."

It's a twist on the solo show experience with giant Q-tips, a super soaker, a mid-show Q&A and much, much more. While she can now lend her own brand of twisted humor to her tale, that wasn't always the case and Pascual shares her struggles of living with the disease in her show as well.

"It killed my dating life or any hope I ever had of finding a mate," she said. "When you have a disease, you become the disease and when people learn you have herpes, they treat you like shit. This show is about my real life experience."

Even though she's a carrier, she doesn't get outbreaks, which for most would make life with the disease easier. But Pascual is a hypochondriac and was pre-med, so she knew a little too much about how infectious diseases spread. Coming to grips with the disease took her through depression, feelings of isolation, a cocaine habit, an obsession with weight and body image, a masturbation addiction and more.

Along the way, she also attended the American Film Institute Conservatory, earning an MFA in Screenwriting. Her thesis Jonestown received several awards on the film circuit and she's continued writing as well as acting. Once she met her director, acclaimed solo show artist and director Jessica Lynn Johnson, she knew she had a show. Herpes: A Love Story is a story of survival that was born when she began to break free from her chains and discover her real self.

"I've heard people say solo shows are masturbatory, and while I don't believe this, if I did, then Herpes: A Love Story would play out like a masturbation scene narrated by Woody Allen...if he were pockmarked and Filipina. My hope is to have fun teaching people that you don't have to worry about finding love when you already love yourself."

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit: www.hff17.org/4504