One-woman Carbondale show rings true (though it's about sex, not doorbells)

CARBONDALE — “This is what it takes to please me.”

When it comes to sex, we would all be better off if we could just say it.

That’s how Cindy Pierce feels about it, anyway. On paper, the 42-year-old innkeeper, wife and mother of three seems an unlikely advocate of zesty, lifelong sex.

Perhaps that’s what makes her message so powerful.

For the last four years, Pierce has been the voice of “Finding the Doorbell,” a one-woman show that is drop-dead honest about all matters sexual. This year, she and co-author Edie Thys Morgan put out a book of the same name. In both, Pierce uses her own embarrassments, insights and surprises to shed light on subjects that many find difficult to discuss.

“If you can’t use your words, you better move their hands and put it where you want it,” she said, laughing, during a recent phone interview.

Yes, she was talking about sex, and yes, she was talking about orgasms — in a frank, not titillating, tone.

“I need to express everything,” she explained. “I just have to vent it to process it.”

If that means talking about menstrual periods and birth control, libidos and hair removal, so be it. If it means traveling to colleges and theaters throughout the country, even better. Regardless of where she is, Pierce said, her work matters. That’s because she sees the same problems everywhere. In sex, men want direction, but are afraid to appear incompetent. Women would love to direct, but don’t want their man to feel bad.

Pierce is directing traffic.

“They’re just so grateful that I’m up there, saying this, speaking for them,” she said of her audience. “This is a need.”

Though she never planned it this way, it’s a need Pierce is happy to fill. An expressive, fast talker, she touched on the “incident-ridden” life that brought her to this point.

The youngest of seven children, she grew up watching the comings and goings at her family’s inn in Etna, N.H. Even as a youngster, she was attuned to the human drama around her, among her siblings and the inn’s guests. Pierce actually started taking notes, she said, not knowing where they would lead her. As an adult, she was a ski racer, a theater major, a school teacher and, finally, an innkeeper. She was also a natural performer without a stage.

Until a few years ago, that is. Pierce was hanging out with a group of old skiing buddies — women a shade older then she. They got to talking, and she got to sharing, and her humor and candor blew them away. Though Pierce had no free time to speak of, the group pushed her into performing. What started as small show at her inn (which she now runs) soon moved to a sold-out gig at the nearby Lebanon Opera House. That was 2005, and in years since, she’s performed about 20 more times.

While her show might sound like a bit of tough sell, she insists her subject matter is more universal than people might realize. After all, who doesn’t have issues surrounding sex?

“In this culture, this American culture, I can go anywhere and people will get it,” she said.

On Thursday, “anywhere” is Carbondale. In addition to presenting her show at Dos Gringos Burritos, Pierce will introduce her book with Morgan. While her performance is geared toward anyone adult enough to watch, she said, she has a special message for couples: “Sustainable sex” is possible — even after years of marriage (16 years, in Pierce’s case).

“I know it’s good for my soul. I know it’s good for my body. I know it’s good for my relationship,” she said.

ssieg@postindependent.com

‘Finding the Doorbell’ <b>Who:</b> Cindy Pierce, performing her one-woman show, “Finding the Doorbell.” Co-author Edie Thys Morgan will be on-hand to present their book “Finding the Doorbell: Sexual Satisfaction for the Long Haul.” <b>When:</b> Thursday at 8 p.m. at Dos Gringos Burritos, 588 Highway 133, Carbondale. <b>Cost:</b> $10 <b>More info:</b> www.cindy-pierce.com