THE STORY: The subjective nature of truth within sexual relationships is the theme of this play about college life in modern-day America. The self-absorbed lives of a group of students at a small New England college are disrupted when they’re suddenly forced to deal with a crisis: Philosophy professor Whitey McCoy is accused of seducing a male student, Jack Kahn. Both Whitey and Jack tell the story, each from their conflicting memories, leaving everybody in doubt as to what is true. This alleged sexual harassment story is mixed with slices of student life as everybody gossips, takes sides, and eventually forgets all about Whitey and Jack. The students are too busy drinking, smoking pot, and trying to sort out their romantic longings and sexual obsessions as they try to come of age within the intimate hotbed setting of a contemporary college campus, with all of its confused trials, anxious tribulations, pressures, compromises and politically incorrect dangers.
An elite liberal arts college in New England reels when a beloved, eccentric professor is charged with sexually harassing a disturbed male student.
“…a light comedy with dark undertones about everyday college life in the 1990s…Mr. Sherman’s voice is too fresh to be caged into standard, hand-me-down dramaturgy.” —The New York Times.
“…an authentic flavor of life on campus in the 90s…with superbly realistic dialogue and believable characters brought to vivid life…” —UPI.
“…talent and promise are apparent in [Sherman’s] SOPHISTRY. The perceptiveness, the sharp ear for the comedy in everyday speech, the willingness to tackle rough subjects are all present in this play…Sherman’s talent and intelligence inspire hope.” —New York Daily News.
