20211204 Jane portraitEnter Sarah Lyydia Puukka as Jane Driscoll, an old, colorful friend of Lorenzo DelaGato’s who’s coming, albeit with the help of liquid courage, to The Reading on a romantic mission.

When asked what her favorite line as Jane is, Sarah refers without hesitation to a line that gets to the core of Jane like none other: “I recognized those lines that made my loins burn with a holy fire!”

Jane is a woman full of heart, and in getting to explore this woman’s deeply rooted intentions that Sarah finds her favorite moment in the play being when Jane gives in to the greatest love of them all. Her fifth marriage is near, she can feel it!

Our eager lover may have plenty of history amongst the wealthy, but she’s not very particular when it comes to the hotels she chooses to spend her time in. When queried about her choice of hotels, her response was: Whatever has a fabulous bar.

When you have this much passion in you (or your loins for that matter), writing erotica must come like second nature. Be on the lookout, as Jane may one day make her imagined erotic novel, A Flaming Desire In The Midnight Moonlight, a reality—in stores never.

Her thoughts on the Hollydae’In: I absolutely love that drinks are free, although gin isn't my favorite drink. (You hear that, bartender?)

Photo: Jaakko Nikkilä
Text: Salvador Esparza & Sarah Lyydia Puukka

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20211203 Fred portraitAn erotic literature reading event has a very specific target demographic, and in the case of Lorenzo DelaGato, it’s Frederick Rosewater, as played by the ever lovable Arnaud Praplan.

Fred, as he is casually known, really upholds the integrity and artistry of sensual writing, and this resonates with Arnaud, whose favorite line is: “Please Peg, it's "erotic literature".

Our beloved Fred goes through quite the arc in our story—I mean what could be more nerve wrecking and life changing than meeting your hero with your wife at your side on your 10-year wedding anniversary? Arnaud describes his favorite scene as the moment when Fred is telling Lorenzo what's what and where's where! And not to be forgotten, the moment he shares with his wife just thereafter, off-stage. Get your mind out of the gutter, this is a family show*.

Delving into the psyche of the obsessed fan, Arnaud believes that if Fred were to have to identify with a specific hotel chain, Fred would primarily identify with whichever hotel chain Lorenzo DelaGato also identified with. <3

Not to be belittled when asked what Fred’s erotic novel would be called if he were ever to write one and what his inspiration would be, Arnaud exclaims: "If? Are you kidding me? My character HAS WRITTEN his own erotic novel, thank you very much, and he is considering writing more! His first one is called Nipping in the Rosebuds and it is OF COURSE inspired by "Lorenzo DelaGato" (and a bit by Rocky Flintstone).

Ever the optimist, our Frederick gives his getaway experience at The Reading and Hollydae’in 5 stars! The Hollydae'In is the perfect venue to meet your hero! What a fantastic stay and what unforgettable memories!

*No, it isn’t.

Photo: Jaakko Nikkilä
Text: Salvador Esparza & Arnaud Praplan

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20211202 Karen portrait“I-gua-na” introduce you to Karen, a randy fan of Lorenzo’s who is on her journey of grief and looking to love again, as played by Paulina Paalama.

Being one of The Reading’s attendees with a sincere interest in meeting and hearing Lorenzo DelaGato, Paulina describes her favorite line as Karen as "..a writhing, passionate, sexual sunshine..." She really fancies particularly that part at the peak of one of her scenes, so you’ll have to come to the show and see why.

When asked about her favorite scenes as Karen, Paulina refers to a monologue in which she addresses the other woman in attendance at the Hollydae’In and a rather “satisfying” time eating toast at breakfast the day of main event.

Paulina imagines that Karen is quite the jet setter. When asked about her loyalty to a given hotel brand or chain, her immediate response is that Karen loves all of them. She gets credit card deals and flying points. She is a 40+ year old single spinster and is used to traveling everyone on vacation. With Paul of course. Same toast. Different day.

Imagining what Karen may name her erotic novel if she were to ever write one, Paulina has no doubt that her favorite line from the show would take the prize. ..A Writhing, Passionate, Sexual Sunshine... Listen, when words just come together and hit your soul like that, you capitalize!

Overall, Karen gives her stay at the Hollydae’In a probable 5 stars... because she had a rather “rewarding” weekend and her sense of judgement is most positively disturbed at the moment. Additionally, since she got to stay practically for free – thanks to her air miles – she wouldn't even complain about the toast. On that note, she misses feeding her Paul, so she wouldn't mind loading a few, or more than a few pieces of toast into her purse, and feeding them to wild tropical birds on her walk to the shore, right by that fountain and the giant statue, where Paul and she used to sit...

Photo: Jaakko Nikkilä
Text: Salvador Esparza & Paulina Paalama

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20211201 Margaret portraitWell, it’s all pretty clear now to Sophie Michaud as the lovable and understanding Margaret, who finds herself at the Hollydae’In on her 10-year wedding anniversary.

When asked what her favorite line as Margaret is, Sophie cites her confrontation with her husband, Fred. “You know I hate flying! I endured that... Just so you can have your beloved idol whisper sweet smutty nothings into your ear?” Wouldn’t we all do the same for our beloved idols?

Despite it all, Sophie is able to see the silver lining in Margaret’s experience at the Hollydae’In. Her favorite moment in the show is getting to bond over the crazy sh*t happening at the Hollydae'In with her new bestie, Matilda.

When it comes to hotels, Peg is very clear that she doesn't do hotel chains – she's "sophisticated". She only goes to the bed and breakfast, half an hour away from her house, cause she's barely ever left her hometown. No better time like the present and no better reason than The Reading to get her out of her comfort zone!

While her husband may be the real connoisseur of erotic literature, Margaret imagines she could write a book called The Rosebud: A Romance Novel, because, to be clear, erotica is NOT literature.

Overall, she’d rank her stay at the Hollydae’In a 4, but you gotta come see the show to find out ;) As Shakespeare once wrote, “All’s Well That Ends Well”.

Photo: Jaakko Nikkilä
Text: Salvador Esparza & Sophie Michaud

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Investigator portraitThe man himself, Leben Norrie, is our Investigator, otherwise formally known as, Gilmore Salmon.

A man who certainly doesn’t shy away from costumes and dressing up, Leben’s favorite line as the Investigator is: "In certain circles I would be considered quite fashionable.”

When it comes to his favorite moment in the play, Leben really enjoys his interaction with the Bellhops while they are on their break, but an extremely close second is hurling mixed insults at the author. A man of many emotions.

While reflecting on what kind of hotel is best suited for the Investigator, Leben arrives at the conclusion that a seedy run down motel you pay for by the hour would be what suits Gilmore Salmon the most. Mainly because the character seems to be leaning pretty heavy into the whole Private Eye/Gumshoe fantasy.

When asked about what Mr. Salmon’s erotic novel would be called, he reports that Fragrance of Daisy would be his masterpiece and it would be inspired by chance romances in the above mentioned by-the-hour-motel.

Although the Investigator may only be at the Hollydae’In to carry out his plan, he’d still rate the place 5 stars because it looks like it really needs the business and he may have caused quite a bit of hassle while he was there. It’s the least he could do.

Photo: Jaakko Nikkilä
Text: Salvador Esparza & Leben Norrie

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