“I’ve learned that people who say that they hate whores hate WOMEN. There is a slipperiness between ‘whore’ and ‘woman’ that is woven into our oldest stories…”

Throughout The Oldest Profession, the solo show by comedian, writer, and activist Kaytlin Bailey, the performer links the history of sex workers with the status of women throughout history, from the beginning of time right on through to just yesterday. Of course, there’s more than just gender inequality that has a say in this story.  Economic status and religion also have significant roles in Bailey’s historical drama.  Directed by Katherine Wilkinson, Bailey’s lively one-woman piece is perhaps the most unique theater experience hitting the stage today. Bailey, now 39, is a former sex worker herself, and she’s an ardent advocate for the decriminalization of sex work.  The Oldest Profession, which played for one sold-out night at New York City’s The PIT Loft, is smart, funny, and more important than ever was we enter 2026.  Students of human sexuality and/or women’s studies will be intrigued and enlightened by the exploration of, as Bailey promises, “10,000 years of history from a sex worker’s perspective”— in a tight 70 minutes.  The show touches upon everything from the origin of the word “whore” to something very current: the recent legislation which was supposed to fight against sex trafficking, but of which the only marked effect was pushing the consensual sex work industry even further underground. Self-righteous moral crusades masquerading as protecting the innocent? Get ready, because Bailey covers an awful lot of that in her show. The audience will also learn about the “white slavery panic”, which was a moral panic around the late 19th/early 20th centuries concerning the forced prostitution and trafficking of young white women.  As you may have guessed by now, any shreds of possible well-meaning concern were often exchanged for finding new ways to further oppress women as well as other minority groups alike. As you also may have guessed by now, The Oldest Profession decidedly (and thankfully) does NOT shy away from any controversial issues. Indeed, the whole subject of decriminalization of sex work can itself be deemed controversial– but if anyone is going to present some motivation for smartly exploring the subject, then Kaytlin Bailey is the right woman for the job. 

In between ancient and modern times, many famous women are spoken about in Bailey’s show– from Ishtar, the goddess of love and war “who was born a virgin every morning and went to bed a whore every night”; to Lilith (who appeared in Jewish folklore as Adam’s “first wife”); to Eve (Adam’s more submissive spouse, who nevertheless would be “blamed for all human suffering”…); to Mary Magdalene (who, Bailey clarifies, was NOT a sex worker.); and many others. In addition to those interested in human sexuality and women’s history, The Oldest Profession will also appeal to the intellectual interests of anyone in the fields of  American history, law, and/or LGBTQ+ studies.  (As Ms. Bailey points out, “Sex workers and the queer community have always been in this together same spaces.” Bailey even gives a shoutout to the trans women sex workers who helped amplify the visibility of and issues concerning sex workers in general.)

There are many serious issues explored in The Oldest Profession,  but the most important thing to know is that it’s always entertaining and, on occasion, achingly provocative. When the charismatic, sassy Bailey chooses to be funny, it’s hilarious AF. Ms. Bailey weaves her own personal stories into the subject matter at large, and it really works.  The show is especially enlivened by such visual adornments such as vintage photographs, artwork, and campy visual effects. Speaking of personal: Maybe it’s just the choice of shows I have reviewed, but  I estimate that about 95% of the bibliographical or semi-biographical works that I’ve seen have focused on the artist’s relationship with their mothers. Fathers, if mentioned at all, are either remembered negatively or are pointed out as having been absent altogether.  The Oldest Profession is unique in that it significantly explores the atist’s relationship with her father, whom she admired greatly.  Her father was a Vietnam veteran who embodied– in colloquial terms– traditionally American masculine ideals. Using one of her father’s own, shall we say, “coming of age” experiences as an example, Bailey explores the long-running double standards of male versus female sexuality, which still persist long after Phryne was the toast of ancient Athens… 

So… back to covering 10,000 years from a sex worker’s perspective.  (1) Isn’t that overly ambitious?  (2) Does she succeed? The answers are (1) yes, and (2) yes! The Oldest Profession is is highly recommended.

There is an encore performance of The Oldest Profession in New York City on Sunday, February 8th at 8:30 PM ET at The PIT Loft,154 W 29th St., New York City… as well as a national tour. See more at ww.TheOldestProfession.org