The play is directed by Jerry Douglas, a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Free Speech Coalition.
“When I first read the script, I felt that it was the most commercial script I had ever been given,” Douglas told XBIZ. “First off, it has a name-brand story, and in addition it has well-drawn, interesting characters, a riveting plot — [‘Deep Throat’ male performer Harry] Reems was the first actor in history to be arrested on obscenity charges.”
In addition, Douglas said the play features a lot of comedy, racy moments, “a certain amount of nudity” and a lot to say about the 1st Amendment and censorship.
“There's something for everyone — well, at least for every adult — in this production. It's a painlessly powerful civics lesson in the guise of a sex comedy. I hope that audiences will be titillated, will be amused, and on the way home will stop to think about its serious underpinnings.”
Douglas said that “The Deep Throat Sex Scandal” takes a different approach in telling the story of the historic adult film by focusing on Reems.
“The story of ‘Deep Throat’ has been told many times, almost always from Linda Lovelace's point of view, and even now there is talk of a new film to star Lindsay Lohan, if she ever gets it together to make another film,” Douglas said. “So, when I was given the script, I thought it was a refreshing change to look at those landmark events through Harry's eyes.”
In the play’s script, Reems says "Y'know, memories are slippery little buggers. They're bound to be distorted by time and personal bias — but they're as close to the truth as I can get. So. This is how I remember those years."
Douglas said that more than 11 hours were spent interviewing Reems for the play. Working as a journalist in 1976, Douglas had the opportunity to interview Reems within weeks of his return from Memphis, where he was indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute obscenity across state lines.[
“Being a packrat, I found that I had saved the tapes, and his comments spoken on those tapes have further enriched the play,” he said. “This is Harry's show all the way.”
He said viewers can expect a production filled with thought-provoking ideas peppered with humor.
One of the play’s taglines is “Sometimes, freedom is hard to swallow.”
“The Deep Throat Sex Scandal” beginning performances start Sept. 17 at 45 Bleecker Street Theatre. For more information, visit DeepThroatThePlay.com.
