According to Lincoln Center's new LCT3 project at its slogan, it takes "New Audiences for New Artists." It also takes new critics, hence the establishment of Theater Talk's New Theater Corps in 2005, a way for up-and-coming theater writers and eager new theatergoers to get exposure to the ever-growing theater scene in New York City. Writers for the New Theater Corps are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the off-off and off-Broadway theater scene, learning and giving back high-quality reviews at the same time. Driven by a passion and love of the arts, the New Theater Corps aims to identify, support, and grow the arts community, one show and one person at a time.

Monday, January 09, 2006

Review: "Christine Jorgensen Reveals," by Dane Harrington Joseph

How did the most famous woman in America fade into obscurity? It’s hard to imagine such a thing being possible, but that was exactly what happened to Christine Jorgensen, a New York man who in the 1950’s went to Denmark and came back the woman everyone wanted to know. Entering the theater, I had no idea who Christine Jorgensen was, but, as the evening progressed, I felt as if I should have. It amazed me that no one really mentions this fascinating woman much anymore. Luckily, for one month at Dodger Stages, she can finally live again and tell her story.

In Christine Jorgensen Reveals, Bradford Louryk, who also conceived the piece, lipsynchs the only recorded interview Jorgensen ever did. Throughout the 50 minute performance, we come to know a cosmopolitan woman whose candid intellect and retro ideas seem too complex for 1950s America. In fact, Jorgensen’s keen wit clashes with the interviewers ‘50’s mentality to create several moments of high hilarity throughout the evening. Louryk’s intricate portrayal of Jorgensen is astonishing; he lipsynchs the performance so fluidly that after awhile you forget that he’s not speaking. Much praise, also, to director Josh Hecht who has made this seated, one-man show captivating from start to finish.

The Bottom Line: If you’re looking for fascinating insight into a revolutionary mind that time has forgot, you’ll be doing yourself a disservice if you do not run to see Christine Jorgensen Reveals before January 28th.

Dodger Stages
340 West 50th Street
New York, NY 10019
Tickets: 212-239-6200


Schedule:Thursday 8:00pm / Friday 8:00pm / Saturday 8:00pm

Opening Date:
December 28, 2005

Closing Date:
January 28, 2006

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