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Porn star makes Off-Broadway debut

Porn star Jack Wrangler made his Off Broadway debut Wednesday, April 16. in "T-SHIRTS," playing opposite author Robert Patrick. A three-character comedy about the gay generation gap. "T-SHIRTS" has been a consistent hit in a string of showcase productions across the country in the last 18 months; this will be its first commercial production anywhere.

Commenting on the choice of "T-SHIRTS," which has garnered critical raves from coast to coast, producer Lawrence Lane said "T-SHIRTS" makes you laugh till it hurts because it's about a painful subject: life. Patrick shows

how wit and humor and laughter can help you cope and survive and keep moving. What other people do with sparklers and firecrackers, he does with language.

As Wrangler's fans can attest, it would be difficult to count the number of films he has made and the number of magazines in which he has appeared. Although his reputation has been earned as a porn star, Jack Wrangler has a long theatrical career--originally as an Emmy award-winning child actor and later as a leading man and director. In T-SHIRTS" Wrangler plays the role of Kink, the younger of two roommates, a

part the author originally said requires an actor who, appropriately enough, "must be hung." Author Robert Patrick, age 43, is remarkably prolific: 32 of his plays have been published. Many have been performed around the world, and perhaps the best known internationally is his drama "KENNEDY'S CHILDREN." As an actor, Patrick made his New York debut in his own play "THE HAUNTED HOST" at the Caffe Cino. The role of Marvin in "T-SHIRTS" is of special interest because it is largely autobiographical. Students of theatre have already been quick to point out that this production offers the rare chance to see a

playwright performing himself on stage.

Dale Merchant, age 21, made his professional debut in "T. SHIRTS." The casting call for "the most beautiful boy in America" drew over a hundred actors to try-outs, and Dale Merchant was chosen to play the role of Tom, the awkward young man who enters the roommates' lives. Merchant is a graduate of Southern Methodist University.

The following are typical of critics' comments on "TSHIRTS:" "One of the funniest plays you'll ever see." (SoHo Weekly News) "Brilliant, devastating." (Christopher Street) "Taut, witty. Sparkling epigrams,

'The Body Politic' back in court

(Continued from Page 4)

Ferguson also set down what he said was the proper approach which a court (presumably on a new trial) should follow in deciding whether any part of the relevant issue of TBP is immoral or indecent. He said the court should first determine the contemporary Canadian standards of decency and morality on an objective basis, using the ordinary meanings to those words, and then assess the particular issue of TBP and determine whether it or any part. of it is either indecent or immoral. "With the greatest of respect, the learned trial judge did not follow this procedure," Ferguson said.

Because he decided to order a new trial, Ferguson said "it would appear inappropriate and

untimely for me to deal with" any of the submissions made by lan Scott, counsel for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. Scott had argued that the section of the Criminal Code used to charge TBP should be struck down as inoperative because it contravened guarantees of freedom of speech and freedom of the press contained in the Canadian Bill of Rights.

Presumably because of his decision to order a new trial, Ferguson did not discuss TBP itself, the issue charged or the particular article at the centre of the controversy. His only. observation about the magazine was that TBP, like Penthouse, had aparticular market, audience and "a theme of sorts," but that this was true of "virtually all kinds of magazines" and was not really

relevant to the case because the question of theme arises only "in relation to a novel or similar literary work which must, of necessity, be judged in a different manner than a magazine, whatever thematic character the latter type of publication may possess."

TBP counsel Ruby was bitterly disappointed by the judgment. "He can't be right. This decision is a disaster for freedom of the press. The decision leaves the law on immorality as vague as, if not more vague than, it already is. I think that's pretty bad. Judge. Ferguson still hasn't told us what immorality and indecency are. We still have the situation where you can commit a serious crime and not have the vaguest idea what immoral and indecent mean in law."

The overwhelming consensus of those present at a March 6 community meeting of gays concerned about the case was that Ferguson's judgment should that be appealed to the Ontario Court of Appeal, the province's highest court, as Ruby had strongly recommended. Defendants Gerald Hannon, Ed Jackson, and Ken Popert agreed, and Ruby announced the launching of the appeal the following day. He said he hoped the case could be heard by June 1980.

The Ontario Court of Appeal sits in panels of three or occasionally five judges. It could confirm Ferguson's decision that a new trial should be held, or it could decide that any errors of law made by the trial judge were not of sufficient magnitude to necessitate a new trial. The Court of Appeal's decision could be appealed by either the Crown or the accused to the Supreme Court of Canada, but only if three judges of the latter court first granted leave to appeal.

"We felt we simply had to

and one-liners. (Just L.A.) "Very funny." (L.A. Times) "Astute, perceptive and almost frighteningly straight forward. There are few plays that represent our lives in so entertaining and chilling a fashion." (B.A.R., San francisco) "Not only funny but thoughtprovoking as well. Stunning." (Bay Area Guardian) "Giddy delight, right on the button." (Minneapolis Tribune) "A very funny play. As much about society in general as about gayness." (St. Paul Dispatch) "An appealing, structurally sound work with anger and sadness at its core." (Minneapolis Daily) "Funny, moving and wonderful." (The Advocate)

appeal Ferguson's decision," defendant Gerald Hannon explained. "His ruling that a single passage in an article or magazine. taken out of context, can make a magazine immoral or indecent, is frightening. It's abroad and dangerous threat to freedom of the press for everyone, not just for us.

"We feel we have a responsibility to raise controversial issues and to continue to publish the kind of journalism represented by "Men Loving Boys Loving Men," he added. "If Ferguson's judgment isn't challenged no one in this country will be able to discuss sensitive topics at all without the threat of prosecution."

No date has yet been set for the hearing of the appeal. A second Crown appeal of another decision of Judge Harris ordering that TBP's sezied materials be returned to it by the police is still pending in Country Court and no date has been set for argument of that matter either.

Courtesy of THE BODY POLITIC

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Resources for gay alcoholics

MADISON, WI The special needs of lesbians and gay men with drinking problems have been largely ignored by alcohol and other drug abuse agencies. Although a gay orientation in no direct way causes alcoholism, drinking problems are common in the gay community. Accurate figures are difficult to obtain, but it is estimated that up to one out of three gay people has problems with alcohol. It is likely that two major factors contribute to the problem of gay alcoholism:

1) personal pressure on the gay individual as a result of society's hostility toward and rejection of homosexuality.

2) a lack of alternatives to bars as a place for gays to socialize and be themselves.

Recognizing that gay alcoholism is a problem the Wisconsin

Clearinghouse has published Lesbians, Gay Men and Their Alcohol and Other Drug Use: Resources. This pamphlet annotates some of the few articles, pamphlets and films available on this subject. It was written for several diverse groups, including alcoholism counselors, members of the gay community concerned with this issue, and anyone interested in developing a better understanding of lesbians and gay men.

Lesbians, Gay Men and Their Alcohol and Other Drug Use: Resources, by Susan Christenson and Gayle Ihlenfeld, 1980 (15 pp.), is available through the Wisconsin Clearinghouse, 1954 E. Washington Ave., Madison WI 53704. for 35¢ plus 25¢ for mailing and handling.

courtesy of GCN

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