York Theatre to present second reading of Arturo's Window, the larger-than-life story of John Jerome

[queen of sheba]

Posted: 10/26/07 at 11:57am

The York Theatre Company, James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director, as part of its Developmental Reading Series, and Jeff Landsman, Series Coordinator, presents Arturo s Window at 7:30 on Tuesday, December 11, 2007. The reading will take place at The York Theatre Company, The Theatre at Saint Peter's Church, 54th Street just east of Lexington Avenue, NYC. Admission is free but reservations are necessary. Tickets will be available the end of October and can be obtained by contacting Jeff Landsman ([e-mail]) or calling 212-935-5824, ext. 24.

This play was presented at the York in May 2007 to a standing room only crowd. The writers, Cheryl King and Rod Menzies, have spent the last few months doing rewrites, and both they and Jim Morgan expect the latest version to be the last step before a full production.
The cast will include Tom Gualtieri, Cheryl King, Katie Northlich, Paul Belger, Leicester Landon, plus two others to be announced. Bobby Belfry will sing the nine original songs. Composer/lyricist John Mercurio may unveil a 10th song for the play.

The play is based on original material, provided by John Loan, corporate party planner, who was convicted for embezzling $4 million from a major NYC-based investment company in 2002, and has since served his time and been released from prison.

During the years of his crime, he not only spent large amounts of time and money caring for AIDS patients, including his personal friends, but he also formed Jerome Records. That company produced CD’s for many of New York’s most well-known cabaret artists. The New Yorker soon dubbed him the "King of Cabaret."

When John was arrested, more than 230 newspapers around the world carried the story. While in Rikers awaiting trial, he received over 20,000 pieces of mail, and was solicited for interviews by countless newspaper, magazine and television reporters. He chose not to speak to the press, and numerous errors made their way into print.

The play unfolds as John approaches documentary film maker Cheryl King to tell his story. As Cheryl delves into the remarkable events that led to John’s downfall, his stories spring to life on stage through the actors. One astonishing episode follows another, as Cheryl explores the motives behind John's theft and uncovers truths he is sometimes unwilling to face.

In the four months since the first reading of the play, John Jerome has begun the process of forming WOCHA, Women of Color Health Awareness, a support organization for those struggling with AIDS, Hep C, and domestic abuse. He has given talks at Rikers Island, women’s shelters, churches, and many other groups working on the issues that the play addresses.

For more info, visit www.arturoswindow.com

Arturo's Window