25th Anniversary Production of JERKER Set For November 8th-20th

Producer Jason Moyer has announced the 25th anniversary production of Jerker, or the Helping Hand: A Pornographic Elegy with Redeeming Social Value and a Hymn to the Queer Men of San Francisco in Twenty Phone Calls, Many of them Dirty at Space 916 in Hollywood, opening on Friday, November 4 and running through November 20 only.

Jerker takes place in the early 1980s, and traces the relationship that develops between a disabled Vietnam veteran (J.R.) and a businessman (Bert). Although they "meet" only through a series of telephone calls, they grow from being phone sex buddies to caring friends. The play runs the gamut from erotic to emotionally charged. The term "Jerker" is an amalgam of masturbation and tear jerker. Robert Chesley wrote the play because he believed it was of vital importance to fight the stigma against sex that AIDS had created, and to remove the mark of shame from which gay men suffer.

The original production of Jerker premiered at Celebration Theatre on October 24, 1986 under the direction of Michael Kearns, and featured David Stebbins and Joe Fraser in the two lead roles. Since that time, the play has come to be considered one of the most important pieces of gay theatre ever created.

Directed by Glenn Kessler, the cast of Jerker will feature (in alphabetical order) Corey-Adam Affron, Gregory Allen, Gregory Barnett, Ben Cuevas, Parnell Damone, Sammy Murrian, and Mike Rose. Lighting design is by Michael Jackson, and sound design is by Purple Crush.

Jerker is set to open on Friday, November 4 at 8pm, and performances will continue on Friday and Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 7pm, through November 20 only. Admission is $20, and tickets may be purchased by visiting www.jerker25.com or by calling (323) 418-2583. Space 916 is located at 916 Formosa Avenue in Hollywood, 90046.