Ain Gordon
1972: Dr. John Fryer dons an oversize tuxedo and rubber joke shop mask to become Dr. Henry Anonymous and confront the American Psychiatric Association with these words: “I am a homosexual, I am a psychiatrist.” This new play combs Fryer’s 217-box archive, unearthing three figures from his life; asking each to draw a portrait of the man behind the mask.
This is the culmination of a two year project AN ARTIST EMBEDDED, led by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and three time Obie winning writer/director Ain Gordon.
“217 Boxes” is co-production of Ain Gordon’s Pick Up Performance Co(s), Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and the Painted Bride Art Center.
“Mr. Gordon conjures the sort of distant lives that don’t make it into textbooks, processed into oblivion by what he calls history’s “ruthless editing machine.” –The New York Times
Major support for An Artist Embedded has been provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.
