Review
Christine Jorgensen Reveals
Dodger Stages
January 21, 2006
by VanLoan
vanloan@nyconstage.org
Before there was such a thing as gender politics or gender studies at universities; a young man in the Bronx knew he was actually a woman trapped in a man's body. This was in 1945 and his name was George Jorgensen, Jr. After serving in the U.S. Army for two years; he came across information in the local medical library about hormone therapy and sex change operations in Denmark. He flew to Copenhagen and in 1952 after having his sex organs removed became the world's first transsexual.
At the time, his fame was unprecedented. Although the fame was of the tabloid variety, Christine (the name George took) became a role model for gender reassignment. Among the many newspaper, radio and TV (then in its infancy) spots she did, Christine was interviewed by Nipsey Russell for the fledgling NBC network. The teletape is the basis of Christine Jorgensen Reveals.
The actor Bradford Louryk (who also conceived the piece) plays Christine. Actually, he lip-syncs the above mentioned interview with Rob Grace doing the same for Mr. Russell. Mr. Grace's presence is presented through a vintage television set of the time. Mr. Louryk does an admirable job in making us feel that Christine has finally achieved an inner peace with her transformation. She comes across as the epitome of 1950's dignified femininity. It is Mr. Russell who comes across as rather louche. His questions such as to whether Miss Jorgensen had the private parts which were removed saved for 'posterity' are rather disconcerting to say the least. It is to Mr. Grace's credit that he does not look down upon his character; although you can feel Mr. Russell looking for the cheap laugh. At 85 minutes, the performance piece is able to catch a glimpse of truly remarkable achievement by a brave person ahead of his/her time.
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