LOS ANGELES—The Deep Throat Sex Scandal, a new play by David Bertolino about the making of the groundbreaking 1970s pornographic film Deep Throat, the subsequent controversy surrounding the film that ignited the sexual revolution—and how, due to its immense popularity, obscenity laws were eventually changed allowing all films to more freely explore adult themes and content—is having its West Coast Premiere at the Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA, in a six-week engagement, now running through March 3.
AVN reporter Mark Kernes reviewed the play here.
The production announced today that porn veteran Tom Byron will replace Ron Jeremy, who is unable to appear due to his recent illness. Byron takes over the role of Judge Steven Weisman for the weekend of February 14-17. Byron succeeds Christian Mann previously announced as Jeremy’s replacement, as Mann is now unable to appear.
Tom Byron is an American pornographic actor and director. Byron was also voted #20 in AVN's top 50 porn stars of all time. Byron first started acting in hardcore films in May 1982, and continued to perform mostly in roles portraying the young schoolboy or "coming of age" scenarios, as he resembled a teenager even though he was in his early to mid 20s. He starred alongside the underage Traci Lords in many films including her porn debut in early 1984, What Gets Me Hot!. He was also said to have had an ongoing off-screen relationship with Lords, though he later downplayed their relationship. In August 2002, Byron announced his retirement from performing to focus on his directing career, but in the fall of 2005, after just three years, he returned to performing.
Award-winning adult film writer-director Jerry Douglas directs the production, and it features different guest cast members each week: Nina Hartley and Christopher Knight (February 7-10); and now Georgina Spelvin and Tom Byron (February 14-17). Adult film stars Veronica Hart and Herschel Savage are part of the on-going, eight-actor company.
The Deep Throat Sex Scandal tells the true story of Herb Streicher, who became Harry Reems, and his legendary co-star Linda Lovelace, following the strange and bizarre journey of the creation of the movie, its impact on audiences (it is said to have grossed more than $600 million, and is possibly the most profitable movie of all time) and on films and American culture, and the subsequent raids, arrests and banning of the film. It then becomes Reems’ story, about how the actor himself was put on trial for obscenity, though not the director, producer, or distributor.
The trial stands as one of the great battles against censorship in modern American history, taken up by Alan Dershowitz, helping to expand the career of one of America’s best-known attorneys. At the time, Hollywood stars such as Warren Beatty and Jack Nicholson rallied against the censorship of Deep Throat and came to Reems’ defense, fearing that the U.S. government would censor mainstream films next, once it got a taste of banning films for their content.
The Deep Throat Sex Scandal contains adult themes and nudity; no one 18 or under will be admitted. Tickets are available online here or by calling 800-838-3006. Special Guilty Pleasures premium-priced packages are also available. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m.. Valet parking available.
Pictured, l-r: Veronica Hart and Natasha Charles Parker
