Jerker

Or The Helping Hand

Open Space Arts continues their tribute to art dedicated to the multitude of victims who sadly lost their lives during the horrific AIDS crisis of the 1980’s. As part of their “Before We Are History, a festival of early queer voices and AIDS-era works,” the theatre has assembled several timely plays, staged readings and films that pay homage to the casualties of this cruel tragedy. JERKER is a one-act masterpiece by the late San Francisco gay activist and playwright, Robert Chesley. He began his career by writing NIGHT SWEATS, the first full-length play to deal with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In 1986, at the height of what was nicknamed “The Gay Plague,” Chesley penned JERKER, an enticing two-hander that depicts the love that evolves between Bert and JR through a series of sexual telephone calls. 

The play begins with, and continues through, twenty extremely erotic phone sex conversations. When JR makes his first call to Bert, it’s just to get each other off anonymously. But throughout repeatedly raunchy and raw pillow talks, the two young men find a true connection with one another. Whether describing intensely realistic sexual fantasies or telling each other titillating bedtime tales, JR and Bert grow close, despite never actually meeting in person. There’s a moment early in the play, however, that foreshadows the sad conclusion to Chesley’s sexually explicit drama. But it’s the profound journey to the men’s powerful love connection that’s so moving and heartbreaking that it makes the story worth the presentation.

Besides bringing back a play that honors one of the most tragic periods in gay history, what makes this production unique is that it was both directed, designed and is being performed by its two handsome stars. Jason Bowen, who may be remembered for his past work in the Chicago LGBT+ theatre community, plays Bert. And Joshua Bowen, Jason’s real-life husband, portrays Vietnam War veteran, JR. Both talented actors create a pair of realistic young men with pure honesty and palatable passion. Joshua, the initiator of the phone calls, totally gets into the stormy and sizzling sex, quickly and easily stimulating Bert and luring him into the carnal conversations. Eventually the sexual fantasies escalate into much more and audience members will identify and easily empathize with their growing intimate relationship.  

Subtitled in the longwinded “A PORNOGRAPHIC ELEGY WITH REDEEMING SOCIAL VALUE AND A HYMN TO THE QUEER MEN OF SAN FRANCISCO IN TWENTY TELEPHONE CALLS, MANY OF THEM DIRTY,” Robert Chesley’s 70-minute one-act drama takes to the stage for a limited time at Open Space Arts. JERKER is only being given nine performances, and the intimate seating is limited. So interested theatergoers should get their tickets as soon as possible. Unless frank, adult language and simulated sexual acts offend you, do not miss this seldom produced LGBT+ play about A Helping Hand, that’s a stimulating slice of gay history.   

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 29-November 8 by Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago.

Tickets are available at the door or by going to their website, www.openspacearts.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com. 

Photos by Jeremy Lawson Photography