20 Images From the Naked Age of Erotic Gay Theater

'The Advocate', with Calvin Culver (Brian) and Jim Cassidy (Bob) (1974). Photographer: Eric Skipsey

Jerry Douglas's Tubstrip, a risque comedy set in a gay bathhouse, was a popular sensation when produced onstage in 1973-1974, in the era of gay liberation and the sexual revolution. The play, often dismissed by mainstream critics but hailed as "funny, sexy, and important" by the gay press, ran for 140 performances off-Broadway, then toured to eight cities over nine months, and returned to Broadway starring the legendary adult film star Casey Donovan in the lead role. Despite its unprecedented success and acclaim, the play was not officially published until 2019.

Along with the debut publication of the script of the play, this edition includes a foreword by Jordan Schildcrout titled "Tubstrip and The Erotic Theatre of Gay Liberation", which examines the significance of the play as one of a wave of erotic gay plays (most of them forgotten or lost) that emerged between 1969 and 1974. This edition also features rarely seen publicity photos, posters, and advertisements from the original production of the play.

Jerry Douglas, a graduate of the Yale School of Drama, was pursuing a career in the legitimate theatre while also writing and directing "all male" films, including the classic The Back Row. He went on to have a major career in gay male pornography, directing numerous award-winning films between 1989 and 2007, such as More of a Man, Flesh & Blood, Dream Team, and Buckleroos.

Jordan Schildcrout is Associate Professor of Theatre & Performance at SUNY Purchase.

Chelsea Station Editions is distributed by Ingram. Tubstrip on Amazon.

Off-Broadway Playbill (1973). Art attributed to Jim French working as 'Colt'

Tubstrip opened off-Broadway on May 17, 1973, and ran for 100 performances at the Mercer Arts Center -- until the building collapsed.

Dean Tait (Dusty) Off-Broadway (1973). Photographer: unknown.

Dean Tait, who originated the role Dusty the hustler, also appeared in Jerry Douglas's film Both Ways (1975).

Larry Gilman (Brian) and Richard Rheem (Kevin) Off-Broadway (1973). Photographer: unknown.

After the crumbling of stage censorship laws and the popular success of Hair (1968), nudity become much more prevalent on the New York stage, and Tubstrip took full advantage of the new freedom.

Larry Gilman (Brian) and playwright / director Jerry Douglas (1973). Photographer: unknown.

Larry Gilman plays Brian, the gay bathhouse attendant looking for love in the era of sexual liberation.

Off-Broadway Poster (1973)

The off-Broadway production re-opened at the Players Theatre for 40 more performances. Lee Barton, reviewing the play for The Advocate, called it "funny, sexy, and important," but wondered whether mainstream critics could "tolerate anything gay that is so open and healthy."

Jamey Gillis (Tony) and Richard Rheem (Kevin) Off-Broadway (1973). Photographer: unknown.

Tubstrip was remarkably sex-positive for its time, showing the S&M couple Tony and Kevin as loving partners. See Wikipedia for more on Jamey Gillis's prolific career.

Walter Holiday (Andy) and Ty Yorczek (Darryl) (1974) [Toronto production]. Photographer: unknown.

Jeff Layton (Kevin), Gerald Grant (Tony), and John Bruce Deaven (Dusty) (1974) [Toronto production]. Photographer: unknown.

Gerald Grant, who played Tony the sadist, also appeared in Radley Metzger's film version of Jerry Douglas's play, Score(1974), opposite Casey Donovan.

Touring Production Poster (1974)

After the New York run, Tubstrip toured to eight cities over nine months: Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Toronto, Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Al Levitsky (Bob) and T. J. D’Agostino (Brian) (1974) [Chicago]. Photographer: unknown.

Al Levitsky played Bob, the Green Beret just back from Viet Nam, who's come to bathhouse to meet the boy who had a crush on him in high school.

Walter Holiday (Andy), Al Levitsky (Bob), and Ty Yorczek (Darryl) (1974) [Toronto].

Walter Holiday (Andy) with Veronica (1974) [Chicago]. Photographer: unknown.

Walter Holiday played the role of Andy in all of Tubstrip's 500 performances. Jerry Douglas credits Holiday with the inspired decision to have his character assert himself in Act Two by donning an Afro wig.

Advertisement, unknown publication, San Francisco. Photo: Hugh Harrison

One San Francisco review praised Tubstrip as an exemplar of gay liberation, remarking, "When is the last time you walked out of a play or film about gays and felt good?"

Calvin Culver / Casey Donovan (Brian) (LA) (1974). Photographer: unknown.

Casey Donovan / Cal Culver told the San Francisco Examiner, "I'm not the last bit ashamed of those films I made, but I hope my career will take off now in a more serious and legitimate direction."

Walter Holiday (Andy) and Dick Joslyn (Bob) (1974) L.A. Photographer: unknown.

The entire cast of Tubstrip appeared in the Los Angeles Pride Parade in 1974.

Jake Everett (Wally), Calvin Culver (Brian), and Walter Holiday (Andy) (1974) L.A.

Jake Everett (Wally) (1974) [L.A.]

Jake Everett played the "skinflick mogul" Wally in all of Tubstrip's 500 performances. Actually 26 years old at the time, he shaved his head and created his own "fat suit" to play the middle-aged role.

Broadway Production (1974)

When Tubstrip opened on Broadway in October 1974, the critic for Show Business reported, "Tubstrip is not for everyone, but it comes pretty close. It's not for the prejudiced puritan, but it is for the romantic." Most mainstream critics disagreed, and the production closed after 37 performances.

Chelsea Station Editions 2019

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