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Christine Jorgensen Reveals Examines The Life
Of A Famous Transsexual
July 22, 2005

A famous transsexual from the 1950's is the subject of a new one-man show off-Broadway. NY1’s Clover Lalehzar filed this report.

“People assume that every person is either a man or a woman, but we don't take into account the true scientific value that each person is actually both” – these are the words of America's first celebrated transsexual, Christine Jorgensen.

A pioneer in educating people about transsexuality, Jorgensen underwent a sex change in 1950, transforming herself from an introverted, awkward young man into a glamorous woman, iconic role model and performer.

Now, her story is being told in her own words and voice in a new one-man show at the 59e59 theaters. Fittingly called "Christine Jorgensen Reveals," the production is entirely lip-synched and recreated from one of her few recorded interviews.

“I just wanted to expose people to the recording because she's clearly so intelligent and so poised and so charming,” says actor Bradford Louryk, who plays Christine.

Born in 1926 as "George" in the Bronx, Jorgensen's later "transformation" from a former G.I. to a blonde bombshell caused quite a stir in the 1950's and garnered a tremendous amount of media attention. And, although 50-odd years later the attitude towards trans-sexuality, bisexuality and homosexuality has evolved, people's perspectives on the matter are by no means entirely open-minded.

“I think it's really important that we look at our own time and compare it to the 1950's. Think how far we've come,” says Louryk. “But when you listen to it and you think about the relevance and significance about the things she's saying at the time in 1958, it's eerily close to the things going on in America right now.

For Louryk, it's not only a matter of putting on a wig and donning drag, but really getting under this complex character's skin. The challenge in lip-synching is to make the more subtle gestures convey the utmost of importance.

“We had a great time discovering what the most truthful behavior that goes along with that vocal performance is, and also discovering the emotional truth beat by beat throughout the piece,” says director Josh Hecht.

Christine Jorgensen Reveals is at the 59e59 theaters as part of the East to Edinburgh Festival through July 28. For more information, you can visit www.christinereveals.com.

- Clover Lalehzar