THE DEEP THROAT SEX SCANDAL Replaces Ron Jeremy at Zephyr Theatre, Now thru 2/17

The Deep Throat Sex Scandal, a new play by David Bertolino about the making of the famed, 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 in a six-week engagement, now running through March 3.

The production announced that porn veteran Christian Mann will replace Ron Jeremy, who is unable to appear later this month due to his recent illness. Mann takes over the role of Judge Steven Weisman this weekend, February 14-17.

A 30-year veteran of the adult business, Christian Mann has worked in various capacities, including magazines, mail order, production, sales and marketing. As owner of Video Team, he pioneered niche marketing with the popular all-girl series No Man's Land and the urban series My Baby Got Back. In 2006, Christian sold Video Team to Metro Interactive and two years later took a position as general manager of John Stagliano's Evil Angel Video. Christian is no stranger to the challenges inherent in marketing adult products for adult consumers. He was indicted in 1989, withstood a federal obscenity trial in Texas and was eventually acquitted of all charges. Over 20 years later, as Evil Angel's founder John Stagliano was facing on obscenity charges in Washington, D.C. (charges that were ultimately dismissed in July 2010), Christian was elected to the Free Speech Coalition Board of Directors, where he is actively involved with FSC's anti-piracy efforts. Christian was the recipient of AVN's First Amendment Defense Award in 1991, the Free Speech Coalition's Good Guy Award in 2000 and most recently was inducted in the "AVN Hall of Fame - Founder's Branch" in January 2010.

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 Christian Mann (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 and 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 eighteen and under will be admitted. Tickets are available online at http://www.deepthroattheplay.com 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.

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