Mr. Leather, 1976

An Irons in the Fire Project

May 19, 2025 @ 6:30pm
Open Jar Studios, 12J

By Zackary Grady
Directed by Ryan Dobrin

Tickets to all Irons in the Fire presentations are free, but a reservation is required.
Please e-mail info@faultlinetheatre.org to book your spot!

Performed by:

Marcia Debonis
Alex Gibson
David Mattar Merten
Matthew Risch
Phillip Taratula
Robin Lord Taylor

Stage Manager: Hannah Sgambellone

Synopsis

After his long-term boyfriend suddenly breaks up with him, Glenn dives into the world of 1970s gay nightlife in NYC, hoping to erase the memory of his ex. However, when a new group of friends invites him to compete in a Men’s Leather Contest, Glenn is forced to confront the truth of his relationship head-on.

Playwright

ZACKARY GRADY (he/him) is a writer/director whose productions span film, theater, and fiction podcasting. He created, wrote, and directed the audio series GAY PRIDE & PREJUDICE for Spotify and Gimlet Media, which appeared in the 2022 Tribeca Festival and was nominated for two 2023 Ambie Awards including Podcast of the Year. His short film ISLAND QUEEN played a series of festivals including NewFest, Inside Out, and SFFilm. His work in theater has been produced off-broadway, regionally, and internationally, including TOE PICK and the upcoming GOD SAVE THE QUEER, which appeared in the 2022 Williamstown Theatre Festival. Zackary’s audio-driven productions TRAVIS and DEAD LETTER OFFICE utilize headphones on audiences, making him one of the first creators to develop audio-immersive theater in NYC.

Director

RYAN DOBRIN (he/him) is a queer & biracial director and producer of musicals, plays, and digital collaborative work. He facilitates work centered on otherness, emotional growth, and connection through textual dramaturgy and intentional conversation. He is passionate about both highly-stylized and deeply realistic storytelling, ethical implications, the existence of magic and spectacle, and narratives with a strong, beating heart. He believes in leading with friendliness, openness, and honesty and in the building of community through shared experience, a leadership style that originates from a Quaker education and an Ethical Humanist upbringing. Ryan is one of the Producing Artistic Leaders of Obie Award-winning The Movement Theatre Company, an artistic associate at Fault Line Theatre, was the associate/resident director to Maria Friedman for her Tony-nominated work on the Tony-winning revival of Merrily We Roll Along, and is the associate director to Tony-nominee Whitney White on The Last Five Years. Alongside Carina Goebelbecker, he is one half of Those Guilty Creatures, an interdisciplinary performance creating and producing collective.

Poster Sketch by Sean Devare