John Fisher’s Solo Masterpiece Exposes Perils of Gay Life

by Barry David Horwitz

John Fisher has written, teched, designed, and performed one of his great Essential Service Projects, transferring from video to live stage at SafeHouse Arts on Eddy Street in downtown San Francisco. Who would want to miss Fisher at his best, climbing the rafters, peddling his bike furiously, and tracking down a mystery man who was picking up and murdering young gay men in the 70s.

I was blown away by Fisher’s fury, his quizzical looks, his shy growing up years as he takes us back to the 70s. As a fumbling teenager from Marin, tentatively exploring the gay world in SF., he exudes charm and innocence. Fisher turns his teen years into a one man show that brilliantly relives that time of rampant homophobia.

When the “Doodler,” who made drawings of his victims before he killed them, started his murder spree, the police refused to take the cases seriously. Gay people were not their concern and no one cared much if they were murdered. Fisher plays a police detective who tells him the truth: murders of gays in The Castro did not matter. He says that gay murders are not a police or political priority, leaving young Fisher and us shocked and horrified.

Those 14 or 15 murders by a person still unknown started with the Doodler drawing a potential victim in the Castro. Then he lured the victim out to the beach and stabbed him to death. The serial killer has never been caught. Neither has the Zodiac killer. Why is serial murder so accepted in our culture? What does that say about our country? Are we back in that age of hatred and intolerance again?

In a series of captivating scenes, John Fisher plays himself as the naïve Marin teen just coming out. He falls for a wonderful guy named Jay who turns out to be an accomplished Finocchio’s drag artist in North Beach. Fisher runs through the streets of San Francisco, furiously rides his bike onstage, and takes us to heights and depths of emotion. He engages us profoundly in his quest.

Fisher encounters a bullying police detective, some inspiring gay heroes, and persistent disregard for gay lives. He’s funny, tragic, hectic, and moving by turns. Fisher, a master manipulator, is totally in charge of his art. Keep your eyes on him every moment; he’s a quicksilver actor in total control of his body and his material. A joy to watch.

I would never miss a John Fisher show. It’s rare to see a one man show with so many distinct and fascinating characters and an important, bold, true story. Oh, yes, it’s TRUE. Fisher is the P.T. Barnum of gay theater, of S.F. theater.  See an exceptional solo performance by the Master, himself. See “Doodler” and he will lift your spirits. Bravo!

 

“Doodler: The Unsolved Castro Murders” –conceived & performed by John Fisher, lighting & sound by Colin Johnson, set/costume/prop design by John Fisher, Castro Theatre sign design by Crystal Liu, at SAFEHOUSE ARTS, 145 Eddy Street, San Francisco 94102, by Theatre Rhinoceros.  Info: therhino.org – to May 2, 2025

Cast: John Fisher (in many roles)

Banner photo: John Fisher in “Doodler.” Photos: Scott Sidorsky