The life of John Loan, aka John Jerome, reads like a novel. Actually, it reads like many different novels. It's a love story ending in tragedy, a crime caper, a suspense thriller, a courtroom drama, a gritty and disturbing prison saga and ultimately, the story of a man who didn't let hardship beat him, a man who has embarked on the second act of his life with hope for the future and determination to learn from the lessons of his past.
Who is John Loan? He never gave an interview, so much of what was presented as factual reporting by the media contained information that was simply not correct. The public followed the story avidly, unaware that they weren't getting all the facts and basing their opinions of the man strictly on what they read and heard.
Did John Jerome really make a difference as the flamboyant cabaret patron and music producer? Were his efforts on behalf of AIDS patients at St. Vincent's hospital a justification for the theft from his employers? How did he manage to embezzle nearly four million dollars from a financial conglomerate without getting caught much earlier? Was he a lost soul who needed to feel needed in order to validate his existence?
Remembering With Hope brings the real John Loan from behind the curtain of silence, speaking in his own voice, pulling no punches and making no excuses. John has teamed with writer Betsy Gilbert to bring his story to the public in an effort to dispel the falsehoods and myths that arose from his case. Working in close collaboration, the two are writing a true story in the style of a fictional page-turner. Their book is sad, funny, suspenseful ,frightening and hopeful, promising to appeal to a broad range of readers--from the gay community across the U.S. and abroad to those who have followed the Enron, WorldComm and other corporate scandals, to people of all ages who simply enjoy losing themselves in a good book filled with romance, glamour, tragedy and intrigue.
We welcome you to our web site and encourage you to take a tour. You can read what the media wrote about John, biographies of John and Betsy and excerpts from the upcoming book. Check out our message board, get on our mailing list and, by all means, click on the link to "Arturo's Window," the stage play by Cheryl King and Rod Menzies. This full length drama is based on original materials by John Loan, and features nine original songs by John Mercurio, composer and lyricist. For more information on the play and its collaborators, visit the Arturo's Window website.
John smiles for the camera
summer 2005
Photo by A Karno
Photo by Ellen Rosenberg
John Jerome, about Arturo's Window..."I have been sharing stories with Cheryl for several years now. I heartily endorse the Arturo's Window project, and am delighted with the recent developments. I can't wait to see it on stage again."
There will be a reading of the new, revised Arturo's Window at the York Theatre on Tuesday, Dec 11, at 7:30 pm. Tickets will be available at the end of October. Contact Jeff Landsman, at
York Theatre Company
The Theatre at Saint Peter’s
54th Street, Just East of Lexington
www.yorktheatre.org
