It may seem like a lot has changed in the past 50 years, but as Dooley, the new play at the Diversionary Theater, reveals there are a few key issues from the era still making headlines today.
Dooley, written by William di Canzio, tells the real-life story of Dr. Tom Dooley, a charismatic, young, gay Navy physician in the 1950s. Directed by Cynthia Stokes it features Robert Borzych as Dr. Tom Dooley.
After completing his residency at Camp Pendleton, Dooley provided healthcare to the Vietnamese during the early years of the Vietnam conflict. However, despite his work as a humanitarian, Dooley was dishonorably discharged from the military because he was gay.
“Here is a story of what a great contribution a man can make to his country and to humanity and how that can be taken away by something as meaningless as who that person is attracted to,” Borzych said.
Although Borzych was only vaguely familiar with Dooley’s humanitarian efforts, he said his parents and others who grew up in the ’50s practically idolized his work.
“He was a cultural phenomenon,” Borzych said.
Not only was Dooley voted one of the most admired men – along with the pope and president Dwight Eisenhower – but he received honors from three presidents. There was even talk of making him a saint; but when news of his homosexuality reached the church, they quietly dropped the topic.
During this time period, there was a high concentration of gay men in the medical section of the Navy, according to Borzych. When the military learned that Dooley was gay – and because he had such a high profile with Americans – they first tried to send him to the Vietnam war zone to keep him away from the public eye and eventually discharged him from the military.
“They basically blackmailed him and said that he’s a very public figure and they didn’t want this to come out,” Borzych explained. “Ironically, by him being kicked out of the Navy, he became more successful and more popular.”
Though half a century has passed since his death – Dooley died at age 34 from cancer – many of the topics relevant in Dooley’s life are just beginning to be resolved. The Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy regarding gays in the military recently was in the news and healthcare reform is still a hot topic.
“I think the timeliness of the play sets it apart from other productions,” Borzych said. “It’s compelling and depressing in a way. We’re still dealing with whether it’s OK to be a gay man or woman serving in the military.”
The world premiere stage production of his story runs through May 29.
For more information or to order tickets, visit diversionary.org.
