Abe Rybeck smiling with his arm around a man wearing a hat that reads "Life a Virgin"
Rybeck, Abe
United Fruit Company
Theater Offensive
Abe Rybeck smiling with his arm around a man wearing a sweater dress and hat that reads "Like a Virgin."
Belmonte, L.
The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston
1987
<span>Copyright L. Belmonte, 1987.<br />Contact </span><a href="mailto:info@historyproject.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@historyproject.org</a><span> for more information.</span>
GCN.ORG.00481
Four members of Adult Children of Heterosexuals, including Abe Rybeck, posed in song
Rybeck, Abe
Madden, Scott
Shays, Felice
Brown, Lynn
Adult Children of Heterosexuals
Theater Offensive
On verso: Adult Children of Heterosexuals performs their unique brand of high camp, raucous cabaret at Nightstage in Cambridge on July 6 at 8pm. Band members (l to r) Scott Madden, Felice Shays, Lynn Brown, and (bottom) Abe Rybeck will croon to make you swoon.
Chan, Larry
The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston
circa late 1980s or early 1990s
<span>Contact </span><a href="mailto:info@historyproject.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@historyproject.org</a><span> for more information.</span>
GCN.ORG.00476
Abe Rybeck and Damien Thibodeaux in costume for a performance of "Pure PolyESTHER"
Thibodeaux, Damien
Rybeck, Abe
Mood Swings
Theater Offensive
Pure Polyesther is a hilarious and subversive retelling of the Old Testament story of Esther. The Theater Offensive's purimspiel mixes slapstick, klezmer, cross-dressing, outrageous scenery-chewing, and queer coupling with an earnest message about being true to yourself and your community. First staged as a live-action production in 1992, Pure Polyesther has acquired a loyal following for its annual presentation during the festival of Purim. Information on back of photograph: Abe Rybeck and Damien Thibodeaux in Pure PolyESTHER: A Biblical Burlesque at the Boston Center for the Arts, March 14 through 24, presented by The Theater Offensive. Call for tickets, 617/423-0942.
Chen, Larry
The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston
<span>Contact </span><a href="mailto:info@historyproject.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@historyproject.org</a><span> for more information.</span>
GCN.ORG.00485
Actors from United Fruit Company in costume
Theater Offensive
Rybeck, Abe
United Fruit Company
In 1989, founding Artistic Director Abe Rybeck and a group of artist/activists formed The Theater Offensive to expand on the success of the gay men's guerrilla theater troupe, United Fruit Company. The Theater Offensive mounts and produces festivals and individual productions by national and local queer performers, and also serves as a development environment for new theatrical work. In addition, The Theater Offensive works to build community through education, outreach, and political activism. In this photograph, Abe Rybeck and other actors from United Fruit Company are posing in costume outside a concrete building.
Debbie Rich
The History Project, Inc.
1986
Please credit Debbie Rich. Email info@historyproject.org for information about rights, reproductions, etc.
GCN.ORG.00468
Abe Rybeck of United Fruit Company
Rybeck, Abe
United Fruit Company
Theater Offensive
Moser, Dana
The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston
circa mid to late 1980s
Contact <a href="mailto:info@historyproject.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@historyproject.org</a> for more information.
GCN.ORG.00471
Abe Rybeck of United Fruit Company
Rybeck, Abe
United Fruit Company
Theater Offensive
Moser, Dana
The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston
circa mid to late 1980s
<span>Contact </span><a href="mailto:info@historyproject.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@historyproject.org</a><span> for more information.</span>
GCN.ORG.00470
Three Theater Offensive actors dressed for a performance
United Fruit Company
Rybeck, Abe
Theater Offensive
Abe Rybeck and two other actors from the Theater Offensive posing in costume.
unknown
The History Project, Inc.
no date
Email info@historyproject.org for information about rights, reproductions, etc.
GCN.ORG.00484
Four performers from United Fruit Company, including Abe Rybeck, pose in costume
Rybeck, Abe
United Fruit Company
Theater Offensive
Four men wearing dresses pose dramatically in front of a banner that reads: "United Fruit." Abe Rybeck is pictured at the far right.
Winn, A.J.
The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston
1987
Copyright A.J. Winn, 1987.<br /><span>Contact </span><a href="mailto:info@historyproject.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@historyproject.org</a><span> for more information.</span>
GCN.ORG.00477
Abe Rybeck and two other members of United Fruit Co.
Rybeck, Abe
United Fruit Co.
Theater Offensive
The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston
circa mid to late 1980s
<span>Contact </span><a href="mailto:info@historyproject.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@historyproject.org</a><span> for more information.</span>
GCN.ORG.00472
Abe Rybeck and two other members of United Fruit Company, surrounded by puppets
Rybeck, Abe
United Fruit Company
Theater Offensive
The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston
circa mid to late 1980s
<span>Contact </span><a href="mailto:info@historyproject.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@historyproject.org</a><span> for more information.</span>
GCN.ORG.00473
Abe Rybeck performing with queer cabaret group Adult Children of Heterosexuals created by the Theater Offensive
Rybeck, Abe
Theater Offensive
Adult Children of Heterosexuals
On verso: Adult Children of Heterosexuals (Abe Rybeck)
The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston
circa mid to late 1980s
<span>Contact </span><a href="mailto:info@historyproject.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@historyproject.org</a><span> for more information.</span>
GCN.ORG.00474
Head shot of Abe Rybeck of United Fruit Company and the Theater Offensive
Rybeck, Abe
United Fruit Company
Theater Offensive
The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston
circa mid to late 1980s
<span>Contact </span><a href="mailto:info@historyproject.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@historyproject.org</a><span> for more information.</span>
GCN.ORG.00475
Abe Rybeck kissing a life-size puppet on the cheek
Rybeck, Abe
United Fruit Company
Theater Offensive
Abe Rybeck kissing a life-size puppet on the cheek.
The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston
circa mid- to late-1980s
<span>Contact </span><a href="mailto:info@historyproject.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@historyproject.org</a><span> for more information.</span>
GCN.ORG.00480
Stephen Harrington, Abe Rybeck, and Scottie Madden of Theater Offensive, posing with puppets
Harrington, Stephen
Rybeck, Abe
Madden, Scottie
Theater Offensive
United Fruit Company
Stephen Harrington, Abe Rybeck, and Scottie Madden of the Theater Offensive standing in a row with five puppets. Each man is speaking into a microphone.
The History Project: Documenting LGBTQ Boston
1988-03-20
<span>Contact </span><a href="mailto:info@historyproject.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">info@historyproject.org</a><span> for more information.</span>
GCN.ORG.00483