Message from DTLA Entertainment Group:
For more than three decades, George Christie was among the most prominent leaders of the Hells Angels biker organization. He was prosecuted and persecuted; hunted and hated, but always respected, even by his enemies, of which there were many.
Now, Christie shares his journey from accused (though not convicted) murderer and arsonist to legitimate business owner and family man in the new, solo stage production “Outlaw.” Written and directed by Richard La Plante, “Outlaw” is coming to the Arthur Newman Theatre at the Joslyn Center in Palm Desert for one performance only, on Saturday, May 19.
Based on his memoir “Exile on Front Street: My Life as a Hells Angel and Beyond,” the show explores how the son of poor Greek immigrants became one of the most influential leaders of the world’s most infamous motorcycle club.
“This show has taken me deeper into realizing why I became who I am,” Christie said. “I am not making excuses, nor am I condemning my old lifestyle. It’s helping me find peace with myself. I don’t think you can grow if you don’t explore the good with the bad.”
During his years with the Hells Angels, Christie survived gang wars, multiple prosecutions and attempts on his life. In 1979, he was among a group of Hells Angels members targeted by then-U.S. Attorney Robert Mueller, who is now spearheading the investigation into alleged Russian influences on the 2016 presidential election. Through it all, Christie considered himself a peacemaker, by the standards of outlaw biker clubs.
“The crime rate in Ventura was lower when I ran the Hells Angels,” he said. “We didn’t allow drive-by shootings. I told our members they could deal with problems, but not in ways that endangered the community. I kept innocent people from getting hurt.”
Christie left the Hells Angels in 2011 and began writing, speaking, promoting concerts and consulting for defense attorneys. In 2015, The History Channel produced a documentary series about him, titled “Outlaw Chronicles: Hells Angels.” While the documentary focused on the Hells Angels, playwright and co-producer Richard La Plante said the new stage production will offer a more personal portrait of Christie.
“I find George’s story compelling because I believe if he was not an outlaw and had not chosen that path in life, he could have been the president of a large corporation or a state senator,” La Plante said. “He has the brains and charisma to do anything and be anyone. It was those brains and charisma that took him to the top of the outlaw biker world. It was his choice, guided by circumstance, and one that he has never regretted or whined about.”
La Plante, who is also a musician, composed and performed a theme song for “Outlaw,” which can be heard here: https://soundcloud.com/user-58486491/outlaw-theme-song/s-YPI0x.
“Outlaw” will be performed at the Arthur Newman Theatre at the Joslyn Center, 73750 Catalina Way, Palm Desert, CA 92260, on Saturday, May 19, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be ordered by calling 213-7139149 or online at www.georgechristieoutlaw.com.
“Outlaw” is produced by DTLA Entertainment Group. Information about the show is available at www.GeorgeChristieOutlaw.com. Information about George Christie is available at www.GeorgeChristie.com.
