In 1990 four performance artists had their National Endowment for the Arts grants withdrawn after being contested in a Supreme Court case; they became known as the NEA-4. Among them was John Fleck, whose grant was vetoed—with charges of obscenity—due to a performance comedy using a toilet prop.

Los Angeles–based Fleck returns to the New York stage November 4 with a new work commissioned by Dixon Place: Blacktop Highway, written and performed by the artist. The solo show is directed by Randee Trabitz and will run for six performances only through November 19.

Fleck embodies more than 10 characters in the play, inspired by classic horror cinema and Freud’s theories of mind and ego. Blacktop Highway weaves video and performance, and according to production notes, leads the audience “into a darkly hilarious world of sex, greed and religion.”

The production includes costumes by Christina Wright, video design by Heather Fipps, puppet design by Christine Papalexis, and original lighting design by Anne Militello.

Dixon Place is located at 161A Chrystie Street, New York. For tickets and more information visit dixonplace.org.