Meet MARRANO JUSTICE Playwright Joel Levin

From the Program:

MARRANO JUSTICE author Joel Levin is a successful lawyer, entrepreneur and academic from Cleveland, Ohio. He heads a small commercial law firm, Levin & Associates, which specializes in representing individuals and small businesses in contract disputes, commercial litigation, and securities matters. He also is the founder of Think-A-Move and Milicom, two allied software and hardware development companies which design and create specialized equipment for the military, medical and telephone sectors. Finally, Mr Levin has held professorships at various universities in the United States and Europe, and, since 1982, at Case Western Reserve, both in its Law School and its Department of Philosophy. He has taught courses in Philosophy of Law, European History, Jurisprudence, Ethics, Contract Theory, Russian Law, Professional Responsibility and a variety of other fields.
Mr Levin received his B.A. and M.A. from the University of Chicago, and also held the position of University Ombudsman under then President, and later Attorney General of the United States Edward Levi. He received his J.D. from Boston University, where he delivered the graduation address on structural flaws in legal logic. He attended Oxford University, obtaining his Doctorate in Law and Philosophy. His thesis, later published as a book on the structure of legal reasoning, analyzes such reasoning with that of semantics, philosophy of science and the theory of mathematics.
Mr Levin has written and lectured widely. He has authored three books: How Judges Reason, Revolution, Institutions and Law, and Tort Wars, as well as dozens of articles. He has lectured and published extensively both in law and philosophy, with occasional diversions into the fields of engineering, constitutional adjudication and human rights. He twice lived and taught in Russia, under State Department auspices, lecturing both students and judges on the principles of commercial law and legal theory. His latest work, MARRANO JUSTICE, a play about the life of Justice Benjamin Cardozo, illustrates the textured strands of reasoning Cardozo brought to the Supreme Court and to life from an older Greek and Sephardic tradition that offers new solutions to intractable problems.

Press Release for "MARRANO JUSTICE," opening this Thursday, Sept. 9 at Canyon Moon Theatre

World Premier at Canyon Moon

 

   Benjamin Cardozo, was an extraordinary Hispanic/Jewish judge, whose tenure on the Supreme Court still influences the laws we live by today. And yet, his story is unknown to most of the people who benefit from his work. Marrano Justice presents a riveting vision of the tensions and difficulties of race, freedom, love and dignity – framed by flashbacks and hauntingly beautiful Ladino music. Cardozo’s story echoes many of the themes at play in our country today.

The world premier of Marrano Justice runs at Canyon Moon September 9 through 12 and September 23 through 26. When Cardozo is visited by Torquemada, the 15th Century Spanish Inquisitor who expelled Arabs, Moors and Cardozo’s Jewish ancestors from Spain and Portugal, a tense dialogue begins as each of these men seeks purpose and vindication for the events of the Inquisition. These scenes alternate with scenes of the complex family and professional life of Cardozo and powerful images recalling medieval Cordoba, Spain and the Jim Crow South. Marrano Justice culminates with the Justices of the Supreme Court hearing the case of the Scottsboro boys – the seminal civil rights affair of the era.

Playwright Joel Levin, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, is a successful lawyer, entrepreneur, author and academic. Since 1982, he has taught at Case Western Reserve, both in its Law School and its Department of Philosophy. Mr. Levin has authored three books – How Judges Reason; Revolution, Institutions and Law and Tort Wars as well as dozens of articles.

Mark DeMichele (Benjamin Cardozo) most recently appeared in the critically acclaimed production of Secret Order for Actors Theatre of Phoenix and in the world premiere and surprise box office success of Parted Waters for Arizona Jewish Theatre. He has played on stages throughout the country and appeared in CMT’s hit show Nixon’s Nixon as Henry Kissinger. Mark is currently on the web as a reporter for TheDailyAdvantage.com.

A former college professor and Head Trainer for Anthony Robbins, Robert Bays (Torquemeda) spent ten years as an actor in New York. Bob was featured on Broadway in Tennessee Williams’ last play, Clothes for a Summer Hotel, directed by Jose Quintero, starring Geraldine Page. For CMT, Bob played the Trying and Chapter Two as well as directing Twelfth Night. The cast is rounded out by Michelle Lambeau (Nell Cardozo), Craig Hartley (Learned Hand) and newcomers Dion Johnson (Irving Lehman) and Jamie Maletz (Kate).

Michelle is an actress whose love of the theatre shows in her work as an actress, playwright and director. Her theatre blog, The Lucky Wig, details theatre doings in the Verde Valley and offers an interesting insight into backstage life.

Craig Hartley played Malvolio in CMT’s production of Twelfth Night and was formerly a company member at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D. C.

Dion Johnson is an actor who moves easily between the worlds of musical theatre and drama. His next role is the father in Hairspray at Phoenix Theatre.

Jamie Maletz recently moved to Sedona from Boston. She has written four musicals, one of which was fully produced.

Several events are planned around the presentation of Marrano Justice including a dinner at the Marketplace Café featuring Sephardic food. Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Greece, Egypt, Britain, Holland, Italy, Mexico, Hungary, Poland, Lithuania…and so many others have had an influence on Sephardic cooking, a centuries-old, international cuisine with its roots in the Jewish traditions of pre-Inquisition Spain and Portugal.

Wherever the Sephardic (Judeo-Spanish) people migrated, their cooking adapted to the techniques, tastes and ingredients found in new lands, while always remaining true to ancient cultural traditions.  Join us for a special evening when the Marketplace Cafe features a Sephardic menu with a Spanish influence following the play on September 12. For reservations, call MPC at 284-5478.

Marrano Justice plays Thursday, September 9 through Saturday, September 12 and again September 23 through 26.  Tickets are $19 general admission.  Full-time student are $11. To purchase tickets, call CMT at 928-282-6212. Tickets are also available at Rycus’ Corners and Marketplace Café in the VOC and at Basha’s in West Sedona. Thursday through Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m.  Sunday performances are at 3 p.m. Canyon Moon Theatre is located in the Oak Creek Factory Outlets, next to Village Pet Supply and Grooming, on Highway 179 in the Village of Oak Creek.

Rehearsals for Marrano Justice Are Well Underway!

Canyon Moon Theatre of Sedona, Arizona, is proud to present the cast of Joel Levin's Marrano Justice, opening September 9, 2010 at 7:30pm.

The play stars Mark DeMichele in the role of Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo and features Robert Bays as Tomas Torquemada, Deon Johnson as Judge Irving Lehman, Craig Hartley as Judge Learned Hand, Michelle Lambeau as Nell Cardozo and Jamie Maletz at Kate.

Watch this space for updates!


From left to right: Mark DeMichele, Robert Bays, Jamie Maletz.

Previews of "GLORIOUS!" by Peter Quilter begin Tonight at Canyon Moon Theatre!

Don't miss this hilarious comedy based on the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, diva extraordinaire of the 1940s!

GLORIOUS! by Peter Quilter opens this Thursday, May 27, at Canyon Moon Theatre in Sedona, Arizona!

Glorious! by Peter Quilter runs May 27 through June 13 at Canyon Moon Theatre. The (London) Sunday Times called the play  “a lunatically funny comedy…glittering, hilarious...a comedy with a heart…”

In1940’s New York, the performer everyone wanted to see including avid fan Cole Porter was Florence Foster Jenkins, a delusional and joyously happy soprano whose pitch was, unfortunately, far from perfect. Her elaborate costumes, from a Spanish senorita’s garb to an “angel of inspiration” outfit complete with wings and halo, delighted her audiences.

Quilter’s play provides a hilarious portrait of Jenkins as an indomitable spirit who may have committed “murder on the high C’s,” but who also had an enthusiasm for music that no cranky critic could squelch. Florence Foster Jenkins spent her fortune in pursuit of her dreams. She believed that singing badly was better than not singing at all. And for this, she became famous and has captured the imagination of audiences over the years. Quilter was not being entirely ironic when he called his play Glorious! 

Canyon Moon's production, directed by Producing Artistic Director Mary Guaraldi, recreates her absurd performances as it follows Jenkins during the last year of her life, from recording sessions and galas to Carnegie Hall, where, at the age of 76, she made her legendary sold-out debut and swan song. Helping her along the way are a cadre of real-life figures: Jenkins’s manager/boyfriend St. Clair Byfield, her accompanist, a young pianist with the wonderfully descriptive name of Cosmé McMoon, her friend and fellow amateur, Dorothy, and Maria, a temperamental maid.

Gerard Maguire (St. Clair Byfield) has had a long and distinguished career as an actor, writer, director and teacher since graduating from NIDA, Australia’s leading drama school. An audience favorite at CMT, Gerard played Henry in The Lion in Winter and directed The Business of Murder.

Glorious! Introduces four actors new to the CMT stage. Susy Hopkins (Florence Foster Jenkins) is a classically trained soprano who has appeared in concert at Lincoln Center and was featured in the Joseph Papp production of La Calisto in New York City.  Aiden Redsteer is a graduate of Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy where he worked with Canyon Moon’s Mike Levin. He is now at NAU studying theatre. He was nominated for a best actor award this past season at NAU.

Michelle Lambeau (Dorothy) has been an active participant in theatre for twenty years.  This year, Michelle produced and directed her original adaptation of Jane Austen's Lady Susan. Morgana Campbell (Maria/ Mrs. Verrinder-Gedge) began her theatre experience in 1998 while attending Arizona Western Community College in Yuma, AZ.

The show plays May 27-June 13 with no performance on June 5.  Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Sunday performances begin at 3 p.m.  Tickets are $19, $11 for full time students. Tickets for preview performances (May 27, 28) are $16. All shows take place at the Oak Creek Factory Outlets on Hwy 179 in the Village of Oak Creek. Canyon Moon Theatre is a professional, non-profit theatre that serves the northern Arizona community and its guests. Single tickets for Glorious! will be available for purchase at Marketplace Café and Rycus’ Corners in the Village of Oak Creek and at Bashas' in West Sedona. You may also call 800-838-3006 to make reservations.

Last Week for Twelfth Night at Canyon Moon Theatre: A Musical Romp of Romance and Laughter

Audiences have been laughing their way out of the theater for the past two weeks, so don’t miss out on your last three chances to see Twelfth Night at Canyon Moon Theatre, Thursday through Saturday, April 22-24 at 7:30 PM.  It features silly lovers and ale-loving pranksters, all chasing each other in a musical romp that ends in marriage with a few twists.

            Never send a boy to do a man’s work, especially if he’s a girl!  Romantic complications among the upper classes multiply in the fantasy kingdom of Illyria as Duke Orsino sends Viola (thinking she is a boy) to woo the celibate Olivia in his name. Add a backdrop of side-splitting revelry as the ever-tipsy Sir Toby Belch and the foolish knight, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, join forces with the fun-loving Maria to marry Olivia off to Sir Andrew and to dupe the puritanical steward Malvolio into making a fool of himself by wooing Olivia. Throw in a twin brother, sword play, various other disguises and twelve songs and the rollercoaster is at full throttle.

Twelfth Night is directed by Canyon Moon favorite Robert Bays who also plays the fun-loving Sir Toby. Bays is a Broadway veteran who has appeared at Canyon Moon as the ailing Judge in Trying and as the Neil Simon stand-in in Chapter Two. The musical director, Teri Bays, returns to CMT as Maria after playing opposite her husband in last season’s Chapter Two. Craig Hartley as Malvolio was in CMT’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest and has an extensive background in theatre as a director and actor.

Brad Roberts, aka Sir Andrew Aguecheek, works for Yavapai Broadcasting and is a veteran of CMT’s murder mysteries where he has played everything from a flighty female to a Hawaiian ghost.  Mary Wallin, who starred in Barefoot in the Park, plays Viola, the object of everyone’s affection. The Duke of Orsino, Justin Ove, last appeared at CMT in Jerry Finnegan’s Sister. When Justin is not onstage, he is becoming a sommelier at Page Springs Winery. Talented newcomer Sarah Ann Lesslie plays the lovely Olivia.  Sir Toby’s band consists of Robert Bays and Teri Bays on piano, C C Cline on bass and Thomas Wisbey on drums. Set and costume design are by Robert Reninger, who has worked throughout the west as a stylist and designer.

Tickets are $19.  Full-time student tickets are $11. To purchase tickets, call Brown Paper Tickets’ 24-hour hotline at 1-800-838-3006. Tickets are also available at Rycus’ Corners and Marketplace Café in the VOC and at Basha’s in West Sedona. Thursday through Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m.  Sunday performances are at 3 p.m. Canyon Moon Theatre is located in the Oak Creek Factory Outlets, next to Village Pet Supply and Grooming, on Highway 179 in the Village of Oak Creek.

Canyon Moon is supported by the Arizona Community Foundation and is northern Arizona’s year-round professional theater.

MARRANO JUSTICE Workshop Reading Tonight at Canyon Moon Theatre in Sedona

by Michelle Lambeau    

Tonight Sedona's Canyon Moon Theatre will be hosting a reading of Joel Levin's new play, Marrano Justice. This dramatic presentation of the life and works of Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo, whose deeply humanist erudition helped set the Court on the path of enlightened secularism that made our country great right up to the end of the XXth century, will be followed by a discussion moderated by Producing Artistic Director Mary Guaraldi.

A workshop production of  Marrano Justice is planned  for mid-September 2010. Watch this space for updates!