by Michelle LambeauSupreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo (1870-1938) was extremely influential in shaping American legal philosophy in the XXth century. Appointed to the Court by Herbert Hoover to succeed the celebrated Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Cardozo was already famous for his flair, his philosophy and his modesty. His tenure, though brief, is remarkable for the insights and lasting influence he brought to our justice system.
Cardozo was also an extremely private and complex individual. He tolerated no inquiries into his personal life and, though he practiced no religion, took great pride in his heritage as a Sephardic Jew who traced his ancestry back to the Iberian peninsula.
Playwright Joel Levin has set himself the task of presenting this fascinating historical figure in dramatic form with Marrano Justice. The title refers to the medieval term of contempt reserved in Spain and Portugal for forced converts to Christianity who were suspected - and often brutally executed - for secretly adhering to Jewish practices.
A rehearsed reading featuring Mark DeMichele, Bob Bays and Gerard Maguire alongside your humble blogger, followed by a discussion with the playwright and director Mary Guaraldi, will be presented by Canyon Moon Theatre this Sunday, April 11, at 7pm. The reading is by invitation only, and will be free of charge to participants. This will be followed, in September 2010, by a public workshop production of the play.
Watch this space for continuing information on this exciting project by Canyon Moon.
*****
"In truth, I am nothing but a plodding mediocrity—please observe, a plodding mediocrity—for a mere mediocrity does not go very far, but a plodding one gets quite a distance. There is joy in that success, and a distinction can come from courage, fidelity and industry."
-- Benjamin Cardozo
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