ETE's A MORE PERFECT UNION Hosts Post-Show Panels With Supreme Court Clerks

Epic Theatre Ensemble's production of A More Perfect Union, Vern Thiessen's serious comedy about two Supreme Court law clerks, will host post-show panels featuring real-life former Supreme Court clerks.

These former clerks, who are all now major professionals, have interned for such legendary lawmakers as Thurgood Marshall and Sandra Day O'Connor. With their various backgrounds in constitutional law, criminal law and civil rights law, they are now professors at prestigious universities such as Columbia University and Yeshiva University.

The post-show panel schedule is as follows:

Sunday, May 10th at 2pm

Daniel Richman, Professor of Law at Columbia University. Professor Richman's areas of expertise include federal criminal law, evidence and criminal procedure. He spent a year clerking for Thurgood Marshall. More information on Professor Richman can be found at http://www.law.columbia.edu/fac/Daniel_Richman.

Saturday, May 16th at 8pm

JamAl Greene, Associate Professor of Law at Columbia University. Professor Greene's areas of expertise include constitutional law, constitutional theory and federal courts. He spent a year clerking for John Stevens. More information on Professor Greene can be found at http://www.law.columbia.edu/fac/Jamal_Greene.

Alexander A. Reinert, Assistant Professor of Law at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and Yeshiva University. Professor Reinert's areas of expertise include civil rights law, the rights of prisoners and detainees, constitutional law, employment discrimination and disability rights. In addition to clerking for Steven Breyer, Professor Reinert recently argued before the Supreme Court in Ashcroft v. Iqbal, which implicates the ability of civil rights plantiffs to hold high level officials accountable for constitutionAl Violations. The details of this case can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/11/washington/11scotus.html

Saturday, May 30th at 8pm

Marci A. Hamilton, Paul R. Verkuil Chair in Public Law, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and Yeshiva University. Ms. Hamilton's areas of expertise include constitutional law, the first amendment, as well as law and religion. She has clerked for Sandra Day O'Connor, and is the author of God vs. the Gavel: Religion and the Rule of Law. More information on Ms. Hamilton can be found at http://www.cardozo.yu.edu/MemberContentDisplay.aspx?ccmd=ContentDisplay&ucmd=UserDisplay&userid=10510.

These post-show discussions are part of Epic's "Forum Series" made possible in part by funds from the New York Council for the Humanities, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Post-show discussions will follow every performance of A More Perfect Union.

Commissioned and developed by Epic Theatre Ensemble (Zak Berkman, Melissa Friedman, Ron Russell, executive directors), A More Perfect Union, is a new play about two Law Clerks at the U.S. Supreme Court who have very different backgrounds and opposing political views. When they fall in love their relationship challenges their ethics and careers, as well as threatens to expose a dirty little secret about the Highest Court in our land. This serious comedy about justice, compromise, and what America wears underneath its fancy robes is written by Vern Thiessen, one of Canada's most acclaimed playwrights. Newly relocated to the United States, he is the author of Einstein's Gift, which received the Governor General's Award for Drama, the Canadian equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize.

The creative team for A More Perfect Union includes Troy Hourie (sets), Theresa Squire (costumes), Tyler Micoleau (lights) and Ron Russell (sound). The Production Stage Manager is Erin Koster.

Tickets for A More Perfect Union are priced at $37.50 with a special $10 matinee ticket available during the month of May. Schedule varies. Tickets may be purchased through the company's website, www.epictheatreensemble.org, or by calling (212) 352-3101 and (866) 811-4111.