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.
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