Next Hothouse Reading:

MODERATION

Written by Lee Blessing

Directed by Oz Scott

Justice Harry Blackmun redefines women’s rights with Roe v. Wade.

Starring Lawrence Pressman (American Pie, Doogie Howser M.D.) as Harry Blackmun

and Granville Van Dusen as Warren Burger

Also starring...

Daniel Kaemon

Nick Cernoch

Marilyn McIntyre

Jennifer Seifert

December 8-9, 2009, 8:00 p.m.

Carrie Hamilton Theatre
A complimentary reception to follow.

Based on Linda Greenhouse’s Becoming Justice Blackmun, Moderation examines the life and career of Harry Blackmun, a Nixon nominee to the Supreme Court who over nearly a quarter-century became that body’s most liberal member. Blackmun wrote the majority decision in Roe v. Wade and spent years working to fight off challenges to it. In doing so, he became one of the country’s most influential advocates for women’s rights. Moderation provides a peek into Blackmun’s past, tracking the ups and downs of his more than eighty-year friendship with Chief Justice Warren Burger. Blackmun’s Midwestern upbringing is also examined, providing clues to the values which guided his decisions throughout a long and controversial career on the Federal bench.

LEE BLESSING (Playwright): Lee is the author of A Walk in the Woods, nominated for Tony and Olivier Awards as well as the Pulitzer Prize. His work has twice won the Steinberg/American Theatre Critics’ Association Award, among many other honors. Recent plays include When We Go Upon the Sea, Great Falls, A Body of Water and an adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s Heaven’s My Destination, among others. He heads the graduate playwriting program at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. He is married to fellow playwright and TV writer Melanie Marnich.

OZ SCOTT (Director): Oz has been one of the most sought after directors for theatre, film and television for over two decades. He has worked at nearly every major regional theatre in the country including recent work at The Goodman, Arena Stage, Hartford Stage and Philadelphia Theatre Company. Oz Scott earned a Drama Desk award for his pivotal 1976 Broadway production of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf. Television writing credits include Archie Bunker's Place, Alice and The Jeffersons. He has directed episodes of The Cosby Show, Northern Exposure, LA Law, Hill Street Blues, Fame, CSI:NY, Boston Legal and many others. Feature film credits include Bustin Loose starring Richard Pryor. Scott has participated in the Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Conference for the past dozen years. He is also the recipient of an NAACP Image Award.

Over the past several years, many new plays and musicals first seen in Hothouse at the Playhouse – our new play development program – have gone on to full productions here at the Playhouse and other prestigious theatres around the country! Don’t miss the next readings in this HOT series!

Hothouse readings are FREE, but reservations are recommended.

Call the Box Office at (626) 356-7529
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