A Free Evening of Shakespeare, Law and Politics at the Shubert Theatre on May 31

Business Wire, May 10, 2006

BOSTON -- The Federalist Society and Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (CSC) are hosting a thought-provoking and fun evening of Shakespeare, law and politics at Boston's Shubert Theatre on 265 Tremont St. in Boston on Wednesday, May 31 at 5:00 p.m. The event features a one-hour staged reading of Julius Caesar followed by a discussion of Caesar, Bush and the limits of executive power.

The event is hosted by former U.S. Attorney and Governor of Pennsylvania Dick Thornburgh and moderated by FOX News's Megyn Kendall. It features Boston's best and brightest in the legal world, performing key scenes from Shakespeare's classic depiction of the abuse of executive power, political assassination and intrigue - a plot that would rival any episode of 24 or The West Wing.

Noted scholars Harvey Mansfield (Harvard University, author of Manliness) and Juliette Kayyem (John F. Kennedy School of Government and NBC National Security Analyst) will lead the post-play discussion, which asks whether Bush presides over an "imperial presidency," and will focus on whether the President has abused his executive powers and run roughshod over the legislative and judicial branches in prosecuting his war on terrorism.

Participants in the play-reading include six sitting federal court judges, one supreme judicial court judge and the managing partners of two of Boston's largest firms: WilmerHale and Ropes & Gray. The cast is headed by former U.S. Attorney Wayne Budd as Caesar, Federal Judge Douglas Woodlock as Brutus, Gadsby Hannah partner Dan Kelly as Cassius and Federal Judge Rya Zobel as Marc Antony. The reading will be directed by Steven Maler, artistic director of CSC and resident director of the Wang Center.

The Federalist Society is an academic oriented organization comprised of law students, attorneys, professors and judges committed to creating awareness and discussion of timely and timeless issues affecting the law and society. The Society is dedicated to ensuring that traditional legal principles - limited constitutional government, the separation of powers, individual freedom and responsibility, and the rule of law - remain part of the legal debate. CSC is dedicated to performing the works of William Shakespeare in vital and contemporary productions that are presented free of charge to Boston's diverse communities. Founded in 1996, CSC has impacted over 300,000 people through its Free Shakespeare on the Common and Tour of the Parks productions as well as its performing arts workshops.

For more information, please contact Dan Kelly at 617 345-7026 and dkelly@ghlaw.com.