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Honoring Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg
A Webinar Series Presented by Theatre Or and Tattered Cover
Based on the play “Sisters in Law” by Jonathan Shapiro
Featuring Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and
Colorado Supreme Court Justices Monica Márquez,Melissa Hart, and Maria Berkenkotter
Denver, CO: Theatre Or* and Tattered Cover present Honoring Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a free webinar series designed as community outreach in association with the Colorado premiere of the play “Sisters In Law” by Jonathan Shapiro, produced by Theatre Or in association with Elizabeth Weber, Dale Franzen, and Don Franzen. Based on the bestseller by Linda Hirshman, the play explores the relationship between Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first two women to become Supreme Court Justices. The purpose of the webinar series is educational – to provide the public with more insight into these iconic women and their careers, accomplishments, and legacies. It is also designed to illuminate the artistic process in bringing this double biography to life on the stage. The play runs September 25 through October 31 at the John Hand Theater in Lowry. The five webinars run September 2 through October 20 with specific dates, topics, and participants listed below. Viewers can register for the webinar series at https://www.tatteredcover.com/sisters-law.
“We see two outstanding role models who come from different backgrounds with differing political philosophies, who overcome barriers and rise to become Supreme Court Justices. Justices O’Connor and Ginsburg find common ground, despite their conflicting approaches to effecting change. And they do it with civility. Hence, they are sisters IN law. This is the only theatre in the country where you can see this play before it debuts off-Broadway sometime in 2022.”
— Theatre Or Producing Artistic Director Diane Gilboa.
“We are thrilled to partner with Theatre Or on such a meaningful series of webinars. Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg transformed the Supreme Court and set an incredible precedent for women in the legal world. It is an honor to highlight these two trailblazers through such an exciting line-up of events.”
— Kwame Spearman, CEO of Tattered Cover
This webinar series is proudly sponsored by the following: The League of Women Voters, The Colorado Bar Association, The Denver Bar Association, Boulder Jewish Community Center, The National Council of Jewish Women, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Tierney Lawrence LLC, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP, University Lending Corporation, and The University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
Brief descriptions of each of the five webinar programs appear below. However, the insight and interests of each participant will help shape the discussion.
Webinar Co-hosts
Alan Frosh – Chief Community Officer of Tattered Cover
Diane Gilboa – Producing Artistic Director, Theatre Or
The Art of the Play, Thursday, September 2 – 6:30 p.m.
This segment will cover how the play came to be, how the playwright adapts a play from a biography, and how the director works with the playwright to update the script. It will also contain a sneak preview from the two actresses playing the iconic justices, to give the audience some insight as to how the artistic process works.
Participants
Jonathan Shapiro – Playwright, screenwriter, attorney formerly with the Justice Department
Elizabeth Weber – Original producer of “Sisters in Law“
Sally Knudsen – Actress playing Sandra Day O’Connor
A. Lee Massaro – Actress playing Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Moderator: Diane Gilboa – Producing Artistic Director, Theatre Or
Getting to Know Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Monday, September 13 – 6:30 p.m.
This segment is designed to give insight into the women who became the justices, on a personal as well as a professional level.
Participants
Attorney General Phil Weiser – Colorado Attorney General, former clerk for Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Justice Ruth McGregor – Former Arizona Supreme Court Justice, friend of Sandra Day O’Connor
Linda Hirshman – Author of Sisters in Law, the book on which the play is based.
Moderator: Scott Levin – Regional Director of the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) Mountain States
The Legal Cases, Tuesday, September 28 – 6:30 p.m.
Our own “sisters in law”on the Colorado Supreme Court will discuss with CU Professor Helen Norton the major legal cases with which the Supreme Court Justices were involved, along with those cases’ legal and societal impacts.
Participants
Justice Monica Márquez – Colorado Supreme Court Justice
Justice Melissa Hart – Colorado Supreme Court Justice
Justice Maria Berkenkotter – Colorado Supreme Court Justice
Moderator: Professor Helen Norton – Professor and Ira C. Rothgerber, Jr. Chair in Constitutional Law at the University of Colorado Law School
Legacy Monday, October 4 – 6:30 p.m.
Panel participants will speak with CU Law School’s newest Dean about what these women mean to them personally, to the law and legal education and opportunities for all United States citizens, especially women. They will also speak to work left undone.
Participants
Essence Duncan – Second Year Law Student
Arash Jahanian – Deputy General Counsel for Denver Public Schools and former staff attorney at the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union)
Jon Olafson – Partner at Lewis Brisbois, Colorado Bar Association Executive Council member
Moderator: Dean Lolita Buckner Inniss – Dean of University of Colorado Law School
Legal Reform Wednesday, October 20 – 6:30 p.m.
Taking the Legacy segment one step further, the panelists for this segment will explore with prize-winning journalist Dahlia Lithwick the necessity of legal system reform including the subtopic of court reform. Is it needed? Why or why not?
Participants
Rebecca Kourlis – Former Colorado Supreme Court Justice, founder of IAALS (Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System), and Principal Aegis ADR
David Yellen – Chief Executive Officer of IAALS
Moderator: Dahlia Lithwick – Lawyer and journalist for Slate, who writes about law and politics in the United States
About the Show: Based on The New York Times Best Seller, “Sisters in Law” tells the true story of Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg in an intimate and fascinating live stage production. The relationship between O’Connor and Ginsburg—Republican and Democrat, Christian and Jew, western rancher’s daughter and Brooklyn girl—transcends party, religion, region, and culture. Strengthened by each other’s presence, these groundbreaking judges, the first and second women to serve on the highest court in the land, have transformed the Constitution and America itself, making it a more equal place for all women.
“Sisters in Law” combines legal detail with warm personal anecdotes that bring these very different women into focus like never before. Meticulously researched and compellingly told, it is an authoritative account of our changing law and culture, and a moving story of a remarkable friendship.
“Sisters in Law” features the talents of Sally Knudsen as Sandra Day O’Connor and A. Lee Massaro as Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Amy Feinberg directs. Set Design by Laura Love, Sound Design by Rick Reid, Lighting Design by Steve Tangedal, Costume Design by Rachel Finley and Properties Design by Donna Kanne. Technical Direction by Brian Miller.
Playwright Jonathan Shapiro will be in residence October 1 through 3, and additional eminent speakers are planned for other post-show talkbacks with the audience.
About Tattered Cover Book Store
For the last 50 years, Tattered Cover has served as a Denver bookstore and institution for literature lovers from all walks of life. Tattered Cover is a locally owned business with an unwavering commitment to its customers and the community, with five unique stores in Metro Denver, three satellite stores at Denver International Airport, and a new Westminster location opening in fall 2021. Under new ownership as of December 2020, the Tattered Cover team, led by CEO Kwame Spearman, is guided by its mission to be a haven for knowledge, community, and conversation. Tattered Cover is committed to its vision of curating memorable, community-based experiences, and leveraging all the treasures of literature, for the intellectually curious, passionately creative, and socially engaged. For more information, visit tatteredcover.com
To purchase the book Sisters in Law at Tattered Cover bookstore, go to: http://www.tatteredcover.com/book/9780062238474
About Theatre Or
Theatre Or, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) theatre company, aims to introduce works that the entire community would not ordinarily see anywhere else. Their mission is to produce professional provocative theatre with Jewish interest and universal appeal. Theatre Or produced the musical “My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding” by David Hein and Irene Sankoff, whose second musical, “Come from Away,” became a Broadway sensation. “Sisters In Law” will next be seen off-Broadway in 2022. So proud to have introduced Denver audiences to these unique shows.
*Or is the Hebrew word for light
Theatre Or in Association with Elizabeth Weber, Dale Franzen, and Don Franzen
Presents the Colorado Premiere of:
“Sisters in Law” By Jonathan Shapiro
Based on the book by Linda Hirshman
Directed by Amy Feinberg
The story of two polar opposites who just happen to be the first and second women on the United States Supreme Court.
September 25 through October 31
The John Hand Theater
7653 East 1st Place
Denver, CO 80230
Tickets: Single and group tickets on sale now
www.theatreor.com or call 303.801.5122
For more information, email theatreor@mindspring.com.
Full Performance Schedule:
Friday, September 24, 7:30PM – Preview SOLD OUT
Saturday, September 25, 7:30PM – Opening Night
Sunday, September 26, 2:00PM
Friday, October 1, 7:30PM – Talkback with playwright
Saturday, October 2, 2:00PM – Talkback with playwright SOLD OUT
Saturday, October 2, 7:30PM – Talkback with playwright SOLD OUT
Sunday, October 3, 2:00PM – Talkback with playwright
Friday, October 8, 7:30PM
Saturday, October 9, 7:30PM
Sunday, October 10, 2:00PM
Thursday, October 14, 7:30PM*
Friday, October 15, 7:30PM
Saturday, October 16, 7:30PM SOLD OUT
Sunday, October 17, 2:00PM
Monday, October 18, 7:30PM – Industry Night
Friday, October 22, 8:00PM SOLD OUT
Saturday, October 23, 7:30PM
Sunday, October 24, 2:00PM
Sunday, October 24, 6:30PM*
Friday, October 29, 7:30PM
Saturday, October 30, 2:00PM*
Saturday, October 30, 7:30PM
Sunday, October 31, 2:00PM
*Added Performances
