Theatergoers interact with panelists and actors after the show at Van Wezel’s “Conversations Series” event

 

SARASOTA, FL (February 15, 2008) – On Feb. 10, the Van Wezel presented “Top Secret:  the Battle for the Pentagon Papers,” to a packed audience, completing its Conversations Series.  The Series provided a unique experience for theatergoers to interact with the actors and community leaders on the play’s subject matter after the show. 

 

“Top Secret” is an historical docu-drama providing an inside look at the The Washington Post’s decision to publish portions of the top-secret study documenting the United States’ involvement in Vietnam, which came to be known as “The Pentagon Papers.”  The play is a theatrical reading of a radio play. 

 

“This is very prescient of what’s been going on today about controlling the press, peeking in on the Internet, the freedom of the press and First Amendment issues,” said Susan Sullivan, who plays The Post’s publisher Katherine Graham

 

After the show, the panel engaged in a lively dialogue with the audience during dessert and coffee.  Panelists for the play’s Conversation included:

 

·      --Panel Moderator Neil Schleifer, an English teacher from Pineview School for the Gifted,

·      --Stars of the play John Heard and Gregory Harrison

·      --Bonnie Beth Greenball, Associate Director of the Institute for Public Policy and Leadership and Associate Professor of Constitutional Law at USF Sarasota-Manatee

·      --Timothy Rummage, Professor of Environmental Studies and Ecological Design at the Ringling College of Art and Design

·      --Robert Clementis, former advisor to NATO. 

 

The group discussed the importance of the moment in our nation’s history when classified documents were revealed through the national media with the imprimatur of the judicial system. 

 

In addition to Series subscribers and single-ticket buyers, local students discussed the issues they have been studying in the classroom during this community forum.  Constitutional Law students were interested in the accuracy of the depiction of President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in the production.  They also asked whether the impact of the corporate media affects journalistic integrity and whether the democratic principle of one person/one vote is accurately reflected under the Electoral College system.

 

For more information about the Conversations Series, please contact Bonnie Greenball at (941) 359-4243.