In 1969, peace-loving optimism and the
right to protest were put on trial when counter-culture icons
Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Bobby Seale, Tom Hayden and others
were tried by the federal government for conspiring to
incite riot  in the streets of Chicago during the Democratic
National Convention of 1968. Known as the "Chicago Seven,"
their prosecution was part inquisition, part three-ring
circus, and revealed the threats posed by a justice system
tainted by politics. On Monday, October 25th, Synapse
put the highlights of that astonishing and historic trial on
stage at The Culture Project, when we performed a one-night
only special event reading of Ron Sossi and Frank Condon's THE
CHICAGO CONSPIRACY TRIAL.  Directed by David Travis, our reading of
this funny and provocative adaptation of the original court
transcripts was brought to life by a cast of more than 20
outstanding actors, including Broadway veterans Jonathan Hogan
and Bill Buell.
An audience TalkBack followed the event,
led by Brooklyn Law School Professor Susan Herman, who was
joined on stage by special guest Leonard Weinglass (pictured
above) original defense attorney for the Chicago
Seven. |