2008 Woodie Awards
Remembering Levy: Colgate Honors a Cultural Icon
May, Andrew
Issue date: 2/4/05 Section: Arts & Features
- Page 1 of 3 next >
|
On Saturday evening, Colgate students, professors and alums gathered together in Brehmer Theater to listen to a reading of a play entitled A Cold Shattered Light to honor the memory of Jacques Levy, who headed Colgate's Theater department for 12 years. Levy, who died of cancer in September, was regarded as one of popular culture's renaissance men, known for his work as a Broadway director and for his lyrical collaborations with Bob Dylan and Roger McGuinn of the Byrds.
A Cold Shattered Light, written by Christian Greer '99, explores the strain between politics and family life in today's media-saturated, politically-divided culture. The play takes place in Washington D.C. where Rebecca and John Austin (played by Carolyn Fischer '00 and Kieran Campion '99) are coping with their daughter Katie's homosexuality (Carrie Flynn '99) in the midst of Rebecca's plans to run for the United States Senate. Filled with overtones of the recent 2004 Presidential election, ideological differences stifle the Austin family and pit their love for one and other against their political loyalties. The play is the fifth production by the Bobik Arts Ensemble, which Levy helped found in 2000.
"We really owe this theater company's existence to Jacques," remarked Greer, who considers the play a work in progress. "I'm really happy that we could honor him in this way."
At the reception that followed, friends and colleagues praised the man who touched so many of their lives. "Jacques really helped me advance and improve my persona and ability," remarked Kieran Campion '99, who has been working as an actor since he left Colgate. "Tonight's reading was a real [celebration of] what he meant to all of us."
"Just watching Jacques was an inspiration," added Tara Meddaugh '99, who played the role of a snooping Fox News reporter in the play. "I don't think I can find the words to describe what he meant to me."
"I was really glad that this event happened," agreed senior Nick Thielen. "It was exactly what Jacques would have wanted."
Because the readers included both alumni as well as those still active at Colgate, a complete production of A Cold Shattered Light was not a feasible task. Nevertheless, most in attendance agreed that the lack of stage blocking did not significantly detract from the play's vitality. "The readers really made the story come alive," sophomore Kevin Barber said.
While the play was selected because of its affiliation with the Bobik Arts Ensemble rather than its content, most agreed that the spirit of the evening was most important. "I think the overtones of the play would have definitely been up Jacques' alley," Campion observed. "But to show all the people he influenced I think says a lot more."