Larry Parks’ Day in Court

The Drilling Company is thrilled to offer the re-discovery of “Larry Parks' Day in Court,” by the late Ron Marquette based on the actual HUAC hearing transcripts of 1950.

As the first witness to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee, Academy award nominee and Hollywood star Larry Parks ("The Jazz Singer ") faced the moral and ethical dilemmas of his time. This production highlights the struggle between an individual's conscience and the relentless attempt to seize control of democracy through fearmongering, the infamous Red Scare.

This compelling work, which premiered at the Shadowland Theater in 1995, will be revived under the inspired direction of founding artistic director Hamilton Clancy, also a member of the original cast.

“Although it has been 30 years since ‘Larry Parks' Day in Court’ was first presented, it feels more relevant than ever as we navigate contemporary challenges to democratic ideals,” said Hamilton Clancy. “The dialogue this work sparks about accountability, truth, and the cost of silence is as urgent now as it was in 1950.”

For almost 20 years, Ron Marquette was a titanic force in the arts of the Hudson Valley. The Phoenix Festival is a fitting site for the 30 year anniversary of this original production, from the Theatre maker who helped mold and revitalize a cultural community.