Chautauqua Theater Company: Execution of Justice at Chautauqua Institution
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Route 394, Chautauqua, NY 14722
Preview Dates: July 12, 13 &15
Opening Date: July 16
Performance Dates: July 17–25
It’s 1978, and San Francisco is a divided city. The brutal murders of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk — the nation’s first openly gay elected official — shocked a nation. This gripping documentary play examines the trial of Dan White, the disgruntled former city supervisor whose reduced voluntary manslaughter conviction, rather than murder in the first degree, sparked outrage and introduced the infamous “Twinkie defense.” Ripped from the headlines, personal interviews, and court documents of the past but still resonating powerfully today, this play confronts themes of justice, prejudice, and privilege and grapples with the issues of gun violence and systemic homophobia. This contemporary classic challenges us to reflect on our identity as a nation.
Content advisory: This production contains depictions of violence, strong language, and intense courtroom drama surrounding real-life events.
Recommended for audiences ages 13 and older.