TAKE-A-SIDE TALKBACK SERIES

TAKE A SIDE: THE OLEANNA TALK-BACK SERIES will take place following every performance.

Since its creation, OLEANNA has always been a provocative and stimulating experience that incites conversation, discussion, and intellectual conflict. With THE OLEANNA TALK-BACK SERIES, for 20-30 minutes following each performance, distinguished celebrities from the worlds of media, entertainment, politics, law and education will discuss and debate the issues brought up by this production.

The group of panelists has been specifically chosen to contribute their specialized expertise and further stimulate spirited debate. New panelists confirmed include Emmy-winning TV talk show host Montel Williams, New York Post theater columnist Michael Riedel, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” star and Tony nominee Kathryn Erbe; former NY Knicks Senior Vice President Anucha Browne Sanders, who won a headline-grabbing 2006 sexual harassment suit against Madison Square Garden; 3-time Tony nominee Marc Kudisch, NYC Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs Kate D. Levin and attorney Ned H. Bassen. They join a roster that includes the previously-announced former New York City mayor David Dinkins; NYC Deputy Mayor of Education and Community Development Dennis Walcott; FOX News Channel legal analyst Lis Wiehl; Dean of the Tisch School of the Arts Mary Schmidt Campbell; Lies My Mother Never Told Me author Kaylie Jones; Founding and Managing Partner of Outten & Golden LLP Wayne N. Outten; Legal Partner of Proskauer Rose LLP Kathleen M. McKenna; NYU Professor of Urban Policy and Planning Mitchell Moss; and NYU/Tisch Associate Arts Professor and Laurence Maslon, with more to be announced. Click here to get your tickets now.

UPCOMING PANELISTS INCLUDE:

Thurs evening, Oct 15, 8PM: Panelist Bonnie Jacobson

Bonnie Jacobson  (Panelist) received a Ph.D. from New York University in 1971, in the department of applied psychology. Currently, she serves as an adjunct professor in this same department. Since 1980, she has been the director of the New York Institute for Psychological Change. This is a collaboration of Psychiatrists, Psycologists, and Social Workers, with a variety of specialties.

Linda Kenney Baden (Panelist) is one of the premier trial attorneys in the United States . She has both taught about and litigated landmark discrimination cases including those involving sexual harassment. She also represents defendants accused of murder such as high profile matters of NBA basketball star Jayson Williams, the first hung jury trial of music producer Phillip Spector and presently is the forensic attorney for Florida mother Casey Anthony.

Fri evening, Oct 16, 8PM: Panelists Bonnie Maslin and Kate Mulgrew

Bonnie Maslin  (Panelist) is a psychologist who has worked as a psychotherapist in private practice and an educator for over twenty years. She and her husband live in New York City and have four children together. Dr. Maslin's straightforward style of insight and practical advice has made her a sought-after public speaker and television commentator. She has lectured nationwide and appeared on many programs including the Today Show, the CBS Morning Show, Oprah, Court TV, and Larry King.

Kate Mulgrew (Panelist) is a veteran of numerous theatrical productions including Equus and Black Comedy on Broadway, as well as starring roles in Titus Andronicus, Hedda Gabler, Measure for Measure, and Our Town. Her TV roles include Star Trek: Voyager, Ryan's Hope, Heartbeat, Kate Columbo, as well as appearances on Cheers and Murphy Brown (Tracey Humanitarian Award).

Sat matinee, Oct 17, 2PM: Panelist Tammy Marzigliano

Tammy Marzigliano  (Panelist) is a partner at Outten & Golden LLP, where she represents employees in litigation and negotiation in all areas of employment law, including individual discrimination cases, sexual harassment cases, employment contracts, and wage and hour class actions. Ms. Marzigliano is the Co-Chair of Outten & Golden’s Sexual Harassment Practice Group.

Sat evening, Oct 17, 8PM: Panelist Kathryn Erbe

Kathryn Erbe (Actor) is well-known to TV audiences as Detective Alexandra Eames on NBC’s long-running drama “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” She began her career on the stage. A member of the Steppenwolf Theater Company, she has appeared in many of their productions, including Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire as Stella, Curse of the Starving Class and My Thing of Love. She earned a Tony Award nomination in 1991 for her portrayal of Mary in The Speed of Darkness.

Details on future dates will be announced in the coming days.

TO SEE A LIST OF PAST PANELISTS, CLICK HERE.

MODERATOR BIOGRAPHIES

Judith Kaye, JD (Talk-Back Moderator), President of Judith Kaye Training & Consulting, is a facilitator, lawyer and consultant with over 15 years' experience in the human relations field. She designs and implements programs for large and small businesses, governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations that want to increase their effectiveness with today's diverse workforce and consumer base. Her presentations and workshops are regularly offered for professional development credit to judges, social workers, educators and health care providers. A graduate of Brown University and Harvard Law School , Ms. Kaye is based in Providence , RI , and can be reached through her web site at www.judithkayeconsulting.com.

Cynthia Tornquist (Talk-Back Moderator), President of Tornquist Productions LLC, has 20-plus years experience in the TV industry. She produces celebrity event coverage, electronic press kits, video news releases, and website content for broadcast, the internet and corporate sales and marketing departments. Her clients include ET Canada, Disney Theatrical Productions, Boneau/Bryan-Brown Public Relations, Broadway League, TDF and the Country Music Association. Before she formed her company in 2004, Cynthia worked at CNN from 1985 to 2001, beginning as a production assistant and advancing to correspondent in 1989. She also has reported for News 12 NJ, UPI Radio and WWOR Radio. Cynthia lives in New York City. You can contact her through her website www.tornquistproductions.com

Lionel (Panelist) is the eponymous host of Air America Media’s syndicated Lionel Show, airing 6-9 AM in myriad markets including morning drive on 1050 AM in Washington, DC. Lionel is a 21-year talk radio veteran, author, stand-up comic and former criminal prosecutor and criminal defense trial lawyer. Lionel was recruited from his native Tampa, Florida, to bring his show to New York and WABC Radio (morning and afternoon drive) and then WOR Radio (evenings). He was a special commentator during the Clinton impeachment hearings on WCBS Radio. Lionel hosted his own TV series on Court TV entitled “Snap Judgment” and is a contributor to The Huffington Post. He’s appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News Channel and C-SPAN. As concerns the plot line in Oleanna, Lionel, being conversant with criminal law and the laws of sexual harassment, will attest to the fact that there’s nothing far-fetched about this most poignant drama. Lionel’s website is lionelonline.com.