The Originalist

Actor Gero gives a superb performance as Justice Antonin Scalia in this recording of Strand’s play about the judicial views of the late Supreme Court justice. The play shows him not only as a staunch conservative and strict constitutionalist, but also as an opera buff and a warm, funny, caring human being. Gero is able to project all of those apparently contradictory qualities in his delightful wrangling over each legal issue with his clerk and ideological opposite Cat, played by Warren. Recorded during a live performance in June 2016, the audio edition includes an informative q&a session with two of Scalia’s former clerks, led by NPR’s legal affairs reporter, Nina Totenberg. In today’s political climate, the actors’ thoughtful and moving performances remind us to listen to and learn from one another. [em](Oct.) [/em]