THE LAST TESTAMENT OF JOHANNES JUNIUS
THE LAST TESTAMENT OF JOHANNES JUNIUS is Joe's latest theatrical project and was inspired by Yanni Simonides' brilliant “Apology of Socrates” performed last winter at Augusta State University. Joe's creation is a one-act, one-man dramatization based on a letter that Junius wrote to his daughter from prison before he was put to death on false charges. Though Junius was Mayor of the German city of Bamberg, he was still arrested and tortured for witchcraft in 1628. Finally he broke under his torture and fabricated a confession. Joe recently performed this piece to great acclaim at the Friedman Library. Because Junius would have been shaved, Joe cut off his wild mane and donated it to Locks of Love.www.locksoflove.org
This production's relevance to us today is clearly visible as the United States has openly advocated and allowed torture (exceptional interrogation) on persons suspected of terrorism. People the world over are subjected to brutal intimidation on the basis of race, religion, gender and politics. “Men never do evil so cheerfully, so completely as when they do it in the name of religion.” (Blaise Pascal)
The Friedman performance was covered in the Augusta Chronicle - //chronicle.augusta.com/stories/081408/ric_469296.shtml
The text and background of the letter is//exchristian.net/exchristian/2002/04/johannes-junius-letter-between-1618.php
For more details, email Joe .