Scales of Justice

Scales of Justice by William Kovacsik

(0)
Productions (6)
Drama
|
120 - 130 minutes
3 W, 5 M, 
Content Notes: Adult language
Set: The majority of the play is set in the office of the St. Andrew's Law Review in northern New Jersey. Remaining scenes can be played in two small unit areas upstage.

The tight-knit cabal of editors at the Law Review at St. Andrews, a third-rate law school in New Jersey, faces graduation with dismal employment prospects. But the situation looks up when a reactionary Supreme Court Justice is convinced to speak at the Review's annual dinner. Some of the budding lawyers oppose the invitation on ideological grounds, and the conflict grows increasingly bitter as gender politics, racial equality and questions on freedom of speech tear both friendships and careers apart. This controversial speaker is sure to put the students on the map -- but at what cost?

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

The tight-knit cabal of editors at the Law Review at St. Andrews, a third-rate law school in New Jersey, faces graduation with dismal employment prospects. But the situation looks up when a reactionary Supreme Court Justice is convinced to speak at the Review's annual dinner. Some of the budding lawyers oppose the invitation on ideological grounds, and the conflict grows increasingly bitter as gender politics, racial equality and questions on freedom of speech tear both friendships and careers apart. This controversial speaker is sure to put the students on the map -- but at what cost?

  • Drama
  • |
  • 120 - 130 minutes
  • 3 W, 5 M, 
  • Content Notes: Adult language
  • Set: The majority of the play is set in the office of the St. Andrew's Law Review in northern New Jersey. Remaining scenes can be played in two small unit areas upstage.

Published Reviews

"Scales of Justice is a well-crafted and intelligent play...a consistently entertaining examination of the dangers of censorship in a free society. Moreover, it explores the perils of self-righteousness and blind self-justification -- growing threats that undermine rational discourse on both sides of the political spectrum."

Los Angeles Times

"Scales of Justice [is an] impeccably structured and snappily written new play."

LA Weekly

"Kovacsik's script...illustrates the way a seemingly harmless event can trigger a larger effect. Causes and effects escalate out of control, and the ultimate effects on a small group of law students are devastating...Kovacsik has a natural ear for dialogue, and his script gives [the] company an incisive, mature and intelligent text from which to work."

Orange County Register

"Scales of Justice, by talented playwright William C. Kovacsik, is well-written and captivating...it's both entertaining and philosophically provocative. [The play] probes how far we're willing to go to gain practical advantage at the risk of personal convictions, and how much damage we're willing to inflict on colleagues to avoid losing."

Easy Reader (Long Beach)

"With a Law & Order marathon running every holiday weekend, it's easy to think we have as many legal thrillers as we can take. Make room for one more: Scales of Justice by William C. Kovacsik, in its world premiere at the Long Beach Playhouse...it avoids dead bodies and cute detectives but somehow makes dry legal arguments emotionally touching...Kovacsik makes you care passionately about this debate."

Grunion Gazette (Long Beach)

"Undoubtedly the best play of the Long Beach Playhouse's 2001 New Works series, Scales of Justice bears this distinction for a reason. In a phrase, it is bold, smart as a whip and inspired... After viewing last year's provocative reading of Scales of Justice, one of four plays chosen by the Playhouse committee out of some 250 new works submitted, I awaited this full production World Premiere with delighted anticipation. I was not disappointed. See this thought-provoking drama if you can."

Signal Tribune (Long Beach)

Production History

JAN 01, 2004 - DEC 31, 2004
WorkShop Theater Co.
New York, NY United States
WorkShop Theater Co.New York, NY United States
AUG 01, 2002 - OCT 01, 2002
Long Beach Playhouse
Long Beach, CA United States
Long Beach PlayhouseLong Beach, CA United States
JAN 01, 1999 - DEC 31, 1999
Dayton Playhouse FutureFest
Dayton, OH United States
Dayton Playhouse FutureFestDayton, OH United States
JAN 01, 1998 - DEC 31, 1998
Riverside Stage Co.
East Norwalk, CT United States
Riverside Stage Co.East Norwalk, CT United States
JAN 01, 1997 - DEC 31, 1997
Antipodes Theatre Co.
, NY United States
Antipodes Theatre Co., NY United States
JAN 01, 1997 - DEC 31, 1997
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA United States
Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA United States
No upcoming productions.
AUG 01, 2002 - OCT 01, 2002
Long Beach Playhouse
Long Beach, CA United States
Long Beach PlayhouseLong Beach, CA United States
JAN 01, 1999 - DEC 31, 1999
Dayton Playhouse FutureFest
Dayton, OH United States
Dayton Playhouse FutureFestDayton, OH United States

Awards (2)

Best Play, Dayton Playhouse FutureFest (1999)

Winner, Long Beach Playhouse New Play Festival (2001)