Levy Lee Simon
Encyclopedia
Levy Lee Simon is an award-winning American playwright perhaps best known for his trilogy about the struggle for Haitian independence, For the Love of Freedom.
in Pennsylvania in the early 1980s, Levy first became seriously interested in the theatre. His girlfriend at the time had purchased tickets for them to see For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf
. "The Lady in Red," a character in the play, performed a piece about Toussaint L'ouverture
, which inspired Simon to learn more about the Haitian revolt. This eventually led to the development of his trilogy, For the Love of Freedom. Other plays by Simon include The Bow-Wow Club and God, the Crackhouse, and the Devil.
His screenplay adaptation of The Bow-Wow Club was optioned by Fox Searchlight and Spirit Dance, Forest Whitaker's
production company.
2004 - Ovation Nomination - For the Love of Freedom - Dessalines - Best New Play Nomination
2007 - Audelco Award - The Guest at Central Park West - Best Dramatic Production of the Year and Best Playwright.
Biography
Levy "Lee" Simon, Jr. was born in Harlem, New York. While an undergraduate at Cheyney State CollegeCheyney University of Pennsylvania
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is a public, co-educational historically black university that is a part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Cheyney University has a campus that is located in the Cheyney community within Thornbury Township, Chester County and Thornbury...
in Pennsylvania in the early 1980s, Levy first became seriously interested in the theatre. His girlfriend at the time had purchased tickets for them to see For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf is a 1975 experimental play by Ntozake Shange. Initially staged in California, it has been performed Off-Broadway and on Broadway, and adapted as a book, a television film, and a theatrical film...
. "The Lady in Red," a character in the play, performed a piece about Toussaint L'ouverture
Toussaint L'Ouverture
François-Dominique Toussaint Louverture , also Toussaint Bréda, Toussaint-Louverture was the leader of the Haitian Revolution. His military genius and political acumen led to the establishment of the independent black state of Haiti, transforming an entire society of slaves into a free,...
, which inspired Simon to learn more about the Haitian revolt. This eventually led to the development of his trilogy, For the Love of Freedom. Other plays by Simon include The Bow-Wow Club and God, the Crackhouse, and the Devil.
His screenplay adaptation of The Bow-Wow Club was optioned by Fox Searchlight and Spirit Dance, Forest Whitaker's
Forest Whitaker
Forest Steven Whitaker is an American actor, producer, and director. He has earned a reputation for intensive character study work for films such as Bird and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, and for his recurring role as ex-LAPD Lieutenant Jon Kavanaugh on the gritty, award-winning television...
production company.
Honors and awards
- 1999: Kennedy Center/ACTF Lorraine Hansberry Award - The Bow-Wow Club
- 2006: NAACP Theatre Award nomination, "Best Playwright" - For the Love of Freedom, Part III: Christophe - the Spirit - Passion and Glory
Further reading
2001 - Ten NAACP Nominations - For the Love of Freedom - Toussaint - Best Playwright Nomination2004 - Ovation Nomination - For the Love of Freedom - Dessalines - Best New Play Nomination
2007 - Audelco Award - The Guest at Central Park West - Best Dramatic Production of the Year and Best Playwright.