In 1965, Levy directed Sam Shepard's play Red Cross at the Judson Poets Theater, New York City. The following year he directed two of the short plays in Jean-Claude van Itallie's America Hurrah. In 1969, Levy directed the successful off-BroadwayeroticrevueOh! Calcutta! During this period, Levy approached Roger McGuinn of The Byrds to collaborate on Gene Tryp, a project inspired by Henrik Ibsen's Peer Gynt. While development of the musical stalled, one song, "Chestnut Mare," became the single released from the album' in 1970. Although it only peaked at #121 in the United States, the song reached #19 in the United Kingdom and ultimately became an enduring FM radio staple in America. Many further Levy-McGuinn songs appeared on Byrds and McGuinn albums during the 1970s. In 1973, Levy and Van Itallie reunited for Mystery Play, which starred Judd Hirsch and ran for 14 performances off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre. The songwriting partnership between McGuinn and Levy endured until 1977's Thunderbyrd, a McGuinn solo album. In the mid-seventies, Levy met Bob Dylan through McGuinn. Shortly thereafter, the two collaborated on "Isis" and another six songs which appeared on Dylan's 1976 album Desire. These included "Hurricane" and "Joey". He also directed the first leg of Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue in 1975. Levy's lyrics would enter the repertoires of Joe Cocker, Crystal Gayle and Carly Simon. In 1980, he staged Stephen Poliakoff's play American Days at Manhattan Theatre Club, which featured David Blue, one of the performers in the Rolling Thunder Revue. Frank Rich in his review for The New York Times wrote: "Jacques Levy, the director, matches the crackling energy of the text blow for blow." In 1983 he staged ' on Broadway. In 1988 he provided the lyrics for the stage musical of the film Fame. Later came Marat/Sade, Bus Stop, and Brecht on Brecht. From 1993 until his death from cancer in 2004, he was a professor of English and director of the drama program at Colgate University in upstate New York.
Personal life
He had two children, Maya and Julien, with his wife Claudia.
Theatrical credits
Broadway
Oh! Calcutta! – revue – director
Oh! Calcutta! – revue – director and contributing songwriter
Almost an Eagle – play – director
' – musical – director
Note: Fame, the stage musical, was not presented on Broadway, but has been playing in London's West End since 1995. Off Broadway'
America Hurrah – play – director – Pocket Theatre – American premiereMystery Play – play – director – Cherry Lane Theatre – American premiereAmerican Days – play – director – Manhattan Theatre Club – American premiereTRYP'' – play – dramaturge
