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SCIENCE AND MORALITY COLLIDE AT THE LOFT THEATRE IN
THE HUMAN RACE THEATRE’S COPENHAGEN,
OCTOBER 20 – NOVEMBER 6, 2005
(Dayton, OH) – September 7, 2005 – October 3, 2005 – A world at war, two scientists and a meeting that may well have determined who would create the most dangerous weapon mankind has ever known. Dayton audiences will bare witness to a pivotal moment in history when The Human Race Theatre Company presents Michael Frayn’s Tony Award-winning drama Copenhagen, October 20 – November 6, at the Loft Theatre. The production begins the 2005 – 2006 Humana Loft Series 2 in recognition of the United Nations designating 2005 as the International Year of Physics.
In September of 1941, Werner Heisenberg made a clandestine trip to Copenhagen to see his old friend and mentor, Niels Bohr. At the time, Heisenberg was the head of the Nazi’s nuclear fission program and Bohr, a world-renowned physicist, was a partial Jew living a cautious life in recently occupied Denmark. Both men had earlier won the Nobel Prize in Physics. World War II raged around them and work on the practical applications of atomic energy was progressing at lighting speed. Heisenberg arrived at Bohr’s home without his usual SS escort and the two men went for a walk to discuss matters in private, away from the prying ears of their Gestapo observers. The purpose of Heisenberg’s visit and what they talked about are unknown to this day. Did Heisenberg hope to gain knowledge of the Allied atomic weapons efforts? Did he want Bohr to assist him with a scientific issue that would advance the German team? Was Heisenberg seeking ethical counseling from his mentor? No record of their conversation exists and both men have given different accounts of their time together. This much is known – Heisenberg left abruptly, Bohr was angry and their relationship was severed.
Copenhagen is playwright Michael Frayn’s attempt to explore the possibilities as Bohr and Heisenberg are joined on stage by Bohr’s wife, Margrethe, in a limbo beyond, after all three are dead. Still confused about what each other’s or their own intent was, they relive that fateful meeting. As they discuss it, they repeat the scene but each time they look in and observe that night, the momentum has changed. Frayn, also known for his 1980s comedy Noises Off and the recent Broadway hit Democracy, won the Tony Award for Best Play for Copenhagen in 2000 when it opened on Broadway.
The Human Race’s Artistic Director Marsha Hanna directs the production, starring Caitlin Hart as Margrethe Bohr, Scott Stoney as Werner Heisenberg and Evan Thompson as Niels Bohr.
Caitlin Hart is a Chicago native with numerous credits in regional theatres across the country, including Finding the Sun and Trojan Women at the Goodman Theatre, The Grapes of Wrath at Indiana Repertory Theatre and Syracuse Stage, and New Dramatists, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Arkansas Rep and Cleveland Playhouse.
Scott Stoney is a Resident Artist with The Human Race, well known to audiences in the Miami Valley. Last year he starred in Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, The Retreat from Moscow and Green Gables. This season, in addition to his performance in Copenhagen, he will appear as Horton the Elephant in the Loft Series’ December production of Seussical.
Evan Thompson has a long and varied career in theatre, film and television. His credits include the Broadway productions of City of Angels, 1776, Ivanov and An American Daughter, the national tour of La Cage aux Folles and the New York Shakespeare Festival’s Everybody’s Ruby. He has been seen on television in The Donna Reed Show, Law & Order and Kate & Allie.
Both Caitlin and Evan have appeared on the daytime television drama All My Children.
Marsha Hanna has been the Artistic Director of The Human Race Theatre Company since 1990 and a resident director since its founding. She has produced over 50 shows for the company and directed such notable productions as Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, The Dazzle, Art and The Elephant Man.
Behind the scenes, Human Race Theatre Technical Director Scott J. Kimmins is scenic designer, Mary Beth McLaughlin is the costume designer and John Rensel is the lighting designer. Elizabeth Grunenwald is the production stage manager.
Copenhagen is presented with support from St. Clair Lofts, Brian Sharp, Larry S. Glickler of Bradford-Connelly & Glickler Funeral Home, Requarth Lumber and Wyle Laboratories. Humana of Ohio is the sponsor of the Loft Series. Media Sponsor for the Humana Loft Series is WYSO Public Radio/91.3 FM. The Official Host for the Humana Loft Series is the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Dayton.
Copenhagen is on stage at the Loft Theatre October 20 – November 6. The Tuesday, November 1, evening performance is at 7:00 pm. (Please note: This is a new curtain time for the 2005 – 2006 season.) The Saturday, October 29, performance may be sign interpreted and/or audio described upon request with two weeks advance notice to Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630. Immediately following the Sunday, October 30, matinee, The Human Race will hold its “While We’re on the Subject” post-show discussion with director Marsha Hanna and Dr. Lok C. Lew Yan Voon, professor and chair of Wright State University’s Department of Physics.
The Human Race and Single Source News will host the “Singles Night at the Race” mixer on Saturday, October 29, for Miami Valley singles who enjoy the performing arts. Tickets for the evening performance and post-show party in the Loft Theatre lobby are $25 and must be purchased in advance by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630.
Tickets for Copenhagen are just $29 each, and discounts are available for senior citizens, students and groups. Tickets are on sale now via Ticket Center Stage, with box office locations at the Victoria Theatre and Schuster Center in downtown Dayton. To order tickets by phone, call (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630. Ticket Center Stage hours are Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturday, noon – 4 p.m. The Loft Theatre box office opens two hours prior to each performance. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketcenterstage.com.
For more information about Copenhagen, The Human Race Theatre Company and the Humana Loft Series, visit www.humanracetheatre.org.
The Human Race Theatre Company receives organizational support from Culture Works, Montgomery County and The Shubert Foundation. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund The Human Race Theatre Company with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.
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Founded in 1986, The Human Race Theatre Company moved to the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence at The Loft, a 219-seat theatre. In addition to the Humana Loft Series 1, produced in collaboration with the Victoria Theatre Association, The Human Race produces the Humana Loft Series 2, the Musical Theatre Workshop series and special event programming. The Human Race, under the direction of Artistic Director Marsha Hanna and Executive Director Kevin Moore, also maintains educational outreach programs for children six to eighteen, guest artists and artist residencies in area schools, The Muse Machine In-School Tour, Youth Summer Stock and The Human Race Conservatory. The new Caryl D. Philips Creativity Center of The Human Race opens in the fall of 2005 to provide a space for extensive theatre education classes and workshops.
CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:
The Human Race Theatre Company presents
Copenhagen
by Michael Frayn
October 20 – November 6, 2005
Produced by The Human Race Theatre Company
Performed at the Loft Theatre
126 N. Main Street
Dayton, Ohio 45402
Directed by Marsha Hanna
Starring Caitlin Hart, Scott Stoney and Evan Thompson
For tickets, call: Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630
Ticket prices: $29 General Admission, $27 Seniors, $14.50 Students
In 1941, Werner Heisenberg, the leading scientist in Nazi Germany’s nuclear fission program, made a clandestine trip to visit his longtime friend, the brilliant Danish physicist, Niels Bohr. The reason for Heisenberg’s visit and what the two men discussed have been a matter of intrigue and speculation for decades. Michael Frayn brilliantly proposes one possible scenario in this Tony Award-winning play which asks, “Just because you can do something, does that mean you should?”
Performance dates:
Wednesday, October 19 8:00 p.m. “Pay What You Can” performance
Thursday, October 20 8:00 p.m. Opening
Friday, October 21 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 22 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 23 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 26 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 27 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 28 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 29 8:00 p.m. “Singles Night at the Race” performance
Sunday, October 30 2:00 p.m. “While We’re on the Subject” post-show discussion
Sunday, October 30 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 1 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 2 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 3 8:00 p.m.
Friday, November 4 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 5 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 6 2:00 p.m.