A dramatic afterlife: The world premiere of 'Einstein and Roosevelts'
By: Lara Kramer
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Features
The lights turn low. The orchestra stills. Bright stars suddenly illuminate the stage and the audience. The theater seats are empty.
One of the final dress rehearsals for the world premiere of "Einstein and The Roosevelts" is underway, and as Albert Einstein comes down the aisle, a barely reserved excitement begins to brew. The cast knows that, very soon, these seats will be filled with students and Greencastle community members.
Directed by Professor Andrew Hayes, "Einstein and The Roosevelts" is set in the cosmos where a post-life birthday party is being planned for Eleanor Roosevelt. Organized by the deceased Alice Roosevelt, the guests include family members and past lovers, a combination sure to combust into a fury of entertainment. With the help of Albert Einstein and his latest musical invention, which summons moments from the past, the show relies on a clever mix of history and fantasy.
The cast and crew have spent an enormous amount of preparation time on the show, working closely with its two female writers, Nancy Ford '57 and Gretchen Cryer '57.
"We are very lucky that both Nancy and Gretchen have been a big part in preparing the show, said assistant director Katie Schmelzer, a senior. "I feel honored to be working on this production with such successful women."
And she certainly means "successful." Between the two of them, Ford and Cryer have received a Grammy nomination, an Obie, two Emmys, two Writers Guild Awards, a Drama Desk Award and more. The two women have also dedicated years to the show's research in order to make it historically accurate.
"According to Gretchen," Schmelzer said, "the Roosevelts weren't able to confront and resolve conflicts before they died, so in order to make the show dramatic and entertaining, they set the show in the afterlife."
Not only does DePauw have the opportunity to celebrate its alumni, but the DePauw cast of "Einstein and The Roosevelts" is the show's first ever. Including students, community members, professors and recent graduates, the cast is an eclectic variety of creative forces.
One of the final dress rehearsals for the world premiere of "Einstein and The Roosevelts" is underway, and as Albert Einstein comes down the aisle, a barely reserved excitement begins to brew. The cast knows that, very soon, these seats will be filled with students and Greencastle community members.
Directed by Professor Andrew Hayes, "Einstein and The Roosevelts" is set in the cosmos where a post-life birthday party is being planned for Eleanor Roosevelt. Organized by the deceased Alice Roosevelt, the guests include family members and past lovers, a combination sure to combust into a fury of entertainment. With the help of Albert Einstein and his latest musical invention, which summons moments from the past, the show relies on a clever mix of history and fantasy.
The cast and crew have spent an enormous amount of preparation time on the show, working closely with its two female writers, Nancy Ford '57 and Gretchen Cryer '57.
"We are very lucky that both Nancy and Gretchen have been a big part in preparing the show, said assistant director Katie Schmelzer, a senior. "I feel honored to be working on this production with such successful women."
And she certainly means "successful." Between the two of them, Ford and Cryer have received a Grammy nomination, an Obie, two Emmys, two Writers Guild Awards, a Drama Desk Award and more. The two women have also dedicated years to the show's research in order to make it historically accurate.
"According to Gretchen," Schmelzer said, "the Roosevelts weren't able to confront and resolve conflicts before they died, so in order to make the show dramatic and entertaining, they set the show in the afterlife."
Not only does DePauw have the opportunity to celebrate its alumni, but the DePauw cast of "Einstein and The Roosevelts" is the show's first ever. Including students, community members, professors and recent graduates, the cast is an eclectic variety of creative forces.
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