Art and science unite in the next Studio Musical Theatre Series production at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Using Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity as a beautiful and thought-provoking metaphor, The Theory of Relativity offers a crash course in physics while telling the story of a group of interconnected people who are searching for love.
The cast of “The Theory of Relativity.” Photo by Kaelin Butts.
The musical runs Thursday, March 29 through Saturday, March 31, 2018, at CCM’s Cohen Family Studio Theater. Admission is free but reservations are required. Tickets become available at noon on Monday, March 26 through the CCM Box Office.
From Drama Desk Award nominees Neil Bartram and Brian Hill, The Theory of Relativity presents an array of characters experiencing life’s joys and heartbreaks and the inevitability and wonder of human connection.
The physics metaphors are expressed through lyrics, formulas and movement on stage, says CCM Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre Katie Johannigman, director and choreographer of The Theory of Relativity.
CCM’s production invited Dr. Richard Gass, Undergraduate Director of UC’s Physics Department, to give the cast a crash course on General Relativity to prepare for the show. What was planned as a 30-minute lesson turned into an over two-hour interactive lesson about light cones, Newton’s laws, The Theory of Relativity and more, Johannigman says.
“Our students became enraptured by the physics and it launched a huge discussion about technology usage in our generation, perceptions people try to maintain through social media and how important our every action is during our time here on Earth.”
Gass listened to the musical and applied all of the physics lessons through the lyrics in the songs. He later brought ten of his students to watch a rehearsal of the show and had a discussion with the cast of CCM Musical Theatre students about how art and science overlap. Johannigman and The Theory of Relativity cast are grateful for Gass’ help, she says.
“We sing about the cosmos and our insatiable need to connect with each other through witty and contemporary lyrics that often reference Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein’s findings,” Johannigman adds. “The Theory of Relativity is funny, sad, heart-warming and familiar — a whirl of stars figuring out where we fit into every expanding universe.”
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THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY
Music and Lyrics by Neil Bartram
Book by Brian Hill
Katie Johannigman, director and choreographer
Stephen Goers, musical director
CAST LIST
Delaney Guyer as Amy
Madison Deadman as Caroline
Camila Paquet as Catherine
Zoe Grolnick as Jenny
Kendall McCarthy as Julie
Mikayla Renthrow as Mira
Bailee Endebrock as Sara
Zach Triska as Adam
Dylan Mulvaney as Anthony
Dylan Dougal as Oliver
Jack Brewer as Mike
Sam Pickart as Paul
Frankie Thams as Ryan
Swings: Eli Goykham, Elle Zambarano
PERFORMANCE TIMES
- 8 p.m. Thursday, March 29
- 8 p.m. Friday, March 30
- 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, March 31
LOCATION
Cohen Family Studio Theater, CCM Village
University of Cincinnati
ADMISSION
Admission is free. Reservations are required. Tickets become available at noon on Monday, March 26. Please visit the CCM Box Office or call 513-556-4183 to reserve. Limit two tickets per order.
PARKING AND DIRECTIONS
Parking is available in the CCM Garage (located at the base of Corry Boulevard off Jefferson Avenue) and additional garages throughout the UC campus. Please visit uc.edu/parking for information on parking rates.
For detailed maps and directions, please visit uc.edu/visitors. Additional parking is available off-campus at the U Square complex on Calhoun Street and other neighboring lots.
For directions to CCM Village, visit ccm.uc.edu/about/directions.
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CCM Season Presenting Sponsor: The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation
Theory of Relativity is presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. http://www.MTIShows.com
CCM VILLAGE NEWS ARCHIVES 