May 27, 2022 through June 19, 2022
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Showtimes are
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8:00 pm,
Sunday at 2:00 pm
Single tickets: $22
(Pay-what-you-can tickets available)
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Friday, May 27th - 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 28th - 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 29th - 2:00 pm
Thursday, June 2nd - 8:00 pm
Friday, June 3rd - 8:00 pm SOLD OUT!
Saturday, June 4th - 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 5th - 2:00 pm
Thursday, June 9th - 8:00 pm
Friday, June 10th - 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 11th - 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 12th - 2:00 pm SOLD OUT!
Thursday, June 16th - 8:00 pm
Friday, June 17th - 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 18th - 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 19th - 2:00 pm
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THEATRE NOVA PRESENTS
Relativity
by Mark St. Germain
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In 1902, Mileva and Albert Einstein had a daughter. After 1904, the child was never seen or spoken of again. When a reporter comes to interview Einstein about his mysterious family history forty years later, even more personal secrets unfold. This delightful comedy by the author of Freud’s Last Session explores questions about exceptionalism, family, and the responsibilities of the heart.
Directed by Carla Milarch. Featuring Anne Damman, Ellen Finch, and Phil Powers (Mazel Tov, John Lennon, Clutter, and Jihad Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes).
For the health, safety, and well-being of our patrons, staff, and artists, Theatre NOVA's current COVID-19 policy requires patrons to present proof of vaccination and wear a mask while in the building. We are currently limiting our seating capacity to 50% to allow social distancing. This policy is subject to change at any time, following fluctuating local, state, and federal guidelines. Please check our current COVID-19 policy before your scheduled performance date.
Pulp: Arts Around Ann Arbor
WHAT PRICE GENIUS? THEATRE NOVA’S "RELATIVITY" EXPLORES THE COMPLICATED LIFE OF ALBERT EINSTEIN
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"Milarch and her talented three-person cast present a production that builds on the basic idea that there are no easy answers to life's questions. Phil Powers begins his performance with all the trademark Einstein character we have come to admire, as much for his lovable presence as his genius. He has that wild, white mop of hair; that puckish grin and twinkling eyes; that jolly German accent.
But as the “reporter” begins to challenge him and push him to defend himself, Powers becomes a trapped tiger. Powers presents Einstein as the fighter, the survivor that he was. Anne Damman plays the “reporter” Margaret as a woman who understands that Einstein enjoys flirting with younger women, who loves to charm them with his humor and his intellect. Damman begins a charm campaign of her own and then begins to challenge and probe into the mystery of the daughter.
Ellen Finch rounds out the cast as Miss Dukas, Einstein’s long-time aide, housekeeper, and lover. Finch plays her as a fierce firewall for the genius who cannot be bothered by the trivialities of the world. Dukas finds the subtle humor in her conspiracy-minded character and offers a defense of the genius and his right to claim exceptional privilege.
The play runs about 90 minutes and is both humorous and serious.
EncoreMichigan
The three actors inhabit the intimate Theatre Nova performance space with excellent dynamic tension
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"Powers does terrific work inhabiting Einstein–a complex combination of wit, aging humility, and a drive to keep his status intact even though by this time Quantum Physics has begun to throw shade on Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.
Damman’s Harding is sharp and penetrating. Finch manages to straddle the line between common-law wife, housekeeper, protector, and secretary with great believability and hits just the right balance. Directed by Carla Milarch, the three actors inhabit the intimate Theatre Nova performance space with excellent dynamic tension for the 90-minute one-act work.
Relativity is set in post-war Princeton. But as with any good play worth doing, the theme and the energy of the story is as relevant today as it was then."
