our 22nd season
Read the script of Mesmeric Revelation
Central Works opens this year's season of world premieres with a new play inspired by a story from that master of the metaphysical, Edgar Allen Poe.
Paris, on the eve of the Revolution, the most learned men in the world gather at the Royal Academy of Science. Antoine Lavoisier, esteemed director of the Academy, leads an inquiry into the latest craze sweeping through French Society. The scandalous Dr. Anton Mesmer claims he can cure any patient of any illness by "mesmerizing" them – placing them in a mysterious trance-like state. Can such a claim be proven scientifically? Antoine, the "Father of Modern Chemistry," faces off against Anton, the "Wizard of Vienna," in a fiery clash of science and mysticism.
Mesmeric Revelation is the second production developed by Central Works with playwright/director Aaron Henne. Last year Henne's journey into the surreal, A Man's Home…an ode to Kafka's Castle, prompted George Heymont of the Huffington Post to declare, "If you want theatre that pushes the creative envelope to the limits, don't miss this show." A new production of A Man's Home opens at New York's Bread and Water Theatre on February 24, concurrent with the premiere of Mr. Henne's latest Central Works collaboration.
Read the Poe story, Mesmeric Revelation
Read about Mesmer's treatments, like bathing in this tub filled with magnetized water, and further background information for the play on the Central Works Theater facebook page.
Written and Directed by
Aaron Henne
Thurs, Fri, and Sat at 8pm
Sun at 5pm
Tickets: $25 online
(Advance sales by phone thru
Brown Paper Tickets: 800.838.3006)
$25 – $14 sliding scale at the door
Pay-what-you-can at the door:
Previews (Feb 16 & 17), Feb 23 & Mar 1
Post-show Talk-backs:
Playwrights Night-Feb 19
Actors Night-March 11
Information & subscriber reservations:
510.558.1381
A Central Works Method Play developed
in collaboration with Theo Black, Gary Graves,
Joe Jordan, Gregory Scharpen and Jan Zvaifler.
Ensemble
Theo Black
Antoine Lavoiser
Joe Jordan
Franz Anton Mesmer
Reg Clay
stage management
Tammy Berlin
costumes
Gary Graves
lights
Gregory Scharpen
operator/sound
Jan Zvaifler
producing director
The play runs 90 minutes
with no intermission
This production is made possible with the generous support of the Bernard Osher Foundation, Kenneth Rainin Foundation and Wilder Green Fund.
