The stories of two real 18th-century French scientists -- one who tried to create an artificial duck and another who outfitted frogs in trousers for his research -- will unfold in "Great Men of Science, Nos. 21 and 22," the first production of the School of Drama's 1998-99 season. The play will be presented Monday-Saturday, Oct. 19-24 at the University Theatre, 222 York St.
Just nominated in the "Best New Play" category of LA Weekly's Ovation Awards, "Great Men of Science" was written by Glen Berger, with original music by John Kline. It will be directed by Wier Harman, a student at the School of Drama, who is presenting the work as his thesis project.
Based on fact, "Great Men of Science" is set during The Enlightenment, when scientific advances were celebrated as equal to developments in philosophy, art and literature.
The production is composed of two short plays. The first, "Life, the Canard," tells the story of inventor Jacques de Vaucanson, who, in order to prove the existence of God, atttempts to create a clockwork duck that eats, excretes, flaps its wings, ruffles its feathers and bobs its neck -- just like a real duck. Driven by his love for the two-timing Gabrielle Du Chatalet, Vaucanson attempts to win her favor by completing his automation for entry into a scientific competition.
The second play, "A Frog He Would A-Wooing Go," depicts the relationship between Lazzaro Spallanzani and his disgruntled but loyal housekeeper, who reveal their mutual affection as they battle over the ingredients of his latest experiment in the reproductive process -- 29 live frogs and 29 tiny pairs of tight-fitting tafetta trousers.
"Great Men of Science" explores the themes of unfulfilled love, spirituality and what constitutes "a life's work," notes Harman, who served as resident director and marketing director of Seattle's Annex Theatre for eight years before coming to Yale. "'Great Men of Science' is beautiful, inspiring and a bit loopy, a new play overflowing with the sincerity and single-mindedness of the lives it depicts," he adds.
The cast features Adrienne Carter as Reason/Chatalet, Robert Devaney as Le Cat/Condorcet, Adrian LaTourelle as Vaucanson, Ronald Dean Nolen as Spellanzani, Joey Parsons as the Housekeeper and Paul Tigue as Abbe. The artistic staff includes scenic designer David Swayze, costume designer Miranda Hoffman, lighting designer Thomas Dunn, sound designer Shane Rettig, dramaturg Katherine Profeta and stage manager Terry Anne Ciofalo.
Tickets for "Great Men of Science" are $10 for Monday-Thursday performances and $12 for Friday and Saturday. Performance times are 7 p.m. Monday and 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Additional discounts are available for students, groups and senior citizens. For more information and reservations, call the Yale Repertory Theatre box office at 432-1234, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. until showtime on performance days.