Einstein is a Dummy
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Book & Lyrics by Karen Zacarías
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Published by Dramatic Publishing in Large Cast and Small Cast versions.

Upcoming Productions

Synopsis

As an adult, Albert Einstein changed our view of the universe. But as a boy, he struggled with the same issues any twelve year-old might – keeping up with violin lessons, impressing the girl next-door and – oh yeah, comprehending the fundamental relationship of space and time to the speed of light, of course. This uplifting play about a fictional day in young Einstein’s life confirms that each of us is both ordinary and special. With an engaging, original score, a healthy dose of imagination, and the help of a mysterious cat, Einstein is a Dummy reveals life’s atomic possibilities.

Young Einstein’s geeky streak is reason to rock…’Einstein’ abounds with the energy of its subject matter…The verdict: Sheer energy, musicalized.” – Susan Elliott, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

History

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Naya Allen, Luke Hardy and Leah Bozajian at the Norris Center for the Performing Arts. Photo Credit: Karin Cooper

Einstein is a Dummy was first seen at the Kennedy Center’s 2004 New Visions/New Voices Festival, and went on to premiere at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre in 2005 under the direction of Rosemary Newcott.  Since then it has enjoyed productions at theaters throughout the country, including Chicago Playworks, UNC Charlotte, Oregon Children’s Theatre, and Nashville Children’s Theatre.  In 2011 a revised and expanded 90 minute youth cast version was premiered  at the Norris Center for the Performing Arts under the direction of Corey Jones.  It is one of the featured plays in the book “New Visions/New Voices: 25 years/25 plays”.

Einstein is a Dummy is published by Dramatic Publishing in Large Cast and Small Cast versions.

I loved the production and was very impressed by how well it captured both the coming of age of a ‘different’ teenager AND the unique scientific insights that led to Einstein’s remarkable year of publications…It was the most creative approach to communicating physics that I’ve ever seen.” – Matthew S. Grober, Associate Professor of Biology, Georgia State University

Musical Numbers

1. PLANETARY OPENING - Albert, Ensemble

2. WHICH WAY IS UP - Albert, the Cat, Ensemble

3. ELSA'S WALTZ - Albert, Elsa

4. BROWNIAN MOTION LIMBO - All
4. BROWNIAN MOTION LIMBO - All

5. BORING BALLAD IN C MAJOR - All
5. BORING BALLAD IN C MAJOR - All

6. RAY OF LIGHT - Albert

7. E=MC2 - Albert, Constantine, Elsa, Cat
7. E=MC2 - Albert, Constantine, Elsa, Cat

8. BORING BALLAD REPRISE - Constantine, Elsa, Herr

9. CATCH THE LIGHT (FINALE) - Albert, the Cat, Ensemble

Additional songs available in the Large Cast Version:

DON'T MESS UP - Mama, Maja, Chorus
DON'T MESS UP - Mama, Maja, Chorus

THE TWIN PARADOX POLKA - Albert, Greta, Helga and Chorus
THE TWIN PARADOX POLKA - Albert, Greta, Helga and Chorus

 

Listen to the youth cast album on Apple Music or Spotify.

Oregon Children’s Theatre. Photo Credit: Owen Carey

Production Elements

Kylie Brown and Derek Manson, Alliance Theatre. Photo Credit: David De Vries
Kylie Brown and Derek Manson, Alliance Theatre. Photo Credit: David De Vries

Cast: 1 woman, 3 men, 1 either gender
(Youth Cast version expandable up to 5 women, 3 men, 4 either gender and optional Chorus)

Female
ELSA – A beautiful sweet viola player. A perfect bow on her head (Mezzo)

Male
ALBERT – A clumsy and curious kid. A violin player. A small bowtie. (Bari-Tenor)
CONSTANTIN – a snotty cello player. An enormous bowtie. (Tenor)
HERR SCHLOPPNOPPDINKERDONN – a very neurotic and uptight music teacher (Baritone)

Either Gender
THE CAT – a scrawny stray tom-cat.

Music: Pop/Rock/Pastiche score.  Accompaniment tracks available.
Musical Difficulty: Moderate
Technical Requirements: Minimal
Suggested Audience: Middle School/Families

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Nashville Children’s Theatre

Loaded with laughs and packed with lively melodies, Einstein Is A Dummy will also raise your I.Q. by about 50 points” – Performing Arts Live.com

Authors

DEBORAH WICKS LA PUMA (music) – see her bio page

Purchase

Listen to the youth cast album on Spotify.
Buy the youth cast album from Bandcamp.

Buy the script from Dramatic Publishing.

Matt Severyn, Tyler Fromson, Tara Bopp and Andrea Arvanigian at Sierra Madre Playhouse. Photo Credit: John Dlugolecki
Matt Severyn, Tyler Fromson, Tara Bopp and Andrea Arvanigian at Sierra Madre Playhouse. Photo Credit: John Dlugolecki

Vocal Work Out! CD

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