By Donna Herman
It’s a biological imperative that parents love their children. Which is why, when a toddler asks a series of unending questions, a parent will roll their eyes, tear out their hair, smile, and answer the question as best they can. When an “arrogantly rude” dirty, unkempt, unemployed adult goes around and does the same thing, other adults tend to get testy. The world premiere of Tim Blake Nelson’s Socrates explores how and why the father of ethical philosophy, in ancient Athens, the cradle of civilization where democracy was first practiced, was sentenced to death for doing the same. For my full review of Socrates, now playing at The Public Theater, go here.
Socrates by Tim Blake Nelson, Directed by Doug Hughes
WITH: David Aaron Baker (Anytus/Eryximachus/Guard); Ro Boddie (Ensemble); Teagle F. Bougere (Plato); Niall Cunningham (A Boy); Peter Jay Fernandez (Thrasymachus/Lycon/Polus); Karl Green (Lamprocles/Aenesidemos); Miriam A. Hyman (Xanthippe); Robert Joy (Crito/Chaerephon/Meletus the Elder); Alan Mendez (Andromachus/Aetios); Tom Nelis (Proxenus/Gorgias/Aristophanes); Dave Quay (Diokles/Meletus); Daniel Reece (Ensemble); Austin Smith (Alcibiades/Simmias); Michael Stuhlbarg (Socrates); Joe Tapper (Agathon/Meno); Lee Wilkof (Megasthenes/The Archon).
Scenic Design by Scott Pask; Costume Design by Catherine Zuber; Lighting Design by Tyler Micoleau; Sound Design & Original Music by Mark Bennett; Wig Design by Tom Watson; Fight Director, J. David Brimmer; Production Stage Manager, Theresa Flanagan; Stage Manager, Jared Oberholtzer. Presented by The Public Theater, Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Patrick Willingham, Executive Director. Performances through May 19, 2019. Running time: 2 hours and 45 minutes including one intermission. For tickets: call (212) 967-7555, visit www.publictheater.org, or in person at the Taub
Box Office at The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street, NYC.
