Theater J Announces Run of Award-Winning Show COPENHAGEN

Theater J will present the intellectually stunning Tony Award-winning drama Copenhagen this winter, directed by Eleanor Holdridge. Michael Frayn's Copenhagen investigates the historical 1941 meeting of German physicist Werner Heisenberg and his Danish counterpart Niels Bohr as they contemplate the creation of the atom bomb. It will run at Theater J from January 5-29, 2017.

In Copenhagen, old friends Heisenberg and Bohr find themselves embroiled in a race to create the atom bomb for opposing sides in WWII. The play explores their scientific and moral quandaries around creating nuclear weapons, imaging what might have compelled the two to meet and positing what their conversation might have been as they faced one of the most significant ethical challenges of the 20th century.

"Copenhagen is one of the great intellectual masterpieces of the modern theater, and a stunning meditation on ethics and global politics," said Adam Immerwahr, Theater J Artistic Director. "With a top-tier cast and the direction of the extraordinary Eleanor Holdridge, this promises to be a Copenhagen you won't want to miss!"

Copenhagen opened at London's National Theatre in 1998, and won Best Play at the Evening Standard Awards, Best Play at the London Critics' Circle Awards, and went onto Broadway to win a New York Drama Critics' Circle for Best Play and a Tony Award for Best Play in 2000.

Michael Frayn's plays include The Two of Us, Alphabetical Order, Donkeys' Years, Clouds, Balmoral (Liberty Hall), Make and Break, Noises Off (Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award-winning), Benefactors, Look Look and Here, Copenhagen(Tony Award for Best Play), Democracy, and Afterlife. Frayn has published ten novels: The Tin Men, The Russian Interpreter, Against Entropy, Towards the End of the Morning, A Very Private Life, Sweet Dreams, The Trick of It, A Landing on the Sun, Now You Know,Headlong, Spies and Skios, together with two philosophical works: Constructions and The Human Touch. Frayn's film credits include Clockwise (starring John Cleese), First and Last (1990 International Emmy Award) and Noises Off. Frayn was awarded the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 and received the South Bank Show Outstanding Achievement Award in 2012. He has also received a Lifetime Achievement Laurence Olivier Award.

Copenhagen will be directed by Eleanor Holdridge, who directed the Helen Hayes Award-winning Queens Girl in the World by Caleen Sinette Jennings last season at Theater J. Additional Theater J credits include The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, After the Revolution, Something You Did, and Body Awareness.

The cast of Copenhagen features Sherri Edelen (Freaky Friday and La Cage aux Folles at Signature Theatre and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at Arena Stage), Tim Getman (The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide...,Our Class, and The History of Invulnerability at Theater J), Michael Russotto (The Christians, The Sisters Rosensweig and Falling Out of Time at Theater J)

Tickets are available starting at $37 at theaterj.org or (202) 777-3210.

About Theater J

Theater J is a nationally-renowned, professional theater that celebrates, explores and struggles with the complexities and nuances of both the Jewish experience and the universal human condition. Our work illuminates and examines: ethical questions of our time, inter-cultural experiences that parallel our own, and the changing landscape of Jewish identities. As the nation's largest and most prominent Jewish theater, we aim to preserve and expand a rich Jewish theatrical tradition and to create community and commonality through theater-going experiences.

The Edlavitch DCJCC embraces inclusion in all its programs and activities. We welcome and encourage the participation of all people, regardless of their background, sexual orientation, abilities, or religion, including interfaith couples and families.