Arena Stage Extends Political Drama THE ORIGINALIST Through 5/3

John Strand's new political drama The Originalist, based on Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, will receive eight additional performances during its world-premiere run at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. The play, which stars four-time Helen Hayes Award winner and acclaimed D.C. actor Edward Gero as the Justice and is under the direction of Artistic Director Molly Smith, now runs through May 3, 2015.

Joining Gero, who returns to Arena Stage following his portrayal of legendary artist Mark Rothko in Red in 2012, are Kerry Warren (Broadway's The River) as Cat, the young clerk who becomes a sparring partner for Justice Scalia, and Harlan Work (Taffety Punk's Charm) as Brad, an eager Scalia devotee and Cat's opposite in every way.

Tickets may be purchased online at arenastage.org, by phone at 202-488-3300 or at the Sales Office at 1101 Sixth St., SW, D.C.

On the news of the extension Smith shares, "We are seeing our fiercely intelligent city embrace and seek out politics onstage, and I couldn't be happier that John's daring play, featuring this incredible cast led by Edward Gero, will have the ability to be seen by more Washingtonians and continue to be part of the discourse on Capitol Hill."

About The Originalist: Edward Gero returns to Arena Stage as one of America's most brilliant and polarizing figures: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. When a bright, liberal, Harvard Law School graduate embarks on a nerve-wracking clerkship with Justice Scalia, she discovers him to be both an infuriating sparring partner and an unexpected mentor. How will their relationship affect one of the most incendiary cases ever to reach the nation's highest court? From Charles MacArthur Award winner John Strand (Lovers and Executioners) comes this daring new work about passionate people risking heart and soul to defend their version of the truth. This production is performed in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle in an exciting new three-quarter thrust configuration.

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