Speilberg to Co-Produce Sorkin's 'Invention' on Bway?

A possible Broadway transfer of Aaron Sorkin's The Farnsworth Invention might have Steven Speilberg on its producing team, according to Variety.

Sorkin is well-known for TV hits such as "The West Wing" and "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," as well as his play A Few Good Men.  Speilberg, whose many successes as a director and/or producer include Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park and Schindler's List, is interested in teaming with Dodger Theatricals (Jersey Boys) and Fred Zollo, and possibly putting up half the capitalization for a Broadway production.

The Farnsworth Invention is currently running through March 25th at San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse as part of its Page To Stage Workshop Production series.  "The play centers on the bitter conflict that pitted Philo T. Farnsworth, a boy genius who invented television as a high school student in 1927, against David Sarnoff, the head of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA). The legal battle between Farnsworth and RCA would later become known as one of the great, tragic examples of legal and industrial force combining to crush a rightful patent owner," state La Jolla notes.  Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys, Tommy) directs.

However, a transfer is not yet confirmed.  "At this time, there are no plans to produce The Farnsworth Invention on Broadway.  Mr. Spielberg has no connection with the La Jolla production of the play. Should Dodger Properties decide to produce the play on Broadway at some time in the future, Mr. Spielberg would be involved as a limited partner," said Michael David, head of Dodger Theatricals.

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Photo - Steven Speilberg