San Jose Rep Presents West Coast Premiere of Pachino's 'Infinity'

 San Jose Repertory Theatre continues its entertaining season with the West Coast Premiere of Splitting Infinity (Laurie Foundation Theatre Visionary Award), a new play by renowned playwright Jaime Pachino.  Associate Artistic Director Kirsten Brandt directs a talented cast in this smart and witty exploration of faith, science, love, and ambition.  Splitting Infinity runs October 11 – November 9, 2008 at San Jose Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio in downtown San Jose.  Preview performances are October 11, 12, 15, and 16.  Press Opening is Friday, October 17 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are available at the San Jose Rep Box Office at 101 Paseo de San Antonio or can be purchased online at www.SJRep.com or by calling (408) 367-7255.

“Several years ago, a noted physicist published a book purporting to prove the existence of God through physics,” comments Playwright Jaime Pachino.  “The writer in me could only wonder: What provoked this act? What was the reaction of his colleagues? Of the scientific community? Of the religious community? And in particular— of his loved ones? These questions, coupled with the wrestling I had been doing on my own over religion’s place in my world and in my own life (not to mention the national debates on the subject), led me to the fertile ground that would become Splitting Infinity.”

To Leigh Sangold (Amy Resnick), a Nobel prize-winning astrophysicist, the mysteries of the universe can be answered with an absolute scientific equation.  On the eve of her 49th birthday, she takes on the definitive scientific challenge: to use physics to prove whether God exists. Leigh’s quest threatens her closest relationships with Saul Lieberman (Robert Yacko), a tenderhearted Rabbi who’s been her confidant since childhood and her lover, Robbi March (Chad Deverman), a competitive post-doctoral student, who is the son of a Christian Scientist.  When Robbie is seriously injured in an accident, Leigh is confronted by Robbie’s mother, Mrs. March (Cindy Goldfield), the devout Christian Scientist.  Mrs. March and Leigh’s belief systems collide, leaving Leigh frustrated with the struggle between science and faith.

“I have always been interested in the intersection of religion and science and this play asks a lot of BIG questions about who we are and why we are here,” states Director Kirsten Brandt. “It makes us look at the choices we've made in our lives and wonder if things could be or should be different.   But at its core is a relationship between two people, their love for each other and their desire to shift the universe.”

Splitting Infinity takes place within the Ten Days of Atonement during the Jewish High Holy Days, the period beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur.  For Leigh, this period becomes her personal journey in search for identity and to understand the fundamental mysteries of the universe.  In her 49th year, she begins to question her decisions and momentarily ponders the meaning of her choices, for once uncertain of her devotion to science over faith. Splitting Infinity tests the boundaries of relationships and zealous ambition. It seeks to answer the questions we have about ourselves, each other, and the universe through the scientific and religious equation.  

“Framed by the Ten Days of Atonement (the 10 days between the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur),” Pachino continues, “I aimed to create a play where seeking was the action, where past sins had to be acknowledged, and answers might be as knotty and unmanageable as the people pursuing them.”

Jaime Pachino is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter with national and international credits. Her play, Splitting Infinity, was named the winner of the Laurie Foundation Theatre Visionary Award, and the STAGE competition for plays about science.  Other plays include Waving Goodbye (world premiere Steppenwolf Theatre, winner of the Kennedy Center Fund for New American Plays Award, and Chicago’s Jeff Award for Best New Work); The Return to Morality (winner of eight national awards, produced throughout the U.S.); Aurora’s Motives, Race and Theodora: An Unauthorized Biography.

Kirsten Brandt, San Jose Rep’s Associate Artistic Director, helms this production of Splitting Infinity. Brandt is in her second season at San Jose Rep where she has directed This Wonderful Life and Rabbit Hole. She has worked with prestigious theatres around the nation (The Old Globe, San Diego REP, La Jolla Playhouse, Sierra Rep and TheatreWorks) and is the recipient of numerous KPBS Awards, a BackStage West Garland Award and two San Diego Critics Circle Awards. She was the Artistic Director of San Diego’s avant-garde theatre company, Sledgehammer Theatre, from 1999-2005.

Splitting Infinity’s outstanding cast includes Christine Sage Behrens (Young Leigh Sangold); Kevin Dedes (Young Saul Lieberman); Chad Deverman (Robbie March); Cindy Goldfield (Mrs. March); Amy Resnick (Leigh Sangold) and Robert Yacko (Saul Lieberman)

The creative team includes Robin Sanford Roberts (Set Designer); Brandin Barón (Costume Designer); and Jaymi Lee Smith (Lighting Designer).  The stage manager is Joshua M. Rose.

Splitting Infinity is co-sponsored by Bijan Bakery & Café and supported, in part, by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San Jose.

About the Rep

San Jose Rep is the premier non-profit, professional theatre company in the South Bay, presenting six main stage productions each year. As a major contributor to South Bay’s cultural community for 28 years, the Rep’s mission is to engage, entertain and inspire people.  The Rep produces innovative theatrical performances that offer fresh perspectives into the human condition, educational programs that promote life-long learning, and outreach initiatives that benefit our diverse community.  For more information, visit www.SJRep.com

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