Astronomy On Tap NYC and No.11 Productions Present OUR FRIEND ALBERT

Celebrate Pi Day and Einstein's 139th birthday with science, history, puppets, and beer! Astronomy on Tap NYC and No.11 Productions present an evening of speed talks by scientists and historians intermixed with scenes from No.11's bio-epic with puppets, Friends Call Me Albert. The evening will culminate with special Einstein-themed prizes donated by the The Unemployed Philosophers Guild!

Speakers include Dr. Kelly Reidy (rogue physicist), Dr. Matt Stanley (NYU Gallatin professor of the history of science), Dr. Saavik Ford (CUNY/American Museum of Natural History Astrophysicist), and Drew Rosen (CUNY Astronomy PhD student).

Playwright Zachary Desmond's Friends Call Me Albert introduces us to Albert, a 40-year-old father of two who just wants some spacetime to sit and think. And think. Mostly about light, but also about delicious food, first love, and the fate of humanity. When did Albert the man get lost in history to Einstein the icon? The show theatricalizes Albert Einstein's life and his theories on time and space, while exploring the influence of Mileva Mari, his first wife and fellow physicist.

"Grand puppetry, cool stage effects and marvelous performances" (TheaterScene). The scenes are directed by Ryan Emmons (Groundhog Day, Matilda, Ghost) and the cast features Steven Conroy (AMC's Turn) as Albert and Julie Congress as Mileva, with puppeteer Alison Novelli. Music by Enrico de Trizio (Dear Evan Hanson); Puppets by Jen Neads; Set and Lighting Design by Ryan Hauenstein.

NO.11 PRODUCTIONS, founded in 2008 and comprised of 11 multidisciplinary artists, exists to collaboratively create, develop, and tour new works and original adaptations as an ensemble. Our productions have the energy and imaginative zest of kids playing make-believe in the backyard and we invite the audience to play along. Past productions include: Quest for the West: Adventures on the Oregon Trail, Friends Call Me Albert, Coosje, The Eyes of Orbach, MythUnderstood, A Christmas Carol. www.no11productions.com

ASTRONOMY ON TAP was created in 2012 by Astronomer Meg Schwamb. The NYC site coordinator is Astronomy Educator Brian Levine. We bring astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts to the bar so YOU can learn stuff while getting drunk! Cause science is even better with beer. www.AstronomyOnTap.org

Our Friend Albert will be presented on March 14 at Littlefield in Brooklyn (635 Sackett St, Brooklyn, NY). Doors open at 7pm, event starts at 8pm. Tickets are $10 and available online: http://bit.ly/OurFriendAlbert.

Photo by Sean Meehan

Photo: Alison Novelli and Steven Conroy