Corporate espionage, patents-pending and a testament of love take the stage this fall when the award-winning Poplar Pike Playhouse presents the Memphis-area premier of The Farnsworth Invention. This highly theatrical play opens November 19 and runs through December 11. Fresh off its Broadway run, this captivating tale is penned by Aaron Sorkin, Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning writer of The West Wing, A Few Good Men and the new hit film The Social Network.
The Farnsworth Invention chronicles the dramatic race to invent television. It’s the ultimate battle of the classes as Philo T. Farnsworth, a self-made farm boy from Idaho, tries to outwit the most powerful media mogul the world has ever known, David Sarnoff. Along with a hefty profit, the winner will be credited with the greatest invention of the 20th century. Playhouse audiences will be on the edge of their seat as the quest to prove who actually made it first to the finish line unfolds.
Winner of numerous theatrical awards, The Farnsworth Invention closed on Broadway just two years ago. This Poplar Pike Playhouse production is directed by Patrick Lee Ashcraft and Kirie Walz. The scenic designer is Lee Williams. The costume designers are Ashley Burns and Samantha Sherry. Contributing to both costume and scenic design is Teresa Phipps. Casey Craig and Frank Williams are the technical directors, Courtney Smith is the properties coordinator, and Bobby Ramsay is the lighting designer. The house coordinator is Allison Rogers and the business manager is Catherine Cohen. E. Frank Bluestein is the producing director.
The cast of The Farnsworth Invention includes Justin Ayers, Andrew Baldock, Wade Bonds, Joe Carter, Melanie Culhane, Aussie Diallo, King Dupart, Avery Franklin, Ashley Grubb, Paul Hoover, Drew Murley, Court Nixon, Richard Player, Hunter Reid, Anna Sharp, Matt Sloan, Anna Smith, Cooper Terle, Remy Terle, Ean Travis, Justin Waldrip, Emily Wolfe, Zoe Zelonky and Marinela Zubovic. The Farnsworth Invention opens at the Poplar Pike Playhouse November 19 and runs through December 11. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Tickets are on sale now. Reservations can be made online at www.ppp.org or by calling the Poplar Pike Playhouse Box Office at (901) 755-7775 between 7:15 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Blocks of tickets are available at reduced rates for school groups and theatre parties.
The Poplar Pike Arts Guild, the support group for the Playhouse, will sponsor an opening night benefit on November 19. Ticket prices for this special performance and reception are $20 and may be purchased by calling the Poplar Pike Playhouse Box Office at (901) 755-7775.
The Poplar Pike Playhouse also is officially on Facebook and Twitter. Become a fan of the Playhouse and its shows on each site for up-to-date information throughout the year.
The Poplar Pike Playhouse is the theatre complex located on the campus of Germantown High School. The corporate sponsor for this production is Germantown Association, Inc.; Board of Directors members are Paul Cardelli, Bobby Lanier, Thane Smith and George Walters.
