Einstein!
Celebrating 100 Years of General Relativity
Acclaimed Solo Show
Written and performed by Jack Fry
Directed by Tom Blomquist
One hundred years ago on September 21, 1922, an expedition from the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton, California, led by Lick director William Wallace Campbell, conclusively proved Einstein’s general theory of relativity at a total eclipse of the sun in remote Wallal, Australia – confirming a new formulation of space, time, and gravitation that changed the course of science and ushered in our modern technological age. Einstein! underscores the importance of Lick Observatory’s role in verifying general relativity.
To celebrate this event a special, fully staged production of Jack Fry’s play Einstein! will be performed in the historic 36″ Lick Refractor dome on September 9, 10, and 11. This intimate and historic setting will create a unique experience of this acclaimed play. Following each performance, audiences will be given access to the Lick telescope and displays featuring historic artifacts from the famous solar eclipse expedition.
Einstein! tells the true, inspirational story of a young, ambitious Albert Einstein in 1914 Berlin, a city politically torn apart by the Great War. His life is sent sideways while trying to prove general relativity against all odds. The science establishment doesn’t believe his ‘crazy’ theories, (and the few that do are trying to take them away from him), he becomes isolated for his pacifist views, he has a wife who won’t give him a divorce, his health is failing, and he must deal with anti-Semitism, thoughts of suicide, his own self-destructive genius, and a young son fighting for his father’s affections. Meanwhile, he comes up with a theory that changes the way we live our lives today. It’s the true story of what made his hair ‘crazy,’ and it climaxes with the Campbell eclipse.
Performances on September 9, 10, and 11, 2022
Event Program:
- 6:00pm Doors Open
- 7:00pm Einstein!
- 8:30pm Q&A with Jack Fry and Lick Astronomer/Archivist Anthony Misch or Elinor Gates
- 9:00pm Viewing through the 40″ Nickel Reflector and 36″ Lick Refractor Telescopes (weather permitting)
- 11:00pm Event Ends
Detailed on-line Event Program
Ticket Information
General Admission Tickets: $140 each
Tickets will be available to the general public on July 20th, 2022 at ucsctickets.com at Noon. There is a limit of 4 tickets per customer.
Event activities include:
☆ Einstein! Play
☆ Q&A with playwright/performer Jack Fry and Lick Observatory Astronomy & History Experts
☆ 1922 Solar Eclipse Expedition Exhibit
☆ Viewing through the historic 36-inch Great Lick Refractor telescope
☆ Viewing through the 40-inch Nickel Reflector telescope
- Visitors must wear a face mask while indoors at Lick Observatory, regardless of vaccination status. (Please note that presenters will be unmasked during their presentations.)
- It is recommended that all attendees fill out our UC Santa Cruz COVID Daily Symptom Check online before arrival at the observatory. Ticket purchasers will receive more information regarding this COVID-19 requirement in a separate communication prior to the event.
- By purchasing a ticket, you agree to abide by the COVID safety policies in place at the time of the event. Information on current COVID safety policies will be emailed to ticket purchasers prior to the event.
Important Ticket Information
Doors open 60 minutes before the play begins.
Due to the historic construction of the telescope domes and safety concerns, the 36-inch Great Refractor Telescope and the 40-inch Nickel Telescope are not wheelchair accessible at this time. Those who have difficulty navigating stairs may also find the telescopes inaccessible. Funds are being raised to repair the elevating floor of the Lick 36-inch telescope to re-enable handicap access. Please contact Natasha Pedroza at nbpedroza@ucolick.org if you would like more information about supporting these or any other fundraising efforts.
All events take place at the Main Building visitor center. Directions and parking
