[NEohioPAL] Magnificent Einstein Portrayal at Actors' Summit

[Stephen via NEohioPAL]

By David Ritchey
















DOWNTOWN AKRON — 

 

Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was one of the most influential people to move to the United States as the rumblings that became World War II began to cause 
upheavals in Germany.  



 

A world-renowned physicist, Einstein received the Nobel Prize in 1921. After 
he escaped from Germany, Hitler and the Nazis, he moved to the United States and 
taught at Princeton University. His research and a letter to President Franklin 
Roosevelt resulted in the creation of the atom bomb.

 

“Einstein,” a play about his life, is playing at Actors’ Summit Theater 
through Feb. 1. Any success of this production must start with credit to 
playwright Willard Simms. Simms has a reputation for writing one-person shows, 
which include: “Poe!” (Edgar Allen Poe), “Wright from America” (the Wright 
brothers) and plays about Leonardo da Vinci and St. Francis of Assisi. He also 
wrote eight episodes for the TV series “Family.”

 

After the opening night performance, several audience members groused because 
the Einstein character didn’t explain enough about physics or didn’t tell enough 
about certain parts of his life. As the script stands now, the performance runs 
about 90 minutes and explained more than the uninformed (like me) could grasp. 
Could audiences really sit through a longer, more detailed show? 

 

This is a one-man show and Brian Zoldessy, as Einstein, held the audience in 
the palm of his hand for the full performance. He was magnificent. I’ve seen 
Zoldessy, an accomplished actor, in other productions. In “Einstein,” the 
playwright gave him a tour de force role. The theater doesn’t get much 
better.

 

Yes, Simms rushes over Einstein’s private life and barely mentions his two 
wives and his son. He focuses on Einstein’s career and his contributions to 
American culture.

 

The setting for “Einstein” is an office/sitting room. The set is strewn with 
bookcases filled with books. Behind Einstein’s desk is a blackboard covered with 
formulas. Einstein has invited us (the audience) to join him for a discussion. 
Einstein wants to explain why he isn’t a Communist and why he should not be 
called the father of the atomic bomb. Of course, he touches on other topics.

 

Zoldessy in makeup and hair looks much like the popular photographs of 
Einstein. Yet, when Zoldessy speaks, he embodies the character.

 

Director Neil Thackaberry and Zoldessy, Simms and Einstein bring us a 
wonderful evening in the theater.

Don’t let the subject of this play or the one-person format cause you to miss 
a wonderful evening in the theater.

Personally, I don’t like the one-person format. However, Einstein and 
Zoldessy held my attention and my interest from the first line to curtain 
call.

 

Unfortunately, “Einstein” has a short run. On opening night, the theater was 
almost filled to capacity. For ticket information, call 330-374-7568.

 

David Ritchey has a Ph.D. in communications and is a professor of 
communications at The University of Akron. He is a member of the American 
Theatre Critics Association and the Cleveland Critics 
Circle.
 		 	   		  
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