<div dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(255,153,0)"><br></span><br><br><p><b>Fine script and acting bring PHOTOGRAPH 51 into focus at Actors Summit<br></b><br>Roy Berko<br>Member, American Theatre Critics Association, Cleveland Critics Circle<br>
<br>PHOTOGRAPH
51 is a bio-drama based on the life of Rosalind Franklin, a British
biophysicist and crystallographer. Many think she should have been a
Noble prize-recipient, but her standoffish personality, perfectionism,
and some seemingly unethical actions by others, as well as the
possibility of gender discrimination against her, got in the way.<br><br>Franklin,
who was born into an affluent and influential British Jewish family,
was responsible for making critical contributions to the understanding
of the double helix, thus defining the molecular structures of DNA, RNA
and viruses. Her brilliant career was brought to a close when she died
at age 37 of ovarian cancer. <br><br>Anna Zieglers script was not
developed in a traditional manner. The play, which was presented at the
2011 World Science Festival in New York, was originally developed by
The Ensemble Studio Theatre under the sponsorship of the Alfred P. Sloan
Foundation Science and Technology Project. Yes, a play developed with
the aid of an organization which is noted for sponsoring scientific
achievement, not the arts.</p><p><br>Franklins tale is complex and
shows a smart woman, operating in a field dominated by men. It
highlights the 1953 era when Franklin and several male scientists are on
the verge of discovering what they called, the secret of lifethe DNA
double helix. </p><p><br>We observe Franklin both trying and avoiding
forming any type of relationship, professional or personal. We watch
her struggle with her being concise, impatient, and directly
confrontational, which irritates and unnerves her male co-workers. </p><p><br>We
observe her being ahead of the pack in discovery, but not writing the
needed journal articles or the building of models, which eventually
leads to her ideas being usurped and published by Francis Crick, James
Watson and Maurice Wilkins. This resulted in the trio winning the 1962
Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine. </p><p><br>Supposedly, Franklin
was omitted from Nobel recognition because she had died, and the
deceased are not allowed to receive the award. In reality, she had
been eliminated from consideration when the trio stole her work,
tweaked the findings, and published it without noting her contributions.</p><p><br>The
Actors Summit production is exceptionally well done. The
one-hundred-ten minute play, under the focused direction of Neil
Thackaberry, moves swiftly. The script is strong and, in spite the fact
that this is a talk rather than an action play, the production grabs
and holds attention. The acting is generally of a high level.</p><p><br>Sally
Groth inhabits the role of Rosalind. We are caught up in her inner
anguish, her obsessive personality, her struggle to move beyond her lack
of social graces. This is a woman on a mission, but makes some
tactical decisions that deny her deserved fame.</p><p><br>Keith Stevens
creates in Maurice Wilkins, Rosalinds supposed research partner, a
clear person who has a love/hate relationship with her. Kenneth Leep is
outstanding as Don Casper, the American who admires Rosalinds work and
has romantic feelings toward her, which she rejects. Zach Griffin is
wonderful as Ray Gosling, Rosalinds put-upon assistant, who provides
some comic relief. </p><p><br><i>Capsule judgement: PHOTOGRAPH 51 is a
well written script which gets a very strong production. The play is a
must see for anyone who wants to be exposed to what, for most, will be a
venture into the complex world of science that is presented in a
meaningful way, by a cast that makes the lesson fascinating.</i></p>For tickets to PHOTOGRAPH 51, which runs through February 2, call 330-374-7568 or go to <a href="http://www.actorssummit.org">www.actorssummit.org</a><br>
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