Axis Company will present the World Premiere of TRINITY 5:29, a new drama about atomic bomb creator J. Robert Oppenheimer. Conceived by Axis Company, directed by Randy Sharp, and presented on an Off-Broadway contract, performances of this limited engagement begin April 2. Opening night is slated for April 9.
TRINITY 5:29 centers on J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb. When Trinity, the first atomic bomb, was tested at 5:29am on July 16, 1945, Oppenheimer whispered a quote from Hindu scripture, "I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." Less than a month later, two 20-megaton bombs were dropped on Japan, killing almost a quarter of a million people. Trapped in a desert of complicated regret, guilt and justification, New Jersey native Oppenheimer spent the rest of his life trying to decipher his actions. Using the form and structure of the medieval cycle plays, TRINITY 5:29 shows Oppenheimer's journey as he remembers his girlfriend Jean Tatlock, the supposed Communist who committed suicide the year before; the arrogant, yet vulnerable General Groves, overseer of The Manhattan Project; and President Harry Truman, who pushed the button that started the end of the world.
TRINITY 5:29 stars Edgar Oliver, Marc Palmieri, Britt Genelin, and Brian Barnhart. The production features lighting by David Zeffren, sound by Steve Fontaine, costumes by Elisa Santiago, set by Kyle Chepulis, and stage management by Edward Terhune.
Through the careful utilization of various media, Axis Company has produced an eclectic series of original and published plays with highly advanced, state of the art technological components that enhance the internal meaning of the material. Past productions include Edgar Oliver's critically acclaimed solo East 10th Street: Portrait with Empty House, Buchner's Woyzeck, Beckett's Play, Benjamin Baker's 1848 sensation A Glance at New York and the U.S. premiere of Sarah Kane's Crave, starring Deborah Harry, in addition to numerous original works.
TRINITY 5:29 runs April 2 - May 9, Thursday - Saturday at 8pm. Axis Theatre is located at One Sheridan Square (just off 7th Avenue, accessible from the 1/9 train at Sheridan Square). Running time: 60 minutes. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors/students, available at 212-352-3101 or www.AxisCompany.org.
