Copenhagen, a Tony Award winner for Best Play, explores an explosive confrontation between science and politics. Inspired by actual events that have intrigued and baffled historians for more than 50 years, Copenhagen revolves around a 1941 meeting between two brilliant physicists, Niels Bohr of Denmark and Germany’s Werner Heisenberg. The two men were long-time friends whose work together opened the way to the atomic bomb, but who were now on opposite sides of World War II. This pivotal meeting was a defining moment of the nuclear age, yet its true nature remains a mystery. Why did Heisenberg go to Copenhagen? What was he hoping to accomplish?

The search for an unknowable truth forms the core of Copenhagen. In our current political landscape, where “alternative facts” are often presented as evidence, Copenhagen is a refreshing reminder of the value of seeking the truth.

Copenhagen’s mysteries are unraveled by three of Austin’s finest actors. Ev Lunning, Jr. stars as Niels Bohr, Babs George as his wife Margarethe, and David Stahl as Werner Heisenberg. Copenhagen will be directed by Don Toner.

Austin Playhouse

Austin Playhouse is a professional theatre in its 19th season. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Don Toner and Artistic Director Lara Toner Haddock, Austin Playhouse has grown from a three-play season on the campus of Concordia University, to a year-round operation producing an average of six mainstage plays a year along with two theatre for youth productions and a new play festival. Austin Playhouse is currently performing at the Austin Community College Highland campus.

Austin Playhouse’s 2018-2019 Season

Austin Playhouse’s 2019 – 2019 season opened with Austin playwright Lisa B. Thompson’s Monroe, September 7 – September 30, 2017, followed by Rupert Holmes’ The Mystery of Edwin Drood, a hilarious, interactive whodunit mystery musical, November 16 – December 16, 2018. In the spring, Austin Playhouse will present Michael Frayn’s Copenhagen that discuss the intricacies of physics, and ponder the metaphysical— the very essence of human motivation, April 5th-May 5th, 2018. The season will conclude with The Book of Will by Lauren Gunderson, a new story about the community who saved Shakespeare’s work from the dustbin of history, May 31st-June 30th, 2018 In addition, Austin Playhouse will treat Austin families to a free Theatre for Youth production of local playwright Katherine Catmull’s adaptation of her own YA novel, Summer & Bird April 22nd-May 3rd.