Rebel Genius, a new musical from Peabody Award-winning songwriter and film composer Matthew Puckett, and based on the life of the young and highly ambitious Albert Einstein, will have its world premiere at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television’s (UCLA TFT) Little Theater on Friday, March 8, 2019. Rebel Genius crashes physics and love into one another as Albert falls madly in love with Mileva Maric and then risks everything he has to find a perfect Unified Theory of the Universe. Puckett has written the book, music and lyrics; directed by Ovation Award winner Brian Kite; choreographed by Ovation Award winner Dana Solimando. Dan Belzer and Jeremy Mann lead the musical direction.

With the production of Rebel Genius, Kite, who is also a professor and the Department of Theater Chair at UCLA TFT, is seeking to establish the school as the preeminent venue for new play development on the West Coast.

“With these incredible acting students and designers, we can play a larger part in the greater ecosystem of new play development in the U.S.,” he says.

The Rebel Genius cast features UCLA TFT students Michael Wells, Sara James, Olly Sholotan, Jeilani Rhone-Collins, James Olivas, Molly Livingston, Tom Hoffmann, Brendan Knox, Kelsey Kato, Carson Robinette, Caroline Pernick, Ariana Perlson, Fernando Carsa, Elana Cantor, Justin Baker, Marlena Becker, Michael Riskin, Nicolette Norgaard, Haleyann Hart, Katie Powers-Faulk, Sophie Shapiro and Walker Brinskele.

Designed by UCLA TFT M.F.A. students Hakan Yoruk, Marisa Melideo, Jeff Behm and Ryan Marsh.

Performances will take place March 8-9 and 12-15 at 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, March 16 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $40, with discounts available for UCLA faculty and staff. Visit www.tft.ucla.edu/theaterseason or Ticketmaster for more information.

Posted: February 26, 2019

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