A musical about particle physics is currently in the works, led by David Henry Hwang, the renowned playwright known for “M. Butterfly.” The inspiration behind this unique project comes from the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland, which was featured in the 2014 film “Particle Fever.” This groundbreaking musical aims to shed light on the complex world of particle physics through captivating storytelling and music.
Recently, a private reading of the musical took place in a basement room in Midtown Manhattan. A group of talented musicians and actors gathered to bring to life the story of the search for the Higgs boson, a fundamental particle believed to hold the key to understanding the universe’s evolution. Despite initial skepticism about the concept of a Broadway musical centered around particle physics, David Henry Hwang was intrigued by the idea and decided to embark on this creative journey.
The musical, with music and lyrics by Bear McCreary and Zoe Sarnak, is a collaborative effort to showcase one of the most significant scientific discoveries of our time – the detection of the Higgs boson in 2012. Drawing inspiration from the documentary film “Particle Fever,” directed by David Kaplan and Mark Levinson, the musical aims to capture the essence of the scientific breakthrough and the individuals involved in this historic achievement.
Producers Megan Kingery and Annie Roney have been dedicated to bringing this unconventional concept to the Broadway stage for over a decade. The recent private reading marks a significant milestone in the development of the musical, signaling progress towards its eventual debut. Despite the long road ahead, both producers are optimistic about the project’s potential and are committed to seeing it through to fruition.
As the creative team continues to refine the musical and fine-tune its storytelling, the anticipation for this one-of-a-kind production continues to grow. The fusion of science, art, and music promises to offer audiences a unique and enlightening experience that transcends traditional theatrical boundaries. Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking musical that aims to unravel the mysteries of the universe through the magic of Broadway.