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Secrets of the Universe and Other Songs

Award-winning playwright and librettist, Marc Acito, is best known for his novel, “How I Paid for College,” and his collaboration with George Takei on the Broadway musical Allegiance. In Aurora, Colorado, Acito’s latest piece, "Secrets of the Universe and Other Songs," will have its world premiere at the Aurora Fox Arts Center.

Mary Louise Lee
In 1937, internationally acclaimed classical singer, Marian Anderson, performed a concert at Princeton University’s McCarter Theatre. But because she was African-American and racism ruled the day, Anderson was denied a hotel room. Instead, she accepted an invitation to stay at a Princeton professor’s home. That professor was Albert Einstein. And that invitation serves as the jumping off point for this breathtaking new play, featuring gorgeous music from Anderson's songbook.

"Secrets of the Universe and Other Songs" explores the connection between science and religion; physics and music; and those rare, unlikely friendships that are very often also the best friendships this universe can offer.

Mary Louise Lee and Jordan Leigh star as Marian Anderson and Albert Einstein, respectively. Joining Lee and Leigh onstage are Mark Rubald as Anderson’s accompanist, Kosti Vehanen, and former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt; Sharon Kay White as Einstein’s maid, Helen Dukas, and former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt; and the multi-talented Andrew Fischer pulling double duty as the show’s music director and fifth actor.

Jordan Leigh
The Fox’s Executive Producer, Helen R. Murray, directed the world premiere of Acito’s non-musical version of this show and teams up with him, again, to direct the premiere of this latest, version - a breathtaking play with music featuring some of Colorado’s most beloved performers.

Playwright Marc Acito will be at opening night of the world premiere. The play runs from Feb. 21 through March 15. For tickets, visit Aurora Fox Theatre online, or call our box office at 303.739.1970.

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