Marjorie Prime

by Jordan Harrison

April 5-22, 2018

Wisconsin Premiere

Directed by Jennifer Uphoff Gray

THE STORY

It’s the age of artificial intelligence, and 85-year-old Marjorie — a jumble of disparate, fading memories — has a handsome new companion who’s programmed to feed the story of her life back to her. What would we remember, and what would we forget, if given the chance? In this richly spare, wondrous new play, Jordan Harrison explores the mysteries of human identity and the limits — if any — of what technology can replace.

THE CAST

Michael Huftile, Judy Kimball, Brian Mani, Karen Moeller

PRODUCTION TEAM

Scenic Designer: Chris Dunham
Lighting Designer: Greg Hofmann
Costume Designer: Scott Rott
Composer: Joe Cerqua
Sound Designer: Jim Uphoff
Props Designer: Pam Miles
Associate Director: Jake Penner
Stage Manager: Laura Karavitis
Technical Director: Kevin Zimmer

Sponsored by: Promega, WPS Health Solutions, Sybil & Maurice Better, Boardman & Clark LLP, Johnson Bank, Isthmus, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP

VIDEO

Interview with director Jen Uphoff Gray and the cast of Marjorie Prime

OUTREACH

Visit Overture Center during the run of Marjorie Prime for beautiful and informative images captured by UW faculty, staff and students in the course of their research. Sponsored by Fitchburg-based Promega Corp., with additional support from DoIT Digital Publishing and Printing Services and the UW–Madison Arts Institute, the Cool Science Images Contest features science-themed pictures created using powerful and exotic equipment — such as microscopes that can see inside living cells and satellites observing Earth from 20,000 miles away — and homemade tools as simple as a pinhole camera.

REVIEWS

Forward Theater's uncanny 'Marjorie Prime' blurs the lines between mom and machine
- Lindsay Christians, The Cap Times

QUICK READS AND PREVIEWS

Forward Theater explores humanity with 'Marjorie Prime'
Amanda Finn, Wisconsin State Journal

The Future of the Past in Jordan Harrison's 'Marjorie Prime'
Madeleine George, American Theatre Magazine

On the Psychological Value of "Griefbots"
Clive Thompson, BoingBoing.net

Robotic Seals Comfort Dementia Patients But Raise Ethical Concerns
Angela Johnston, KALW