Theater News

Complete Casting Announced for Arena Stage's The Originalist

John Strand’s world-premiere play offers a theatrical account of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Edward Gero as Justice Scalia in The Originalist at Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage.
Edward Gero as Justice Scalia in The Originalist at Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage.
(© Tony Powell)

Complete casting has been announced for Arena Stage's world-premiere political drama, The Originalist, written by Charles MacArthur Award winner John Strand and starring Helen Hayes Award-winning D.C. actor Edward Gero as Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. The production will run from March 6-April 26.

Directed by Arena Artistic Director Molly Smith, The Originalist follows a bright, liberal, Harvard Law School graduate who embarks on a nerve-racking clerkship with Justice Scalia. She soon discovers him to be both an infuriating sparring partner and an unexpected mentor as their relationship impacts one of the most incendiary cases ever to reach the nation's highest court. Strand's story explores how passionate people risk heart and soul to defend their version of the truth.

Joining Gero in the cast are Kerry Warren (who currently understudies in Broadway's The River) as Cat, the young clerk who becomes a sparring partner for Justice Scalia, and Harlan Work (Charm) as Brad, an eager Scalia devotee and Cat’s opposite in every way.

"There are few other places in the country where this play could have such impact," says Smith. "Washington is home to all national politics, and no more so than the debates that happen in the Supreme Court. This is a meaty play—it does not tackle its subject matter lightly. Happily though, John Strand and his subjects have a gift for humor, so prepare to be both challenged and entertained by this piece of historical fiction."

For tickets and more information, click here.

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The Originalist

Closed: April 26, 2015