Theater News

Edward Gero Stars as Justice Scalia in the World Premiere of The Originalist

Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage will premiere John Strand’s political play.

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

Helen Hayes Award-winning D.C. actor Edward Gero will star as polarizing Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in the world premiere production of John Strand's The Originalist at Arena Stage.

Artistic Director Molly Smith helms the production, which is set to run from March 6-April 26 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle. The play 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.

"[Scalia] has intrigued me for a long time because he's kind of a lightning rod," said Strand. "Half the country thinks of him as a monster and half thinks of him as a hero. I love to explore why that is. And how can you resist a character who's a brilliant jurist and also a showman at heart?"

Additional casting will be announced in the coming weeks.

For tickets and more information, click here.

Featured In This Story

The Originalist

Closed: April 26, 2015