Switching Off The Set: Sorkin TV Drama The Farnsworth Invention Closes

The newest Aaron Sorkin drama, The Farnsworth Invention, ends its Broadway run at the Music Box Theatre on March 2nd.

The show, directed by Des McAnuff, follows the battle for the patent for the invention of the television set. The race pitted Philo T. Farnsworth, a young genius who came up with the idea as a high school student, against David Sarnoff, the head of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA).

The production stars Jimmi Simpson as Farnsworth and Hank Azaria as Sarnoff. (Watch an original interview with Simpson right here on MyBroadway.com.) Using direct address monologues and flashbacks, the two men narrate the retelling of each other's stories as the drama unfolds. The cast also features Michael Mulheren, William Youmans, and Steve Rosen

When it closes, Farnsworth will have played 34 previews and 104 regular performances. It began previews on October 15, 2007, with an opening night on December 3rd. An opening was originally scheduled for November 14th, but was delayed due to the stagehands strike in November 2007.

Producer Michael David revealed in a statement regarding the closing that new productions of the Aaron Sorkin piece are in the works for London and the United States.

The Farnsworth Invention's ensemble included Nadia Bowers, Kyle Fabel, Maurice Godin, Bruce McKenzie, Spencer Moses, Jim Ortlieb, Michael Pemberton, Katharine Powell, James Sutorius, Alexandra Wilson, Adam Grupper, Christian McCarthy Johansen, Aaron Krohn, Kate MacCluggage, Malcolm Morano, Javier Picayo, and Margot White.

The design team included Klara Zieglerova (scenic), David C. Woolard (costume), Howell Binkley (lighting), Walter Trarbach (sound design) and Mark Adam Rampmeyer (hair and wig). Composer Andrew Lippa provides original music for the production. Lisa Shriver handles movement and protocol. Steve Rankin serves as fight director. Stephen Gabis is the dialect coach.

Information on the show can be found by visiting www.farnsworthonbroadway.com.

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