Alan Alda has been an actor for many years, but he also excels at writing. His latest play, Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie is being presented in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood. Alda says, he has had a long-time interest in science, and in particular, with Marie Curie. The production is superbly directed by veteran director Daniel Sullivan and features a cast of stirring actors headed by a remarkable performance by Anna Gunn as Marie Curie.

 

She and her husband Pierre (John de Lancie) were deeply in love, had two daughters, but were totally entrenched in their scientific work in Paris, France. It paid off for them when they discovered radium and were awarded the Nobel Prize. However, the prize was going to Pierre only, who refused to accept it without his wife, and eventually the committee offered it to both of them. When it came time to be presented, Marie was not allowed on stage, but had to watch from the audience while her husband accepted the prize for both of them. This was but one obstruction she had to overcome in her lifetime.

Unfortunately, Pierre was killed in an accident soon after, and Marie continued her research alone, only to win a second Nobel Prize in another scientific field, the only woman ever to do so. But Alda's story is more about her life and struggles as she first became popular in France, and after a love affair with another scientist and friend, Paul Langevin (Dan Donahue), a married man, she became headline news and lost favor with all of France. Alda has written a tender and intricate play about Curie. Sarah Zimmerman , who plays Jeanne Langevin, the loveless wife of Paul, reels with jealousy and hate. Others in the cast include Hugo Armstrong (Emile Borel), Natacha Roi (Marguerite Borel), and Leonard Kelly-Young (Tornebladh / Terbougie).

The wonderful period costumes (time set between 1898 and 1911) are by Rita Ryack; scenic design is by Thomas Lynch.

Radiance: The Passion of Marie Curie is performed Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 PM, Saturdays at 3 PM and 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM and 7 PM, through December 18. There will be no performance Thursday, November 24 (Thanksgiving Day) and a makeup performance will take place Monday, November 21, 2011. The Geffen Playhouse is located at 10886 Le Conte Avenue, in Westwood. Tickets are available in person at the Playhouse box office, by phone (310-208-5454) or online at www.geffenplayhouse.com.