London, 1952. British biophysicist Rosalind Franklin’s DNA discovery leads to the Nobel Prize – not for her, but for three men: Francis Crick, James Dewey Watson, and Maurice Wilkins. Recounting the competitive chase to map the DNA molecule, Photograph 51, moves deeper into the #MeToo movement and examines the pervasiveness of gender bias. This production  celebrates the anniversaries of The Nora, URT, and CST!

Photograph 51 is part of The Brit d’Arbeloff Women in Science Production Series. A Catalyst Collaborative@MIT Production.

Reviews
A remarkable balance of scientific subject matter and theatrical storytelling…a play that glows with intelligence and humanity.
— Backstage
An illuminating kind of theatrical X-ray… Photograph 51 neatly coils a scientific detective story around a rumination on how sexism, personality and morality can impact collaboration and creativity…It honors Franklin by painting her as a complete person, with flaws and sterling attributes, and by evoking the thrills and risks of scientific pursuit itself.
— The Seattle Times
It deals with timely feminist issues but also the key fundamentals of how we relate to each other, who we are, our tragic flaws…A TRIUMPH.
— The Telegraph
Among the many virtues of Anna Ziegler’s…satisfying Photograph 51 is the refusal to soften the woman at its center, the British scientist Rosalind Franklin, by making her anything other than formidably, even self-sabotagingly, intelligent…[The play] offers multiple insights into the sad and honorable secrets of one particular life.
— New York Times
Anna Ziegler’s terrific new play…is a gripping story of sexist unfairness…It’s fascinating. And never dull for a second…There is no better 90 minutes in town.
— The Chicago Tribune
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