INTERVIEW: ‘Fusiform Gyrus’ finds science bumping into music

Ellen Maddow’s Fusiform Gyrus — A Septet for Two Scientists and Five Horns, presented by the Talking Band theater company Feb. 7-25, explores the wonders of scientific discovery through characters inspired by real-life Israeli psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky.

In addition to the discoveries on display and “intellectual romance” between the scientists, there’s also music from a quintet of brass players. Together, the acting and the music-making combine for a wholly original tale that celebrates the boundless possibilities of science and art. The cast consists of Tom Nelis and Paul Zimet, in addition to musicians Chris DiMeglio, Lathan Hardy, Sam Kulik, Jessica Lurie and Peter Zummo.

Recently, Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Maddow about her new play, which is directed by Ellie Heyman at Downtown Manhattan’s HERE complex. Maddow is an OBIE winner for Painted Snake in a Painted Chair, and she’s also known for Fat Skirt Big Nozzle, Burnished by Grief and The Golden Toad. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.

What can audiences expect from Fusiform Gyrus — A Septet for Two Scientists and Five Horns?

A brass band (tuba, trumpet, trombone, alto and baritone saxophone); the power and excitement of big sound, up close, intimate and live; two singular scientists in love with each other’s minds; singing, dancing and acrobatic thinking.

How would you define an intellectual romance?

The two scientists in Fusiform Gyrus pass ideas back and forth like chocolates. They are curious, questioning, obsessed observers of the natural world. They work side by side, finishing each other’s thoughts, blissfully leap frogging from epiphany to epiphany.

Do you believe the show is topical and speaks to some issues that are debated in society today?

Fusiform Gyrus is a music theatre piece which celebrates the rigorous tradition of scientific discovery in a world where scientific truth is often challenged. It asks the question — What can we know? What happens when our biases warp our view of reality? It celebrates the power of science to explore the interface between our brains and the world, to understand our past, and to propel us into the future.

How much is the show inspired by Israeli psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky?

When I read about the relationship between Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, I was struck by the image of their colleagues overhearing them alone in a room laughing uproariously. I loved the idea of two people whose minds connect and generate brilliant ideas. I wanted to write a play with a relationship like that. I am interested in the different ways people can love and inspire each other.

What has it been like to work with director Ellie Heyman?

She is a great collaborator. She is smart, creative, insightful, enthusiastic and a dynamite problem solver. We are from different generations, but we are discovering that our creative impulses are a lot alike.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

Fusiform Gyrus — A Septet for Two Scientists and Five Horns runs Feb. 7-25 at HERE in Downtown Manhattan. Click here for more information and tickets.

Poster: Courtesy of Talking Band / Provided by press agent.