Master playwright Tom Stoppard’s latest work tells the story of Hilary, a young psychologist who works in an acclaimed brain science institute. Immersed in a world of clinical rationality, she risks both her career and ridicule from her colleagues to confront the titular Hard Problem of her field head on: If we are nothing more than matter and chemical reactions then how can we explain consciousness? Filled to the brim with Stoppard’s trademark wit and intellectual energy, this play asks us to consider our own humanity and whether faith and science can coexist.
SHOWTIMES
October 27 – November 19, 2017
Fifth Floor, Energy Innovation Center
Sponsored by Wabtec Corporation
This performance has passed.
Energy Innovation Center
Formerly the Connolly Trade School, this once shuttered 200,000 square foot historic building reopened in 2014 as the Energy Innovation Center thanks to the hard work of a number of stakeholders, most notably the Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation. Even as renovations continue, the facility is humming with activity. Trade apprenticeship programs, laboratories for five different universities, and co-working spaces all call the EIC home. Furthermore, the building recently achieved LEED Platinum Certification, marking the EIC as a cutting edge example of work in energy-efficiency and sustainability. With a mission to, “engage corporate and community leaders, align workforce development and education, develop and demonstrate technology, and incubate businesses to support emerging clean and sustainable energy markets” the EIC shares a spirit of innovation with Quantum which has made for a very rewarding partnership.
The Hard Problem will transform the expansive fifth floor of this vibrant center for science and trade education into a immersive artistic home for our story of science and faith.
Meet the Cast
Vinny Anand
Amal
Fredi Bernstein
Julia
Ken Bolden
Leo
Daina Michelle Griffith
Ursula
Claire Hsu
Bo
Randy Kovitz
Jerry
Andrew William Smith
Spike
Alex Spieth
Hilary
Grace Vensel
Cathy
Creative Team
Rachel M. Stevens
Director
Stephanie Mayer-Staley
Scenic Design
Angela Vesco
Costume Design
Joe Spinogatti
Projection Design
Andrew David Ostrowski
Lighting Design
Steve Shapiro
Sound Design
Michelle K. Engleman
Stage Manager
The Hard Problem in the news
Recent Posts / View All Posts
Pittsburgh City Paper - The always witty and erudite Tom Stoppard probes human nature. Are we just a bunch of genes and neurons that direct our behavior? Where does consciousness…
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - In the Pittsburgh premiere of Tom Stoppard’s latest play, Quantum Theatre employs every tool in its creative arsenal as it paves the way to ponder “The Hard…
The Pittsburgh Tatler - British playwright Tom Stoppard has built a career writing plays about ideas. His first play, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, was an existentialist comedy, in which two minor…
‘Burgh Vivant - In Tom Stoppard’s cerebral play, “The Hard Problem” the playwright explores René Descartes famous philosophical proposition, “Cogito ergo sum,” or, more roughly translated, “I think therefore I am.”…
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Quantum Theatre invites you to join them in wrestling with “The Hard Problem,” Tom Stoppard’s 2015 play that asks tough questions about biology and consciousness, science and…
Entertainment Central Pittsburgh - Just when a lot of folks thought Tom Stoppard was done with playwriting, after a long and illustrious career of turning out plays that combine philosophical…
Tribune-Review - Noted playwright Tom Stoppard's latest work, “The Hard Problem,” will have its Pittsburgh premiere, Oct. 27 to Nov. 19 as a production of Quantum Theatre. The play tells…
