Great Men of Genius at Berkeley Rep June 6 - July 1

This June, masterful monologist Mike Daisey returns to Berkeley Rep with Great Men of Genius, a series of shows that apply his trademark wit and eccentric insight to fascinating historical figures performed June 6 through July 1. On consecutive nights, Mike explores the legendary lives of P.T. Barnum, Bertolt Brecht, L. Ron Hubbard, and Nikola Tesla - and on Sundays he performs all four monologues in a manic marathon worthy of a mad scientist.

"In Great Men of Genius, directed by Jean-Michele Gregory, Mike Daisey crashes his audacious style of storytelling into the lives of four masterminds and explores the nature of genius, wrestling with the pride, insanity, and chauvinism that bind these men together - and revealing what the heights and depths of their gifts can teach us about ourselves," states press notes, "Along the way, of course, he discovers unexpected aspects of himself. Each monologue is unique and can be viewed independently, but the four together form an epic oral account of triumph and folly told with Daisey's dark and hilarious intensity."

Great Men of Genius will be performed on the following schedule:
o Brecht on Wednesdays: June 6, 13, 20 & 27 at 8PM
o Barnum on Thursdays: June 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 8PM
o Tesla on Fridays: June 8, 15, 22 & 29 at 8PM
o Hubbard on Saturdays: June 9, 16, 23 & 30 at 8PM

Marathons on Sundays:
o Brecht and Barnum at 2PM: June 10, 17 & 24 and July 1
o Tesla and Hubbard at 7PM: June 10, 17 & 24 and July 1

Tickets: $30 for one genius; $50 for two genius; and $75 all four geniuses.  Half-price tickets available to those under 30 (some restrictions apply). Berkeley Rep subscribers save $5 on one genius, $10 on two geniuses, and $15 if they see three or more.  For tickets or information call 510-647-2949 or toll-free at 888-4BRT-Tix or visit www.berkeleyrep.org.

Berkeley Rep's Thrust Stage is located at 2025 Addison Street, one block from Berkeley's downtown BART station and close to AC Transit bus lines. The theatre is accessible to the handicapped, offering wheelchair seating and special services for those with hearing- or vision-impairment.