Shawn Elliott and Aasif Mandvi to Star in Einstein’s Gift

Shawn Elliott and Aasif Mandvi will star in the Epic Theatre Center’s production of Einstein’s Gift, a new play by Vern Thiessen that is set to begin performances on October 1 at the Acorn Theater. The production, to be directed Ron Russell, will run through November 6.

Einstein’s Gift concerns the relationship between the world famous scientist, to be played by Elliott, and his colleague Fritz Haber, to be played by Mandvi. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Einstein’s death.

Elliott has been seen in such Broadway shows as Marie Christine and City of Angels; he is married to Donna Murphy. Mandvi is currently appearing in the Williamstown Theater Festival production of On the Razzle. His credits include the 2002 Broadway revival of Oklahoma! (in which he played Ali Hakim) as well as the Off-Broadway productions of his own play Sakina’s Restaurant and Guantanamo. Thiessen is an acclaimed Canadian playwright.

Also in the cast of the Acorn Theater production are James Wallert, Melissa Friedman, Sarah Winkler, Glenn Flesher, Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr., and Nilaja Sun.