The play takes place in 1858 as a troubled Charles Darwin (to played by Cristofer) struggles to finish his landmark book The Origin of the Species, while halfway around the world, an unknown explorer named Wallace (to be played by Felciano) is coming up with the same theory of natural selection. Parnell's other plays include QED, The Sorrows of Stephen, and Hyde in Hollywood.

The show's creative team features Santo Loquasto (sets), Jane Greenwood (costumes), James Ingalls (lighting), and Obadiah Eaves (sound). Esbjornson's many directing credits include the Broadway production of The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?, The Play About the Baby, The Ride Down Mt. Morgan, and In the Blood.