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Photo by Don Kellogg

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

The Farnsworth Invention

"The turning point of the 20th century wasn't on television. It was television". So goes the "grab" for this play at the lovely Music Box Theater on West 45th.

Jimmy Simpson and Hank Azaria bring the little-known drama and conflict over who invented the television to the Broadway stage. Clearly is was Philo T. Farnsworth... or was it Vladimir Zworykin who stole it from Farnsworth and worked for David Sarnoff at the Radio Corporation of America? Two acts later, the full story is revealed - and you find out the truth... or do you?

As critics will tell you, Aaron Sorkin (creator of The West Wing) has taken some liberties with this play - altering some facts, revealing to you at various points that he has; not telling you about altering others.

My bottom line is that this play was a drama meant to entertain. David Sarnoff says at the beginning of Act I, "The ends justify the means. What else are the means for?" Sorkin seems to do the same. Walking out of the theater, the result is the same - you understand that Sarnoff is credited with the invention of the TV and Farnsworth is a nobody regardless of a few altered facts. Along the way the audience is treated to the the lives, loves, and obsessions of both men in a way that only Sorkin could present - suburb, tight, fast-paced and intelligent dialogue.

Not a moment of "dead air" on stage - Simpson and Azaria couldn't be a better pair of adversaries - Top notch. The Tony nod should be headed their way. Only one of them can win. Perhaps another drama will ensue. Only time will tell.


Check out Philo T. Farnsworth on "I've Got A Secret" - 1957