Bibo and Bertie

In 1954, the most famous man in the world at the time—Albert Einstein—celebrates his 75th birthday. He knows that death is not far off; he is caught between a desperate struggle to complete his life’s work: the unified field theory, and his overwhelming desire to find peace of mind, to lay down his burdens of guilt over the nuclear arms race and his lifelong string of failed relationships. His most unusual...

In 1954, the most famous man in the world at the time—Albert Einstein—celebrates his 75th birthday. He knows that death is not far off; he is caught between a desperate struggle to complete his life’s work: the unified field theory, and his overwhelming desire to find peace of mind, to lay down his burdens of guilt over the nuclear arms race and his lifelong string of failed relationships. His most unusual birthday gift was an African grey parrot named Bibo (true story!). During their time together, Albert nurses Bibo back to health. The play is based on the notion that Bibo teaches him how to love, a skill Albert never mastered.

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Bibo and Bertie

Recommended by

  • Sheila Rinear: Bibo and Bertie

    Smart, bold, edgy-- Sarah Lawrence's take on Albert Einstein is an amazing example of how to make in-depth research work as brilliant theater. Lawrence's creativity applies a magically realistic imagining of the icon's final days that not only celebrate his achievements but also uncover many of Einstein's heartfelt regrets...professional and personal. Lawrence accomplishes this through the catalytic presence of Einstein's very real parrot, Bibo. A wonderful play!

    Smart, bold, edgy-- Sarah Lawrence's take on Albert Einstein is an amazing example of how to make in-depth research work as brilliant theater. Lawrence's creativity applies a magically realistic imagining of the icon's final days that not only celebrate his achievements but also uncover many of Einstein's heartfelt regrets...professional and personal. Lawrence accomplishes this through the catalytic presence of Einstein's very real parrot, Bibo. A wonderful play!

  • AJ DeLauder: Bibo and Bertie

    Bibo and Bertie is an extraordinarily nuanced look at one of the most well known figures of the 20th Century. Sarah Lawrence does an amazing job of not only examining the outer social complexities of such an enigmatic man, but also the inner workings of a father struggling to find common footing with his son. The play also dabbles in the physics of surrealism in a way that only theatre -- and Einstein -- could do. Highly recommend!

    Bibo and Bertie is an extraordinarily nuanced look at one of the most well known figures of the 20th Century. Sarah Lawrence does an amazing job of not only examining the outer social complexities of such an enigmatic man, but also the inner workings of a father struggling to find common footing with his son. The play also dabbles in the physics of surrealism in a way that only theatre -- and Einstein -- could do. Highly recommend!

Two males, two females, one non-gender specific voicing Bibo the parrot


Albert Einstein, 75
Bibo, a fifty-year-old African grey parrot
Helen Dukas, 59--Einstein's secretary
Johanna "Hanne" Fantova, 53, Einstein's last known girlfriend
Mileva Maric, Einstein's first wife. Doubled with Helen Dukas.
Hospital Nurse: 40s, doubled with Hanne Fantova
One male doubled on the following four minor roles:
* Dr. Thompson, veterinarian
* Kurt Godel, mathematician
* J. Robert Oppenheimer, "father of the bomb"
* Hans Albert Einstein, Albert's son

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Public Theatre in San Antonio ZOOM Public Potentials Reading Series, Year 2020
  • Type Workshop, Organization Lab Theater Project, Year 2018
  • Type Residency, Organization National Winter Playwright Retreat, Year 2017

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Public Theater of San Antonio--ZOOM production, Year 2020
  • Type Workshop, Organization Lab Theater Project, Year 2018

Awards

  • Stageplay Competition
    Austin Film Festival
    Semi-Finalist
    2018
  • Third Place--Stageplay Division
    Writer's Digest
    Finalist
    2016
  • Stanley Drama Award
    Wagner College Theater Program
    Finalist
    2017