Galileo
BOOK BY DANNY STRONG
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY MICHAEL WEINER & ZOE SARNAK
CHOREOGRAPHED BY DAVID NEUMANN
DIRECTED BY MICHAEL MAYER
WORLD PREMIERE
RODA THEATRE
MAY 5–JUN 16, 2024
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Four-time Tony Award nominee Raúl Esparza stars in a dazzling world-premiere musical helmed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, American Idiot, Swept Away), written by two-time Emmy winner Danny Strong (Dopesick, Empire, The Butler). When maverick scientist Galileo Galilei makes celestial observations that challenge humanity’s understanding of its place in the universe, he’s summoned to Rome to defend his discoveries before the most powerful religious institution in the world, which is facing a rebellion of its own. With an original rock score and lyrics by Michael Weiner (Broadway’s First Date) and Zoe Sarnak (Jonathan Larson Award winner), Galileo is an explosive collision of science and faith, truth and power. Galileo will likely join the constellation of world premieres that traveled from Berkeley Rep to Broadway — be the first to see it here!
Production information
Runtime: Approximately two hours and 30 minutes including one 15-minute intermission
See and hear
Sneak peek at “Heaven’s Changing” from Galileo
Closed captioning
Closed captioning on your smartphone is available for the following performances: May 22, Jun 12, and every matinee. See all closed captioning performances. Learn more about our accessibility programs.
Events and extras
Musical Theatre Trivia Night
Join us on May 9 in Michael’s Second Act bar for an epic Trivia Night celebrating Berkeley Rep’s dazzling new musical Galileo. Show off your musical theatre prowess, score awesome prizes, and mingle with fellow theatre lovers before the evening’s performance. Doors open at 6:30pm. This event is free and open to the public.
Postshow discussions
Join us after the show on May 24, May 30, or Jun 4 for a postshow discussion, expertly guided by members of Berkeley Rep’s artistic team.
Pride Night
Join us on Jun 7 in the Narsai M. David Courtyard for Cosmic Odyssey: A Pride Celebration. Hosted by Sir Joq, this special preshow will feature performances by Polly Amber Ross, Qozmo the Clown, Jota Mercury, and more! Light bites provided by Heroic Italian and wine provided by Perfusion Vineyard. Doors open at 6:45pm. This event is free and open to the public.
Docent-led postshow discussions
Join your fellow audience members after all matinees for a thought-provoking postshow discussion led by our knowledgeable docents.
Health and safety
Masks are required for audiences in our theatre on all Sundays (matinees and evenings) and Tuesdays. Masks are encouraged but optional for performances from Wednesday through Saturday. Visit our health and safety page for updates on our requirements for audience members.
Creative team
Rachel Hauck | Scenic Design
Anita Yavich | Costume Design
Kevin Adams | Lighting Design
John Shivers | Sound Design
Jason H. Thompson, Kaitlyn Pietras | Projection Design
Tom Watson | Hair, Wig, Make-Up Design
Jim Carnahan, CSA; Jason Thinger, CSA | Casting
Brian Usifer | Music Supervision and Orchestrations
Roberto Sinha | Music Director
Ben Villegas Randle | Associate Director
T. Oliver Reid | Associate Choreographer
Jonathan Bauerfeld | Associate Music Director and Score Associate
Sean Kana | Contractor
Rick Steiger* | Production Stage Manager
Amy Marsico* | Stage Manager
Karen Evanouskas* | Assistant Stage Manager
Cast
(in alphabetical order)
Bradley Dean* | Bishop Grasso; U/S Galileo Galilei
Gabrielle Elisabeth* | Ensemble; U/S Virginia Galilei & Young Nun
Raúl Esparza* | Galileo Galilei
Adam Halpin* | Ensemble (Bruno Giordano & Vice Commander Caspari); U/S Bishop Maffeo Barberini
Michal Kolaczkowski* | Swing; Dance Captain; U/S Bruno Giordano & Vice Commander Caspari
Jeremy Kushnier* | Bishop Maffeo Barberini
Claire Kwon* | Swing; U/S Young Nun
Nicole Kyoung-Mi Lambert* | Ensemble; U/S Virginia Galilei & Mother Superior
Christian Magby* | Alessandro Tarantola
Michael J. Mainwaring* | Ensemble; U/S Paolo Tarantola
Madalynn Mathews* | Virginia Galilei
Alexander Mendoza* | Ensemble; U/S Alessandro Tarantola & Bishop Grasso
Javier Muñoz* | Cardinal Morosini
Brian Ray Norris* | Ensemble; U/S Galileo Galilei & Paolo Tarantola
Chase Peacock* | Ensemble; U/S Bishop Maffeo Barberini
Noah Plomgren* | Swing; U/S Cardinal Morosini, Bruno Giordano & Vice Commander Caspari
David Rowen* | Swing
DeMone Seraphin* | Ensemble (Paolo Tarantola); U/S Bishop Grasso & Cardinal Morosini
Madeleine Spacapan* | Ensemble; U/S Mother Superior
Erica Sweany* | Ensemble (Mother Superior)
Zalah Brenae Vallien* | Ensemble (Young Nun)
Adrian Villegas* | Ensemble; U/S Alessandro Tarantola
Band
Roberto Sinha | Keys / Music Director
Jonathan Bauerfeld | Keys / Associate Music Director
Stephen Danska | Guitar
Daniel Fabricant | Bass
Yuri Kye | Violin
Dave MacNab | Guitar
Joshua Mikus-Mahoney | Cello
Chris Sutherland | Drums
* Indicates a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional stage actors and stage managers in the United States