Bertolt Brecht's The Life of Galileo tells the story of Galileo's discovery, four hundred years ago, that Copernicus was right- the earth turns around the sun. It focuses on the ensuing conflict between Galileo and the Church, ultimately leading to his recantation and imprisonment. Brecht wrote this play while in exile from Nazi Germany and his examination of how authoritarian forces stifle progressive thinking is still relevant today.

The Life of Galileo will be presented as a marquee event of the Winter 2009 LSA Theme Semester, "The Universe- Yours to Discover".

It will be performed March 26th, 27th and 28th at 7:30 pm, and Sunday the 29th at 2:00pm - all shows will be at the Residential College Auditorium. There will be a symposium with UM faculty discussing the play and its history on Saturday March 28th from 2:00-3:30pm, also at the RC Auditorium. The production is free to UM students (with UM ID).  Suggested donation for non-students is 10 dollars per ticket.

The production is generated through the RC "Play Production Seminar" course and is directed by RC Drama faculty member Kate Mendeloff. It features RC drama professor Martin Walsh in the leading role. The cast also includes theater professor Leigh Woods as the Inquisitor and RC Director Charlie Bright as the Pope.