Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
Farnsworth and Sarnoff may not be household names, but when it comes to technological visionaries, they rank with Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk. Acclaimed writer Aaron Sorkin’s Farnsworth Invention is an imagined look at the invention of television as told by two of its pioneers: Philo Farnsworth and David Sarnoff. While Sorkin takes dramatic liberty with specific details and events, the play hinges on the historically factual dispute over who owns the patent for television. The play was originally conceived as a movie and still feels highly cinematic, with many locations and a large ensemble cast, each playing several different characters. Specific casting is flexible, with a minimum of 19 actors.
Show Information
- Book
- Aaron Sorkin
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2007
- Genres
- Drama, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Various settings. 1920s-1930s.
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Large Cast, Ensemble Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Early Teen, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Ensemble |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Guide Written By:
Kevan Dunkelberg
Oklahoma-based drama teacher, actor and playwright