The Piedmont College Theatre Department will kick off 2016 with a technically challenging stage adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel The Invisible Man. Adapted by play- wright Len Jenkins, the play transported viewers to a small town in 1957.

The play tells the story of a family running a quiet motel. They are confronted by a mysterious scientist who has found the secret of becoming invisible. The family’s young son, Jim, discovers how scientific experimentation can raise serious ethical questions, that people are not always as they seem and when intelligence and imagination are combined, they can become dangerous two-edged swords.

The Invisible Man focuses on the themes of science and power introduced in the 1897 novel by the same name. By moving the story to 1957, Jenkins situates the play within the atomic age, making the amoral behavior of crazed scientist Jack Griffin even more sinister. It simultaneously raises serious ethical questions about scientific discovery.

According to Director Kathy Blandin, “most of us view science as a body of objective facts, but Jenkins’s play complicates this notion by showing us that scientists are human and, therefore, susceptible to human emotions such as greed, jealousy, rage and revenge. These emotions can drive scientists toward unethical behavior and decisions regarding their scientific discoveries.”

Or, as Michael Pritchard, a scientist and educator, so succinctly states, “science needs to be viewed, not merely as a body of organized factual knowledge, but as a human activity.” The theatrical demands of this play are pushing the boundaries of stage technology here at Piedmont College.

“We have to create the illusion of invisibility in front of a live theatre audience, and that is our greatest challenge,” said Henry Johnson, Technical Director.

The production team has to master several magic tricks to make Griffin disappear. Once invisible, Griffin eats lunch, performs scientific experiments and terrorizes peo- ple, all of which must be believable to the audience. Come see The Invisible Man (or not see him).

Performances of The Invisible Man are Feb. 11, 12, and 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 14 at 2:00 p.m. on the Swanson Center Mainstage. Adult tickets are $10, senior/student tickets are $5 and Piedmont College faculty, staff and stu- dents are free. Tickets can be ordered online at piedmont. edu/fa or by calling the box office at 706-778-8500 x1355.