THEATER | Fascinating physics

Dynamic Patterns Theatre is presenting QED: A Play, written by Peter Parnell, over three weekends in three communities, with the opening on Sept. 13 at Hoogland Center for the Arts. The show, which played on Broadway, covers a day in the life of Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman (Al Scheider of Decatur) who played a role in the Manhattan Project and Challenger inquiry. QED stands for quantum electrodynamics, a model that describes how light and matter interact. Incorporated into the local production is a panel of scientists and educators from the Springfield area – Dr. John Martin, Dr. Brian Carrigan, Dr. Joanne Budzien, Dr. Jeff Chamberlain and Laurie O’Brien – who will discuss physics ideas and descriptions alongside Feynman’s character, bio and unique stories. Directed and co-produced by Matthew T. Dearing, the production travels to Playhouse on the Square in Jacksonville on Sept. 20-21 (7:30) and to Decatur’s Madden Arts Center on Oct. 4-5 (8 p.m.).