College Play Explores Television’s Tainted Discovery

This weekend, Bergen Community College students take on the latest work of Aaron Sorkin with "The Farnsworth Invention", depicting the story of a young man's fight against corporate America.

The play focuses on young farm boy Phil Farnsworth, portrayed by Leonia's Zach McDevitt, who at the age of 22 shared his creation of a television tube to broadcast picture waves over the air. His invention is later stolen by David Sarnoff (Andres Morillo of Wayne), the president of Radio Corporation of America (RCA), who was determined to control emerging television technology. 

Sorkin who penned "The West Wing" and "A Few Good Men" will have his latest work debut on the local stage on Friday Feb. 22, 7:30pm and repeat on Feb. 23, 28, March 1 and 2 in the evening with matinee shows on Feb. 22 and March 2, 2pm. All performances will be staged in the Ender Hall Laboratory Theatre.

A special panel discussion will be held immediately following the February 28 performance. 

Rounding out the cast are Eireann Ingersoll (Mahwah), Victoria Lopez (Ridgefield), Katy Della Penna (Pompton Lakes), John Sapida (Paramus), Rafi Bromberg (Rdigewood), Michelle Ayton (Dumont), Matthew Cordero (Kearny), Danny Rios (Clifton), Balpreet Bindra (Fair Lawn) and Dionel Nunez (Fair Lawn).

Tickets cost $12 for general admission, $7 for students and senior citizens (65 and over) and are available by calling (201) 447-7428 or online at http://tickets.bergen.edu.