(Posted February 18, 2008)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Karl Marx, the socialist philosopher and intellectual force behind the rise of communism in the 20th century, will be portrayed on stage at Juniata College in a one-man show, "Marx in Soho" at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20 in Alumni Hall in the Brumbaugh Academic Center on the Juniata campus.

The show is free and open to the public.

Actor Bob Weick plays Karl Marx as a personable man devoted to his wife and family. The play follows Marx as he struggles to write "Das Kapital" while trying to support his family in London, England. Marx lived in London for much of his life.

The play tells how Marx reached his theories, and also leaps forward in time, giving the Marx character the ability to comment on how communism developed during, and especially after, his lifetime.

Weick has performed "Marx in Soho" across the country, primarily on college campuses.

"Marx in Soho" was written by historian and activist Howard Zinn, who is celebrated for two seminal history books: "A People's History of the United States," and "The Twentieth Century."

Zinn is a professor emeritus of history at Boston University and was chair of the history department at Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga. Zinn participated in the civil rights movement during his time at Spelman. He lives in Massachusetts and lectures on history and politics. Zinn is the author of nearly 20 books on a variety of topics.

The theatrical piece is produced by Iron Age Theatre, a Philadelphia-based arts organization. The Juniata production is sponsored by the Department of Politics.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.