Noted actor and activist Mike Farrell will portray the scientist whose research on carbon dioxide (CO2) gave the world its first early warnings of global warming, during Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Arts & Issues presentation of “Dr. Keeling’s Curve” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1 at Dunham Hall Theater on campus.
Farrell, who starred in the series “M*A*S*H” and “Providence,” will depict Dr. Charles Keeling. In this highly acclaimed performance, Farrell brings to life the quirky and brilliant man who created the Keeling Curve, the iconic chart that illustrates the rise in atmospheric CO2 levels from 1958 to present.
The story combines Keeling’s personal journey with the insights of atmospheric scientists who, hundreds of years earlier, made discoveries that laid the foundation for Keeling’s extraordinary work. The audience will meet Jean-Baptiste Joseph Fourier, whose obsession with heat led to an understanding of the greenhouse effect, and Svante Arrhenius, who proved a link between global warming and CO2. The play paints human portraits of these and other great scientists.
A short panel discussion with climate scientists will follow the show.
“This production provides a great opportunity to combine science and theater, while presenting a unique perspective on Dr. Keeling and the issue of global warming,” said Grant Andree, Arts & Issues director.
Prior to the show, the Friends of Theater and Dance (FOTAD) will hold a fundraising dinner with a reception/cash bar starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Conference Center of SIUE’s Morris University Center (MUC). A buffet dinner will follow at 6 p.m.
Tickets for the dinner are $25 and must be purchased by Tuesday, Feb. 26. Information on the dinner can be found at artsandissues.com or by calling 618-650-5194. For those attending the dinner, Arts & Issues will donate the ticket purchase of the play to FOTAD’s scholarship fund for SIUE students.
Tickets for “Dr. Keeling’s Curve” start at $35 with some discounts available. Tickets are available on the Arts and Issues website, at the MUC Information Desk or by calling 866-698-4253.
The Madison County Regional Office of Education and the SIUE Graduate School sponsor this Arts & Issues show. Friends of Theater and Dance is a SIUE Foundation organization that raises funds for students majoring in that field.
Arts & Issues is tied to the academic mission of the University. For more than 34 years, the series has presented some of the world’s finest performing artists and showcased speakers from across the spectrum in areas such as science, history, literature and politics. The program also offers unique opportunities for students, faculty, staff and the community to engage with these performers and speakers through master classes and special sessions.
Central to SIUE’s exceptional and comprehensive education, the College of Arts and Sciences offers degree programs in the natural sciences, humanities, arts, social sciences, and communications. The College touches the lives of all SIUE students helping them explore diverse ideas and experiences, while learning to think and live as fulfilled, productive members of the global community. Study abroad, service-learning, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities better prepare SIUE students not only to succeed in our region's workplaces, but also to become valuable leaders who make important contributions to our communities.
Photo: Noted actor and activist Mike Farrell.