As history recounts, it's 1664 and the famous scientist Sir Isaac Newton is 24 years old and NOT famous, knighted, or significant – he is, however, at the height of his creativity. Cambridge University is closed due to plague so he returns home to Woolsthorpe where, in the course of two years, comes up with every idea he is later credited for including calculus, optics, universal gravitation, infinite limits, and the law of planetary motion. During these two years, his "annus miribalis," Isaac speaks to no one but his servant, Lucas.
LEAP, a historical and scientific fiction, opens with Isaac returning home. Enter Brightman and Maria Bains, ages 16 and 12, two girls with a plan and a job with seemingly universal and timeless importance of which Isaac is to play a major role. The mystery girls (muses? angels? messengers?) approach him and offer him their curiosity and creativity in exchange for his participation in games. After grudgingly agreeing a cold-shouldered Isaac finds that the girls and their games inspire the brilliance we still celebrate. As their work together becomes more intense Brightman realizes that she has unorthodox feelings for her “student”, and tricks both Isaac and Maria. As his creativity heightens Isaac begins to want more than his share of knowledge – a desire that, if Brightman were to humor, could rock the entire course of human thought. Brightman must fight her youth-induced romantic desire to balance the pace of knowledge. Maria must offset Brightman’s diversions to keep “to the plan.”
When Isaac’s mother appears to tell him he must run the farm for his dying stepfather instead of returning to Cambridge, Isaac is more determined to prove his theories than ever. In a finale charged with desire, omniscience, love, power, and, pain all three players must come to grips with their own realities.
This is a story of left and right brain power, friendship and relationship, desire and hope, being young and being brilliant, creativity and creation, art and science. Based on historical and scientific fact LEAP infuses myth, science, and biography into a new history of the greatest scientist of the Western culture.
CHARCTERS:
Isaac Newton: The 25 year-old version of the famed thinker. He is brisk, brilliant, and private. Will fight if provoked, can be vicious and manipulative, also alarmingly secretive.
Brightman Bains: 16 year old girl. Confident, brilliant, and creative but brazen, independent, and unbreakable. Will fight if provoked, dedicated to the cause.
Maria Bains: sister of Brightman. 12 years old, brilliant, creative, much more restrained and polite. The epitome of sweetness balanced by dedication. Should appear more fragile than Brightman but never less intelligent. Lucas: Isaac’s manservant and friend. Younger that Isaac, patient, quiet, caring.
Hannah: Isaac’s mother, mid 40’s, country wife, uneducated but strong
Set is one room filled with wooden furniture.
