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Photograph 51  By  cover art

Photograph 51

By: Anna Ziegler
Narrated by: Anna Chlumsky, Omar Metwally, Benjamin Rosenfield, Stephen Kunken, David Corenswet, Aasif Mandvi
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Publisher's summary

In 1951, chemist Rosalind Franklin (Anna Chlumsky) works relentlessly in her King’s College London lab, closing in on a major discovery that could unlock the mysteries of the DNA molecule. Undermined by her colleague Maurice Wilkins (Omar Metwally), she struggles to compete with rival team Watson and Crick (David Corenswet and Aasif Mandvi) as pressure intensifies to produce results. 

Following a critically acclaimed run in London, Anna Ziegler’s play is brought to life in a new production directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman, honoring the monumental contribution of one scientist with two X chromosomes whom history nearly left behind.

©2020 Anna Ziegler (P)2020 AO Media LLC

Go Behind the Scenes of Photograph 51

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About the Creator

Anna Ziegler’s plays include the widely produced Photograph 51 (West End, directed by Michael Grandage and starring Nicole Kidman; named the number one play of 2019 by the Chicago Tribune; winner of the WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Play; it will soon be included in Bloomsbury's Modern Classics series), The Last Match (Roundabout; Old Globe; Writers Theatre), The Wanderers (Old Globe and upcoming at The Roundabout) and Actually (Geffen Playhouse; Williamstown; Manhattan Theatre Club; Trafalgar Studios and many more; L.A. Ovation Award winner for Playwriting for an Original Play). Oberon Books has published a collection of her work entitled Anna Ziegler: Plays One. She is developing TV and film projects at HBOMax and Scott Free Productions.

About the Director

A five-time Tony Award winning director and choreographer, her work has been honored with Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel, and a record five Astaire Awards. She directed and choreographed the Tony Award-winning Best Musicals Contact, and The Producers, winner of a record-making 12 Tony Awards. Broadway credits include The Scottsboro Boys, Show Boat, Bullets Over Broadway, Big Fish, Oklahoma!, Young Frankenstein, Thou Shalt Not, The Music Man, The Frogs, Steel Pier, Prince of Broadway, and Crazy for You. Off-Broadway credits include The Beast in the Jungle, Dot, Flora the Red Menace, And the World Goes ’Round, Happiness, The Last Two People on Earth: An Apocalyptic Vaudeville, and Marie. She directed and choreographed The Merry Widow for the Metropolitan Opera. She directed and choreographed The Producers: The Movie Musical, nominated for four Golden Globes, and received the American Choreography Award for her work in the film Center Stage. She is the recipient of the George Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement in the American Theater and a member of the Theater Hall of Fame.

Also Featuring

Audible Questionnaire with Anna Chlumsky

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What listeners say about Photograph 51

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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Loved the story; loved the style

I didn't know anything about Rosalind Franklin and now I can't get enough of learning about her.

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1 person found this helpful

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The very best listen!!!!

I loved this play! I like to learn about new people in history. Fast moving. I listened to it all in one setting. Thank you for making it free. Please do more like this...

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Unexpected and wonderful

So well done; an important story with outstanding acting. A peek at an area of science that is within many of our lifetimes. And such humanity….

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  • Overall
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An Extraordinary Story

This play was both an extraordinary story and a fine performance. I was quite captivated and ultimately, moved.

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  • Overall
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Creative way to share history

I enjoyed listening to this story and learning about a part of history I never knew existed. The actors were great and it kept my attention.

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  • Overall
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worth every minute

this is simply exquisite! (and i learned now how to spell that word just for this)
poetic theater, heart meets head and there's no going back. enjoy :)

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4 people found this helpful

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Great Play

The story is superb. The acting incredible. I loved this listen. I wanted to know more about all the characters after it was done.

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Brilliant in so many ways

Everything is great about this, from the real life subject on which it was based to the quality of the performance and everything in between and everyone involved.

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Theater on Audiobook format?? Yes! It works!

Anna Ziegler’s play actually came to life in this performance. I was quite skeptical about the ability to bring good theater to this format, but Anna Chlumsky’s performance is nothing short of brilliant. I could imagine being in a theater and watching this performance. Marvelous!

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Not to be missed!

Great story; great script; Really, Really good acting; compelling story based strongly on real events and the people who lived them. It’s not lost on me how much harder it was then for brilliant, able, imaginative women to fight for opportunities to work in all STEM fields. The playing field is still not equal. I love that this beautifully written play gives Rosalind Franklin the honor she deserves. Even more, I love that she will become more widely known and thus be an inspiration to new people.

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