The Catastrophist

The Catastrophist
By Lauren M. Gunderson
Directed by Jasson Minadakis
a co-production of Marin Theatre Company and Round House Theatre
March 15 – April 4, 2021

How do you plan for catastrophe? Virologist Nathan Wolfe, named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for his work tracking Ebola and swine flu, proposed pandemic insurance years before the novel coronavirus outbreak. No one bought it. Now, in a post-COVID world, we hear his story—presented entirely digitally. The Book of Will playwright Lauren Gunderson returns with a time-jumping tale based on the life and work of Nathan Wolfe (who also happens to be her husband). A deep dive into the profundities of scientific exploration and the harrowing realities of facing your own mortality, The Catastrophist is a world premiere theatrical experience built of and for this moment in time.

“In Ms. Gunderson’s hands, (the play) sheds compassionate light on the all-too-human tendency to ignore catastrophe until it’s too late.” — The Economist

Lauren Gunderson’s play, The Revolutionists, opened City Theatre’s 2018-19 season. She is America’s most-produced contemporary playwright.