World Set Free
by Bryn Magnus

WORLD SET FREE is the story of the top-secret race to produce the first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction.

Brilliantly eccentric Hungarian scientist Leo Szilard and Enrico Fermi tell the story of the fevered work of a unique collection of scientists that were gathered at the University of Chicago in April of 1942.

WORLD SET FREE explores the meeting place between the scientists' secret culture, the popular culture of the time, and a world on the brink of atomic power.“WORLD SET FREE … is such a deeply thoughtful and accessible meditation on the scientific process, the mystery and beauty of invention and the moral responsibility of scientists that it deserves a far wider audience.

And every effort should be made to see that this lovely, richly intelligent [play] gets an extended life.”

—Hedy Weiss, Chicago-Sun Times“Rich, thoughtful and quite compelling, this is a smart and powerful little show that falls into the very rare category of being ideal for kids — and adults — who are interested in a weighty look at hard science.

What’s most impressive here is how much depth of theme and narrative complexity this strikingly clear, original play…manages to probe despite a running time of less than 90 minutes.”

—Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune