The Way out west
"(Three chapters on the young, communist-sympathizing leftists
who were sent from their physics and engineering posts
to the desert of New Mexico
as part of the top-secret Manhattan Military Engineering District-
later known as the Manhattan Project-
to build the first atomic bomb
and the parties they threw)"
-Liza Birkenmeier, playwright
who were sent from their physics and engineering posts
to the desert of New Mexico
as part of the top-secret Manhattan Military Engineering District-
later known as the Manhattan Project-
to build the first atomic bomb
and the parties they threw)"
-Liza Birkenmeier, playwright
Setting
Top-secret nuclear weapon development site: Los Alamos Laboratory, Otowi, New Mexico, United States
Early - Midsummer 1945
Early - Midsummer 1945
Character overview
Couples & Ages
Leona (20) and Norman (21) Irene (24) and Morris (24) Grete (21) and husband (unnamed) Max (23) Jack (19) Cyril (20) Leroy (19) Nellie (23) Harvey (25) Milton (18) Oppie (27) Major Mary Kelly (VO) |
Military:
Harvey (Capt.), Jack (Second Lt.), Mary Kelly (Major) Scientists: Engineers Norman, Cyril, Leroy Theoretical physicists Morris, Max, Grete, Oppie [Oppenheimer] Civilians: Leona, Irene, Nellie, Milton |
Communist ties
Irene (Communist sympathizer) Morris (Communist leanings) Leroy (KGB spy) |