Cast: 6m., 2w., up to 8 extras of either gender. With doubling, may be done with 5 of either gender. The life of Galileo Galilei makes both spellbinding drama and an absorbing lesson for young people in history and science. Enlivened by comedy and song, Galileo's inventions and adventures have their lighthearted moments, but by the time the Spanish Inquisition brings him to court you'll find your audiences gripped by a deeply serious exploration of ethics and scientific inquiry. The extensive, illustrated teacher resource guide for this play (included in the playbook) offers background information on Galileo and the philosophical climate of the times, classroom activities, glossary, questions for discussion, and a time line to help you set the ideas and events of the play in their historical context (Did you know Galileo was born in the same year as Shakespeare?). Flexible staging. Approximate running time: 45 minutes.