The tragic story of British mathematical genius Alan Turing (1912-1954), who is considered by many to be the father of theoretical computer science, was long overdue a modern retelling. And what better way than in lovingly crafted song?

TURING is the brainchild of Timothy L. Michuda and Benjamin Ward (Book, Music and Lyrics). They provide a soaring soundtrack to the short but brilliant life and work of the titular subject. Turing was lauded as a hero for cracking the Nazi’s Enigma Code during World War II—and then the world turned on him, vilifying and prosecuting him as a criminal, simply for being gay.

Alan is played as a teenager by Angelo Bravos; as a 28-year-old by Kevin Soto; and finally at 40 by Dominick Rincker (who does quadruple duty as co-Music Director with Eddie Nicholson, co-Assistant Producer with Director Anna Maria D’Ortenzio, and Sound Designer).

The three eras of Turing’s life unfold simultaneously, as foreshadowed in the opening song, “Three Stories, One Man.” Emma Gordon plays Joan Clarke, the cryptologist who participated in the Enigma Project and became romantically involved with Turing. “There’s so little joy in the world, and I think we’d make a fantastic pair—a balanced equation,” she quips (and sings “The Perfect Equation”). Clarke, his eventual fiancée, becomes aware of Alan’s homosexuality after witnessing him “acting very familiar” with another man, but remains loyal (“What Is Love”). Eric Lewis is Christopher Morcom, Alan’s schoolmate and early close confidant (as portrayed in the spirited “That’s What Friends Do”). A tragic turn of events involving Christopher then spurs Turing to throw himself into the work that became his legacy. Gael Rojas is the older Turing’s young love Arnold Murray, whose relationship with the mathematician in 1952 leads to devastating consequences. “If it’s a crime to love and be loved…” protests Alan, but his lawyer can only concede that “in the courtroom, love is not the law.” Turing is convinced to plead guilty to avoid prison time (“Damned”), but this leads to an even darker and more horrifically unfair fate. “All I once knew crumbles to dust…is there a soul that I can trust?” he laments in the heartbreaking “Which Way Is Up?”

The three narratives are held skillfully together by the memorable, moving and poignant score. The music blends classic orchestral elements with modern jazz and contemporary pop, all sung and harmonized to impeccably by the talented cast. It all makes for an entertaining, fitting and emotional tribute to a man who was a victim of the age he lived in, and now stands as a celebrated icon of the LGBTQ+ community.

TURING ran at the Greenhouse Theater Center in Chicago in August as a Production of Blue Demon Theatre, and is due soon for a New York run.