5th & D Street Theater

Performance Dates: January 29-February 21, 2026

Directed by Nanette Voss and Julie Benson

Redwood Curtain Theatre Company presents Lauren Gunderson's play, The Half-Life of Marie Curie, which centers on the friendship between two-time Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie and engineer and social reformer Hertha Ayrton following the scandalous public revelation of Curie's affair after the death of her husband, Pierre.

Feeling ostracized by the male-dominated scientific community and the Parisian public, Marie retreats to Hertha's seaside home. Through their spirited conversations, the play subtly examines the systemic misogyny and intense scrutiny faced by brilliant women who dare to transgress societal norms, suggesting that even monumental scientific achievement offers no shield from reputational damage.

Notes about this play:

The performance is about two hours with a 15 minute intermission
It contains adult themes such as adultery, sex, and language and is recommended for age 14 and up.
The Friday night performance on February 6 will have a "talk back" with the audiences
Special pricing applies for Thursday "Date Night" performances

Please select a performance

About Ticket Pricing and Performances

We have simplified our ticketing system and now offer two ticket options:

Supporter Ticket – $25
Discount Ticket – $20

If you are able, we encourage you to choose the Supporter Ticket.

Supporter Tickets help keep our theater sustainable and include a few special perks:

Express entry
Personalized recognition for your support
Waived exchange fees if you need to change your ticket date

If the Supporter option is not right for you, the Discount Ticket is available to anyone who needs it.

Discount Tickets replace our previous Senior and Student pricing and require no qualifications or explanations. Simply select the Discount Ticket and you are set. You receive the same seating options, the same warm welcome from our staff and volunteers, and the same great experience. No one will know your ticket is discounted. This is simply our way of making theater more accessible to everyone.

New! Pay What You Want on Thursday Nights

We have added Thursday "Date Night" performances to many of our shows (although you don't have to be on a date of course 😉). On Thursday nights only, Discount Tickets become Pay What You Want. Once you select a Discount Ticket, you will be able to choose your own price, starting as low as $10.

This is another way we are working to ensure that theater is available to everyone, regardless of budget.

About Our Masked Matinees:

Based on extensive feedback, we have discontinued our Masked Matinees. Masks are still recommended at our performances, but they are no longer required at second Sunday matinees. Thank you for your understanding.