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The Prince Part 1


After 36 years, Central Works presents its final production - and it is terrific! Gary Graves, playwright and Central Works Co-Director, has been inspired to interpret the life of Niccolo Machiavelli since 2009, in at least four different iterations. Now in The Prince Parts 1 & 2, he reveals Machiavelli’s whole career in one long, six-act play, broken into two parts.

Machiavelli needs to find out if it is best to be fair or ruthless when dealing with people like fanatically pious Brother Jerome Savonarola and ruthless Duke Cesare Borgia – with the aim of furthering his own career.

When we meet him, Machiavelli is like a competent administrator with his check lists, taking in the actions and reactions of those around him. He is never the center of attention. As a young diplomat for the Republic of Florence, Machiavelli, played with naive innocence by excellent Kevin Singer, attempts to reason with “mad monk” Savonarola, played by Mark Farrel, who appeals to the religious faith of the people while his boy gangs ravage the populace.

We are enthralled with Savonarola’s vision of a “bonfire of the vanities.” His soliloquy is tremendous!

Mark Farrell
The Medici are coming. Florence is a Republic, as Machiavelli repeatedly tells us. And before you know it, he is confronted by Duke Cesare Borgia who demands, “where’s my money” and forces Machiavelli to change his tune. Borgia has been in talks with Louis XII of France about a Treaty of Blois and taking Pisa. And, he can do whatever he wants because his father is the Pope.

Borgia’s bad boy leather pants and threatening silver jewelry tell us right away he is not to be messed with. Kudos to costume designer Tammy Berlin!

Brennan Pickman-Thoon
Playwright Graves uses Act 2 to expand the play’s historical perspective. Borgia, chilling Brennan Pickman-Thoon, declares everything is changing. The world is round, they have ammunition, they can print. Everything is possible. We’re aghast at his lack of empathy as he declares fortune favors the bold and brags about directing his soldiers to take no prisoners. These are desperate times for Italy!

A tour of the Borgia palace with its rich fabrics, furnishings and paintings awes Machiciavelli, indicating his malleability.

Duke Cesare Borgia’s ruthless glee describing his revenge against his captains is unsettling - the man is completely amoral. Strangely, he has a belief in astrology and a huge admiration for Leonardo da Vinci. He cultivates a friendship with the painter and inventor, and it’s no surprise he is particularly impressed with Leonardo’s ideas for weaponry.

In the third act, Machiavelli is finding his way - navigating cautiously around Borgia. His wardrobe and hair now have a tough, good fella look.

You can see just The Prince Part 1 and leave the theater thoroughly satisfied. But I recommend you also see the continuing story of Machiavelli’s rise in The Prince Part 2. You won’t regret it.

The Prince Part 1 the life and times of Niccolo Machiavelli, World Premiere #80, written & directed by Gary Graves, costumes by Tammy Berlin, lighting by Gary Graves, sound by Gregory Scharpen. Central Works at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant, Berkeley, CA – to September 6, 2026.

Info: https://centralworks.org/the-prince-parts-1-2

Cast: Mark Farrell, Kevin Singer, and Brennan Pickman-Thoon.
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