Fermat's Last Theater Co.

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Fermat's Last Theater Co. FLT is a small nonprofit theater group based in Madison, WI.

Founded in 2013 by David Simmons and a motley crew of rude mechanicals with deep roots in the Madison community and a shared passion for and experience with the works of William Shakespeare. We graciously bum our name off of Pierre de Fermat, who never quite had enough room in the margins for all his notes.

A beautiful, late summer Saturday night. I asked myself, how many people would want to spend it listening to people tal...
08/23/2026

A beautiful, late summer Saturday night. I asked myself, how many people would want to spend it listening to people talking about a somewhat obscure, long dead, French philosopher? I was expecting 35, hoping for 40 and so printed 45 programs. But 76 of you showed up, many standing as MUSO only has seats for 60 - and it was amazing. Script and drawings by Gregg Williard, reading by Sonia Baku and Alex Hancock with Isaiah Dobbins on piano.

Thanks to all who came - I will post the bibliography later on Facebook and our website. Simone seems very present in today's confused world.

Tonight! Join us.
08/22/2026

Tonight! Join us.

Simone Weil died at age 34 but she packed a lot into those 34 years - and she chose to die, I think we can safely say, b...
08/20/2026

Simone Weil died at age 34 but she packed a lot into those 34 years - and she chose to die, I think we can safely say, because she was too perfect for this very imperfect world.

You may think it odd, but it occurred to me that another person we are thinking about for a future show (just an idea ...) also died at 34. That would be Charlie Parker. He burned so creatively that the alcohol and drugs he consumed took his life ... but the graffiti soon appeared in New York - Bird Lives!

One of our important partners and patrons is Thomas Ferrella and BlueStem Jazz - check out their amazing schedule of shows.

And to top it all off, our Simone Weil show is part of World Premiere Wisconsin - a state wide festival of new works for the stage.

So join us Saturday at MUSO for A Great Disturbance - The Life and Writings of Simone Weil. Free, of course.

Albert Camus won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1957. He made his travel arrangements to fly to Stockholm and he cal...
08/11/2026

Albert Camus won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1957. He made his travel arrangements to fly to Stockholm and he called for a cab very early because there was a place he wanted to visit before he left. He gave the cab driver an address, got out and walked upstairs to an apartment empty of all but a table and a few chairs. It was where Simone Weil had briefly lived. Camus sat silently for an hour, thinking about Simone, her writings (he was her editor at Gallimard) and short life. After his hour of homage, he walked downstairs, went to the airport and flew off to get his Nobel.
Join us for an hour of Simone's life and writing on Saturday August 22 at 7:30 PM at MUSO, 2040 Atwood. Free of course.

This reading is part of World Premiere Wisconsin, a statewide festivals of new theater. Check them out on the web.

See you on August 22.

When Simone Weil died at 34, the coroner listed cardiac failure and tuberculosis as the causes of death, but then added:...
08/03/2026

When Simone Weil died at 34, the coroner listed cardiac failure and tuberculosis as the causes of death, but then added: “the deceased did kill and slay herself by refusing to eat whilst the balance of her mind was disturbed.”
One of her biographers said, “What a small, trifling part of it. She died of patriotism, sorrow and shame at the fate of France…of vengefulness, because she wasn’t allowed to do a man’s heroic work…she died of what might be called an illness – her pathological need to share the sufferings of others. It’s as simple as that.”
Join us for an evening about this most astonishing of philosophers. Free, of course.

"Simone Weil, I maintain this now, is the only great spirit of our times." Albert Camus, 1951Our time is in dire need of...
07/26/2026

"Simone Weil, I maintain this now, is the only great spirit of our times." Albert Camus, 1951

Our time is in dire need of great spirits - what would Simone think of the world today? Join us for this reading and discussion of a very complicated spirit. Free, of course.

Break a leg to Tom Kastle Actor/Musician who takes the Fermat's Last Theater Co. show Joe Hill - Alive As You and Me to ...
03/21/2026

Break a leg to Tom Kastle Actor/Musician who takes the Fermat's Last Theater Co. show Joe Hill - Alive As You and Me to Greenwich Village tomorrow night!

We are heartbroken to announce that Nicholas Benjamin Simmons unexpectedly passed away in his sleep on Saturday, Decembe...
12/28/2025

We are heartbroken to announce that Nicholas Benjamin Simmons unexpectedly passed away in his sleep on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at the age of 39. He was highly involved in a number of endeavors including a startup, a venture fund, and book publishing. Nick's ultimate life goal and greatest happiness was bringing together passionate, interesting people.

At the time of his death, Nick and his wife Rebekah were in the middle of the next great journey: starting a family, with career changes and medical care well underway. There has been no determination in his cause of death at this time, and no explanation will ever be satisfactory for this loss felt by so many.

We want to honor Nick's life and ethos surrounded by his loved ones and the enormous number of people whose lives he touched with a memorial for him that honors this spirit. Due to the suddenness in the change of circumstances, additional financial support would be greatly appreciated to help cover the memorial, burial, and other related costs. Any amount contributed is greatly appreciated.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-nick-simmons-life-and-legacy?lang=en_US&ts=1766857540

Additionally, you can also help us preserve Nick’s legacy by submitting photos, videos, and memories under the “Memories” tab here: https://everloved.com/life-of/nicholas-simmons/

To ensure you receive information about Nick's memorial and any future ways to help us keep Nick’s memory alive, you can confirm your contact information here: https://forms.gle/gerKghe1bXQjSFqd8

Thank you with all our hearts for your help in giving Nick and his family some solace during this incredibly difficult time.

Address

3113 View Road
Madison, WI
53711

Telephone

+16082239571

Website

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