McCombs Community Invited to July 5 ZACH Theatre Production of ‘The Lehman Trilogy’

Evening features preshow reception — Q&A with Finance Professor Ehud Ronn and ZACH Artistic Director Dave Steakley

Texas McCombs
2 min readJun 27, 2024
Left to right: Peter Frechette, Susan Lynskey, and Nick Lawson star in “The Lehman Trilogy,” a play that follows the story of the Lehman Brothers from their arrival in the U.S. in 1844 to the collapse of their family firm in 2008. The ZACH Theatre will host a performance of the play, with a preshow conversation featuring McCombs finance professor Ehud Ronn on Friday, July 5.

On Friday, July 5, ZACH Theatre will present a performance of “The Lehman Trilogy,” preceded by a reception and discussion featuring McCombs professor of finance Ehud Ronn and the ZACH’s producing artistic director, Dave Steakley. The conversation will focus on the economic and historical context of the play. Tickets are discounted 20% for members of the McCombs community.

Called a “genuinely epic production” by The New York Times, “The Lehman Trilogy” portrays the story of a company that shaped the world and the family who built it. The play features three actors who play members of multiple generations of the Lehman Brothers family and follows their story from their arrival as German immigrants to New York in 1844 to the dramatic collapse of the Lehman Brothers firm in 2008. It shows how the characters’ personal narratives are intertwined with the broader story of the global financial crisis.

Ronn and Steakley’s preshow discussion will offer deeper context about the Lehman Brothers and their impact on the U.S. economy.

Ehud Ronn is a professor of finance at the McCombs School of Business who specializes in researching investments, interest rate instruments, and energy derivatives. His conversation with the ZACH Theatre’s producing artistic director, Dave Steakley, will highlight “The Lehman Trilogy’s” economic themes.

“Beyond the family’s journey, their story highlights several themes, including the contributions of the finance industry to society, the principles of proper corporate risk management, and the public’s perception of those working in the financial sector,” says Ronn.

The reception will take place at 6:15 p.m. in the lobby of the Topfer Theatre, and the discussion will take place from 6:50 to 7:20 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided, and drinks will be available for purchase. The play begins at 7:30 p.m.

“The Lehman Trilogy” is recommended for audiences over the age of 13 and has a runtime of 3 hours and 30 minutes (including one 15-minute intermission and one 10-minute intermission). McCombs faculty members, staff, students, and alumni can use the discount code “MCCOMBS” for 20% off seats outside of section D for the July 5 performance. See more details and ticket availability on the ZACH website. Read about the performance in the Austin American Statesman.

Story by Amanda Waxman

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