Old Globe's 'Bartleby' Offers Timely Workplace Critique

Fiasco Theater's adaptation of Herman Melville's classic tale explores the dehumanizing aspects of office jobs, both past and present.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Fiasco Theater's stage adaptation of Herman Melville's 1851 short story 'Bartleby, the Scrivener' premiered at The Old Globe in San Diego. The 80-minute play, co-written by Noah Brody and Paul L. Coffey, closely follows Melville's original story while adding new scenes to amplify the dehumanizing aspects of office work. Set in a 19th-century Wall Street law office, the play follows a clerk named Bartleby who refuses to comply with his boss's demands, leading to a tragic conclusion.

Why it matters

Melville's 'Bartleby' critiqued the repetitive and soul-crushing nature of office jobs in his era, and Fiasco Theater's adaptation shows how the story remains relevant today, as many workers communicate primarily through digital means and face the growing threat of automation and AI in the workplace.

The details

The play is staged in the round on a revolving set, allowing for a fluid and poignant production. The ensemble cast delivers strong performances, with Andy Grotelueschen as the seemingly kind but ultimately complicit boss, and Michael Crane as the enigmatic and disappearing Bartleby. The play also features comedic moments, including a scene about the monotonous task of proofreading legal documents.

  • The Old Globe production of 'Bartleby' premiered on February 27, 2026.
  • The play will run through March 22, 2026.

The players

Fiasco Theater

A New York-based ensemble theater company that was commissioned by The Old Globe to adapt Herman Melville's 'Bartleby, the Scrivener' for the stage.

Noah Brody

Co-writer of the stage adaptation of 'Bartleby' and a member of Fiasco Theater.

Paul L. Coffey

Co-writer of the stage adaptation of 'Bartleby' and a member of Fiasco Theater.

Andy Grotelueschen

The actor who portrays the boss, known as 'The Lawyer', in the production.

Michael Crane

The actor who portrays the title character, Bartleby, in the production.

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The takeaway

Fiasco Theater's production of 'Bartleby' serves as a timely and cautionary tale, highlighting the dehumanizing aspects of modern office work and the importance of empathy and compassion in the workplace, even as technology and automation continue to transform the nature of employment.