Aidan Vanhoof

Aidan Vanhoof, Staff Writer

March 25, 2026

Karl Marx came to Rowan in “Marx in Soho” by historian Howard Zinn, a one-man play that revives Marx to confront modernity. 

It occurred on Mar. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in King Auditorium, Bozorth Hall, and continued until about 8:00 p.m., premised on one question: If Karl Marx were raised from the dead, what would he say? The play served as a monologue against the sins of the modern world, in defense of Marx, and against Marxism’s various misinterpretations and abuses. 

“As someone actively involved in the organizing space, a lot of the criticism that organizers get is like, ‘these ideas aren’t relevant anymore.’ I think that’s something we’re constantly trying to battle, so I think it helps to communicate why they’re still relevant,” said Yuval Saar, a senior sociology major. 

It wove heavy systemic and social commentary with a love story between Marx and his wife. The antagonist — Mikhail Bakunin, a 19th-century rival anarchist revolutionary, and the ever-present elite of the past and present. 

“The heart of the message is the humanizing elements about his personal life and his family, and his children. But there are those moments where I can bring out Elon Musk blowing up billion-dollar rockets or Zuckerberg,” said Bob Weick, the play’s actor. 

“Marx in Soho” is not a new play, nor is Bob Weick new to it. It was written by Howard Zinn in 1999. Bob Weick picked up the role in 2004. Since then, he’s been touring the world and updating the script to adapt to the modern age. Despite its age, Weick referenced I.C.E., tariffs, Artificial Intelligence, Trump, and so on.

“Howard gave me permission to make adjustments to the play based on current events,” said Weick. 

It was hosted by the Philosophy Club, Sociology and Anthropology Club, Rowan SJP, and Rowan Young Democratic Socialists of America. It had support from a coalition of various departments and student organizations, such as the Rowan Students for Justice in Palestine, Communication Studies, Political Science & Economics, Writing Arts, Theatre & Dance, and History. They managed to raise about $1150. 

“We didn’t run into anything with the university. We have a lot of autonomy as student groups. It was just a lot of emails to a lot of different departments,” said Saar. 

A Q&A session was held afterwards. While only about a third of the seats were filled, the reception was positive. 

“I like it, I thought it was very necessary for the times,” said Dylan Adair, a sophomore accounting major.

For comments/questions about this story, DM us on Instagram @thewhitatrowan or email Mackay55@rowan.edu