Huntington Presents "Burn This"

The Huntington Theatre Company will present Lanford Wilson's searing drama, "Burn This" from Nov. 12 through Dec. 12. The play, updated by the author for a successful 2002 run in New York, centers on the aftershocks of a dancer's tragic death, and the emotional turmoil it inflicts on his friends and family.

The Huntington's production includes a mix of new-to-Boston and returning faces. Directed by Susan Fenichell, the "Burn This" cast will include Nat DeWolf (from the Huntington's "Betty's Summer Vacation") as Larry, Brian Hutchison as Burton, Anne Torsiglieri (from the Huntington's "Marty") as Anna, and film and television actor Michael T. Weiss as Pale.

The Huntington's Nicholas Martin commented, "With this spectacular cast, Susan at the helm, and Lanford's fresh revisions to the play, I expect our production of 'Burn This' will be a highlight of the season."

Set in New York City, "Burn This" centers on Anna, a dancer-turned-choreographer, whose roommate and dance partner, Robbie, has been killed during a boating excursion. The death sets off Lanford Wilson's drama about loss, passion, and betrayal. Anna's roommate Larry, and her boyfriend, Burton, share her grief for Robbie, but it is the explosive, volatile grief of Robbie's older brother, Pale, that illuminates the real tragedy of this untimely death.

With such works as "The Hot L Baltimore," "Balm in Gilead," "Talley's Folly," "Fifth of July" and "Talley and Son" to his credit, Wilson co-founded the Circle Repertory Company in 1969.

It was at the Circle Rep that Wilson's playwriting matured. He translated and produced a new version of Chekov's "Three Women." And he came to be known as the creator of "lyric realism," a theatrical style that finds poetry in the everyday prosaic world.

Despite the apolitical quality of Wilson's work, he is widely regarded as a vanguard gay playwright. Three of his best-known works - "Lemon Sky," "Fifth of July" and "Burn This" - explore homosexuality and its impact on families.

Wilson prides himself on the authenticity of his dialogue, declaring, "I write what's in the air." His plays have always touched audiences and critics alike, confronting them with the jagged edges and comic possibilities of daily existence.

He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize (for "Talley's Folly"), Guggenheim and Rockefeller Fellowships, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, the Obie Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award.

The Huntington will also continue its popular series of Club Nights, designed for theatregoers aged 35 and under and for members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities. These special Huntington-sponsored nights provide an opportunity to mingle with fellow theatregoers and participating members of the artistic team or cast at a pre- or post- show reception (free with purchase of tickets).

NIGHT CLUB for theatregoers 35 and under
Thursday, November 18
After 7:30 P.M. performance

OUT & ABOUT CLUB
for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities
Wednesday, December 1
7:30 P.M. performance, with a pre-show reception at 6 P.M.

MASTER CLASS
Learn more about theatre - what's onstage and what's happening behind the scenes - with this exciting interactive program. 6-7 P.M., Tuesday, Dec. 7.

SNEAK PREVIEW
See a presentation by a member of the Huntington's artistic staff, featuring contextual background, as well as production-related information. Tuesday, November 16, 6:30-7 P.M. in the theatre.

HUMANITIES FORUMS
There will be a Humanities Forum on Sunday, November 28, following the 2 P.M. matinee. Humanities Forums are free and open to the public.

ACTORS FORUMS
Members of the "Burn This" cast will appear after the show to answer questions from the audience. Thursday, November 23, following the 7:30 P.M. performance, and on Wednesday, December 8, after the 2 P.M. matinee.

For tickets and further information, call 617-266-0800, log on to www.huntingtontheatre.org or visit the Huntington Theatre Company Box Office at 264 Huntington Avenue in Boston.

			"Burn This"At Huntington The Huntington Theatre Company will present Lanford Wilson's searing drama, "Burn This" from Nov. 12 through Dec. 12. The play, updated by the author for a successful 2002 run in New York, centers on the aftershocks of a dancer's tragic death, and the emotional turmoil it inflicts on his friends and family. The Huntington's production includes a mix of new-to-Boston and returning faces. Directed by Susan Fenichell, the "Burn This" cast will include Nat DeWolf (from the Huntington's "Betty's Summer Vacation") as Larry, Brian Hutchison as Burton, Anne Torsiglieri (from the Huntington's "Marty") as Anna, and film and television actor Michael T. Weiss as Pale. The Huntington's Nicholas Martin commented, "With this spectacular cast, Susan at the helm, and Lanford's fresh revisions to the play, I expect our production of 'Burn This' will be a highlight of the season." Set in New York City, "Burn This" centers on Anna, a dancer-turned-choreographer, whose roommate and dance partner, Robbie, has been killed during a boating excursion. The death sets off Lanford Wilson's drama about loss, passion, and betrayal. Anna's roommate Larry, and her boyfriend, Burton, share her grief for Robbie, but it is the explosive, volatile grief of Robbie's older brother, Pale, that illuminates the real tragedy of this untimely death. With such works as "The Hot L Baltimore," "Balm in Gilead," "Talley's Folly," "Fifth of July" and "Talley and Son" to his credit, Wilson co-founded the Circle Repertory Company in 1969. It was at the Circle Rep that Wilson's playwriting matured. He translated and produced a new version of Chekov's "Three Women." And he came to be known as the creator of "lyric realism," a theatrical style that finds poetry in the everyday prosaic world. Despite the apolitical quality of Wilson's work, he is widely regarded as a vanguard gay playwright. Three of his best-known works - "Lemon Sky," "Fifth of July" and "Burn This" - explore homosexuality and its impact on families. Wilson prides himself on the authenticity of his dialogue, declaring, "I write what's in the air." His plays have always touched audiences and critics alike, confronting them with the jagged edges and comic possibilities of daily existence. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize (for "Talley's Folly"), Guggenheim and Rockefeller Fellowships, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, the Obie Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award. The Huntington will also continue its popular series of Club Nights, designed for theatregoers aged 35 and under and for members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities. These special Huntington-sponsored nights provide an opportunity to mingle with fellow theatregoers and participating members of the artistic team or cast at a pre- or post- show reception (free with purchase of tickets). NIGHT CLUB for theatregoers 35 and under Thursday, November 18 After 7:30 P.M. performance OUT & ABOUT CLUB for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities Wednesday, December 1 7:30 P.M. performance, with a pre-show reception at 6 P.M. MASTER CLASS Learn more about theatre - what's onstage and what's happening behind the scenes - with this exciting interactive program. 6-7 P.M., Tuesday, Dec. 7. SNEAK PREVIEW See a presentation by a member of the Huntington's artistic staff, featuring contextual background, as well as production-related information. Tuesday, November 16, 6:30-7 P.M. in the theatre. HUMANITIES FORUMS There will be a Humanities Forum on Sunday, November 28, following the 2 P.M. matinee. Humanities Forums are free and open to the public. ACTORS FORUMS Members of the "Burn This" cast will appear after the show to answer questions from the audience. Thursday, November 23, following the 7:30 P.M. performance, and on Wednesday, December 8, after the 2 P.M. matinee. For tickets and further information, call 617-266-0800, log on to www.huntingtontheatre.org or visit the Huntington Theatre Company Box Office at 264 Huntington Avenue in Boston. -- OnStage Boston 11/04/04

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