Événement

Praxis Stage presents The Arsonists

What would make you hand over a book of matches to someone whom you have the creeping suspicion would turn your home to ashes?

Max Frisch's equally uproarious and urgent absurdist play The Arsonists builds to just such a moment.

Written in 1958 and previously translated as The Firebugs or The Fire Raisers, the play depicts the goings-on within businessman Mr. Biedermann's home in a town that is facing a spate of arson attacks on its homes and businesses. The arsonists have an M.O. that seems to be working again and again: They present themselves mildly to the homeowners, typically as door-to-door salesman, and through a combination of charm, flattery, and intimidation they secure a perch within their attic and begin calmly stockpiling the supplies needed for a good blaze. Townsfolk, aware of the peril all around, use facile notions of fate to somehow cling to the certainty that these fires affect only their neighbors whilst they remain safe within the security of their own four walls.

The Arsonists is
A parable about the dangers of willful ignorance?
Maybe.
A parable about the pending environmental catastrophe?
Sure, why not?
A parable about potential leaders who promise that a vote for them will guarantee you never have to trouble with voting again?
A lot of the best people are saying so...
A parable about the illusion of personal comfort and safety, and its lures, within a society crumbling, and a population suffering just outside your comfort zone?
If that's what you're into.
Or just a good night out watching some actors and clowns do some bizarre and funny shit?
You choose.

Praxis Stage has a assembled a dynamite cast, a blazing creative team, and a director who is pure fire, to mount this timely play in the black box theater at Chelsea Theatre Works from September 5th through the 15th -- just 8 performances, so come see us play with fire.

--And be sure to come early for the cabaret atmosphere of live music and an MC with stories to tell before curtain --

Praxis Stage Presents The Arsonists by Max Frisch, translated by Alistair Beaton

Directed by Bob Scanlan
Stage Management: Maggie Caradonna and Adian Speth
House Management: Miguel Dominguez
Costumes Design: Maureen Festa
Lighting Design: Kevin Fulton
Sound Design: Mackenzie Adamick
Poster Design by Evan Turissini
Produced by Praxis Stage

Cast:
Gotlieb Biedermann: Kim H. Carrell*
Babette: Julia Trueblood
Eisenring: Zair Silva
Schmitz: Daniel Boudreau
Anna: Stephanie Charlton
The Policeman/Professor: Michael Anderson
The Chorus: Alison Butts, Abby Duell, Jean Dany Joachim, Gabriel Pagan, Jessica Newman
*Member of Actors Equity Association

The Band:
Guitar and Music Director: David Kurimsky
Vocals/Arrangements: Miss Mary Mac
Guitar: Malachi Connolly
Percussion and Backing Vocals: Benedict Dawn-Cross

Productions Booklet/Program, and Pre Show MC: Michael Anderson