Frank Burnette Productions

PRESS RELEASE — BURN THIS by LANFORD WILSON

Burn This is a powerful, electrifying work by the playwright whom many regard as one of our theatre's finest living writers. In 1987 it was presented both in Los Angeles at the Mark Taper and on Broadway at the Plymouth Theater to critical and popular acclaim. The play probes deeply and with great dramatic and comic effect into the lives of its spectacular and memorable characters.
"Quite simply, Lanford Wilson's BURN THIS is superb writing transformed into brilliant theatre…" — Drama—Logue.
"BURN THIS is Lanford Wilson's masterpiece." — LA Herald Examiner.
"Broadway has finally gotten masterfully into its stride with a new American play—BURN THIS…" — NY Post.
"John Malkovich's entrance in Lanford Wilson's BURN THIS is probably the most sensational since the young Brando's in "A Streetcar Named Desire." — Newsweek.

THE STORY
The place is a Manhattan loft shared by Anna, a lithe young dancer-choreographer, and her two gay roommates—her collaborator, Robby, who has just been killed in a freak boating accident, and Larry, a world-weary, caustically funny young advertising executive. As the play begins Anna is recovering from attending Robby's funeral, comforted by her wealthy, well-meaning boyfriend, Burton, a sci-fi screenwriter whose persistent proposals of marriage Anna finds herself unable to accept. Then, with sudden, unexpected explosiveness, Robby's older brother, Pale, bursts on the scene. He has come to collect his brother's belongings—but stays on to transform the action of the play and the lives of those in it. Menacing, profane, dangerous and yet oddly sensitive, Pale is both terrifying and fascinating and, in the end, the one who brings to Anna the unsettling but compelling love that, despite her fears and doubts, she cannot turn away.

Those are the words of the publisher, Dramatists Play Service. These are the words of the producer:

The version of Burn This playing at the Vaudeville Mews 2\17 through 3\5 (show times below) does not have John Malkovich but we have Clint Curtis, who is made to play the role of Pale. Wilson has crafted dialogue that crackles with incredible pace and fiery metaphor that Curtis masters as the bombastic Pale invading the community and family of Anna and her two friends. Unabashed non sequiturs and brilliant word pictures were tailor made for Malkovich and they are as well for Curtis. Kourtney Horner is not only an accomplished actress but an experienced dancer, and ideally suited to play Anna. Wilson demands much of her, staying centered in the wake of Pale’s assault on her identity. Michael Hornaday will get your attention as Burton, the outrageously successful screenwriter but artistically starved screenwriter - no respect, just money (you’ll wonder how Anna keeps him at arms length), and Curt Peterson will enjoy keeping him “straight” as Larry, the gleeful foil to Pale (not sure about world weary , but definitely caustically funny). Frank Burnette and his company produce, and will also direct (his first effort - worry not, Clint is assisting and he knows what he is doing). If you have not been to the MEWS, 212 Fourth Street, Downtown, you do not know there is another star of this show. The Mews itself, particularly for this play. The Manhattan Loft referred to above is the Mews. Its 18 foot tin ceiling and walls dating from 1880 give the producer and director a magnificent set by itself, adding only props. The worst seat at the Mews is better than the best you will find else where in Des Moines Theater. Plus we have a 30 foot bar. If you can see this play and conclude theatre is dead, you weren’t paying attention.

The show opens Friday, 2\17, followed by evening shows Saturday and a Sunday matinee the first week. The second and third weeks are Thursday through Saturday nights, and Sunday mats. All night shows are curtain 7 p.m. and matinees are 2 p.m. curtain. Tickets are $15.00 at the door, $12.00 in advance on IowaTix.Com. Visit the Vaudeville Mews Web site.