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An Early History of Fire Show Poster

An Early History of Fire Tickets

Set in the early 1960s in the Midwest, An Early History of Fire centers around Danny, a young man who is exposed to an alluring and unsettling new world when Karen comes back from college on the east coast. Danny struggles to break free from the grip of his immigrant father, who clings to his only son.

This show is closed.

Performances ended on May. 26, 2012.

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About An Early History of Fire on Broadway

dates
Previews: Apr 5, 2012 • Opening: Apr 30, 2012 • Closing: May 26, 2012
Off-Broadway Plays Drama

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Venue

Theatre Three at Theatre Row
410 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
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Hearing Assistance
This theater provides hearing assistance devices.
wheelchair access
Wheelchair Access
This theater is wheelchair accessible.
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Elevators and Escalators
Elevators provide access to all floors.
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Story

What Is the Story of An Early History of Fire?
Set in a medium-sized Midwestern town in the early 1960s, An Early History of Fire is the story of Danny, a twenty-something who lives in his childhood home with Pop, his German immigrant father. When Danny meets Karen, an affluent college student, at the bus stop, he discovers Catcher in the Rye, marijuana and a passion inside him that he never knew existed. As Danny struggles to discover himself and grapple with the repressed pain of his mother’s death, he pushes against the influence of his idealistic father, who keeps his only son on a tight leash. Ultimately, Danny must choose between a small-town life filled with familiar faces and a new world of unlimited possibilities.

Reviews

critics reviews Critics’ Reviews (2)
A collection of our favorite reviews from professional news sources.
Associated Press

"[An Early History of Fire] is an entertaining, accurate portrayal of a time when America was on the cusp of social upheaval."

Associated Press

Jennifer Farrar

The New York Times

"There’s a moment of stopped time, in which Ms. Darke’s character holds a spoon filled with peanut butter over a piece of bread while the others stare unblinkingly into the future, that beautifully captures both the age of the characters and of the country they belong to. Their glazed but rapturous expressions summon an eternal chapter of youth when, to borrow from a Stephen Sondheim lyric, everything is possible and nothing makes sense."

The New York Times

Ben Brantley

Cast & Creative

Cast

Theo Stockman
Danny
Claire van der Boom
Karen
Erin Darke
Shirley
Jon Orsini
Terry
Devin Ratray
Benji
Dennis Staroselsky
Jake

Creative

Written by
David Rabe
Director
Jo Bonney
Set Designer
Neil Patel
Lighting Designer
Lap Chi Chu
Costume Designer
Theresa Squire
Sound Designer
Ken Travis
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