Burn This
Burn This | |
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Written by | Lanford Wilson |
Characters |
|
Place premiered | Theater 890, New York City |
Original language | English |
Genre | Drama |
Setting | Lower Manhattan |
Burn This (stylized as Burn/This for the 2019 revival) is a play by Lanford Wilson. Like much of Wilson's work, the play includes themes of gay identity and relationships.
Plot summary
The play begins shortly after the funeral of Robbie, a young, gay dancer who drowned in a boating accident with his lover Dom. In attendance were Robbie's roommates: his sensitive dance partner and
Production history
Burn This was commissioned by the Circle Repertory Company. The play opened Off-Broadway on February 19, 1987 at Theatre 890. Directed by Marshall W. Mason, the cast featured Jonathan Hogan, Joan Allen, John Malkovich, and Lou Liberatore. John Lee Beatty won the 1988 Henry Hewes Design Award for Scenic Design for this production.[2] The world premiere was produced by the Center Theatre Group at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles opening January 22, 1987, also directed by Mason.[3][4][5]
The play transferred to
The
The Sydney Theatre Company in Australia presented Burn This at the Wharf Theatre in 1990, starring Heather Mitchell and Richard Roxburgh.
The 2002 Signature Theatre Company revival directed by James Houghton at the Union Square Theatre opened on August 27 in previews, officially on September 19, and closed on December 29, 2002.[10] The cast featured Edward Norton, Catherine Keener, Ty Burrell, and Dallas Roberts. Norton won an Obie Award, and both he and the production received Lucille Lortel Award nominations.[11] Peter Sarsgaard replaced Norton, and Elisabeth Shue replaced Keener on November 20, 2002.[10][11][12]
A Broadway revival of Burn This was announced to begin in February 2017 and open on March 6, 2017 at the re-opened Hudson Theatre. Jake Gyllenhaal was to star, with direction by Michael Mayer.[13] On October 21, 2016, it was announced that the production was postponed until the 2017-18 season due to scheduling conflicts with Gyllenhaal.[14]
A revival opened on Broadway at the Hudson Theatre on March 15, 2019 in previews with the official opening on April 16. The cast featured Adam Driver as Pale, Keri Russell as Anna, David Furr as Burton and Brandon Uranowitz as Larry, with direction by Michael Mayer.[15][16][17] The production closed on July 14, 2019.[18]
Casts
Character | Los Angeles Premiere (1987) |
Off-Broadway / Broadway (1987) |
West End (1990) |
Off-Broadway Revival (2002) |
Broadway Revival (2019) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pale | John Malkovich | Edward Norton | Adam Driver | ||
Anna | Joan Allen | Juliet Stevenson | Catherine Keener | Keri Russell | |
Burton | Jonathan Hogan | Michael Simkins | Ty Burrell | David Furr | |
Larry | Lou Liberatore | Dallas Roberts | Brandon Uranowitz |
Notable replacements
- Pale: Paul Perri (1988), Eric Roberts (1988), Scott Glenn (1988), Peter Sarsgaard (2002)
- Anna: Lisa Emery (1988), Elisabeth Shue (2002)
- Larry: Lonny Price (1988)
Awards
Original Broadway Production
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1987 | Tony Award |
Best Actress in a Play | Joan Allen | Won |
Best Featured Actor in a Play | Lou Liberatore | Nominated | ||
Drama Desk Awards |
Outstanding Actor in a Play | John Malkovich | Nominated | |
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | Lou Liberatore | Nominated | ||
Theatre World Award | Eric Roberts | Won |
2019 Broadway Revival
Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Play | Nominated | |
Best Actor in a Play | Adam Driver | Nominated | ||
Best Featured Actor in a Play | Brandon Uranowitz | Nominated | ||
Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | Nominated | ||
Drama League Award | Outstanding Revival of a Broadway / Off-Broadway Play | Nominated | ||
Distinguished Performance | Adam Driver | Nominated |
References
- Garland Publishing, Inc.: New York, 1994, 131-149.
- Lortel Archives. Accessed September 3, 2015.
- ^ Gerard, Jeremy. "Limited Run for Wilson Play" The New York Times, January 9, 1987, p. C5.
- ^ ISBN 0838635482, pp. 28-29.
- ISBN 0374521581, p. 102.
- ^ Rich, Frank. "The Dancer Upstairs" The New York Times, October 15, 1987.
- ^ "Burn This (Broadway, Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, 1987)" Playbill. Accessed June 10, 2022.
- ^ "'Burn This' listing 1987, Replacement" Internet Broadway Database, Accessed September 3, 2015.
- ^ "'Burn This' To Close" The New York Times, October 27, 1988.
- ^ a b Weinstein, Jerry and Lohrey, David. "Review. 'Burn This' 2002" CurtainUp, September 15 and December 15, 2002.
- ^ Lortel Archives. Accessed September 3, 2015.
- Simonson, Robert. "Burn This Re-Ignites With Shue and Sarsgaard Nov. 20" Playbill, November 20, 2002
- ^ Henry, Alan. "'Breaking: Jake Gyllenhaal Will Return to Broadway in 'Burn This' at The Hudson Theatre" BroadwayWorld.com, July 19, 2016
- ^ "Broadway Revival of Lanford Wilson's 'Burn This' Postponed Until 2017-18 Season" BroadwayWorld.com, October 21, 2016
- ^ Cox, Gordon (December 14, 2017). "Adam Driver to Star in 'Burn This' on Broadway". Variety. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
- ^ Clement, Olivia. "Brandon Uranowitz and David Furr Join Burn This on Broadway at the Hudson Theatre" Playbill, November 27, 2018
- ^ Clement, Olivia. " Burn This, Starring Keri Russell and Adam Driver, Begins on Broadway" Playbill, March 15, 2019
- ^ Clement, Olivia. " Burn This Closes on Broadway July 14" Playbill, July 14, 2019
External links
- Internet Broadway Database listing
- Lortel Archives listing
- Lanford Wilson Collection at the University of Missouri Libraries