Billed as “an Internet sex comedy for the Recession Generation,” If You Start a Fire [Be Prepared to Burn] is the latest offering by The New Theatre Project, written by the promising young playwright Kevin Kautzman and directed by Nati Salgado. This two-person comedy explores issues unique to the 21st Century, with themes as old as the Greek story of Pandora’s Box.
In this modern mytholgy, the stars are a fairly typical young couple. Chris, played by Peter Giessl (The American Crowbar Case), is a bright, literate young man who has dropped out of college to drive a truck, all in pursuit of the newest American dream – a job with health insurance. His beloved Lucy, played by Elise Randall (The Everyman Project), is working on an MBA while waiting tables. Their dream to someday get a bit of what everyone wants – a home, security, a bright future – takes a dive when Chris loses his job.
As they discuss their limited options, Chris hits on a solution. Proclaiming that there is “freedom in hopelessness,” he lays out a plan to launch a boutique sex website, starring Lucy, of course, as the irresistable "girl next door." Lucy objects – she isn’t a prostitute. But Chris exonerates her in an amusing dialectic in which he argues that they are not selling actual sex, but rather, “the idea of sex.” When Lucy turns the tables, and requires Chris to do his share of the “selling” he is mortified. But who can walk away from such a lucrative business model?
Ultimately, If You Start a Fire [Be Prepared to Burn] is a clever look at an intriguing question: what becomes of intimacy in a world where human relationships are increasingly defined in the virtual, digital space? If we become comfortable speaking through the protective barrier of the computer screen, can we ever go back to the vulnerability of face-to-face interaction?
The Giessl / Randall combination cooks up some convincing chemistry as they treat the audience to a sexy romp through Kautzman’s clever banter and thought-provoking comedy.
Be sure to catch it while you can; Kautzman is taking this play to New York next, and wouldn’t you love to say you saw it here first?
If You Start a Fire [Be Prepared to Burn] runs through March 4, 2012 with performances on Fridays through Sundays at 8 p.m. The New Theatre Project is located at 130 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti at the Mix Studio Theater. Mix, a new and used clothing boutique, is open for business prior to all performances. Tickets are $15 and $10 for students/seniors/and industry. Tickets can be reserved by calling or texting The New Theatre Project box office at (734) 645-9776 or emailing tickets@thenewtheatreproject.org. TNTP now accepts credit cards.
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