UCD professor directs bizarre love story

Lanford Wilsonās Burn This is a stirring, mature production about love and other uncertainties.

The story follows Anna, who is having difficulties dealing with the death of her roommate and dancing

Since this is a love story, the cast has to have a love-stricken look in its eyes, or the whole thing might as well be cheese. This experienced company was believable and at times made hearts of stone ache.

partner, Robbie. Anna is dating Burton, who grew up rich and now is a sci-fi screenwriter. Annaās other roommate, Larry, is an avidly gay advertising specialist who is quirky and oozing with clever wit.

Robbieās death interrupted the threesomeās lives. But the drunk, early-morning arrival of Robbieās brother, Pale, who came to pick up Robbieās few belongings makes things worse.
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The director Kathryn Maes, also the chairwoman of University of Colorado at Denverās Theater department, said the element of realism is why the play is special.

The audience doesnāt get a ćthey-live- happily-ever-afte r ending,ä she writes in her directorās notes.

Actor Chip Walton takes on an entirely new facade as the

Pale is the king of non-sequitur and has a strong resemblance to his late brother. Paleās irrationality intrigues Anna, and they end up in bed. The next morning, Anna learns that he is married and works as manager of a restaurant.

Weeks go by, and she doesnāt see him. Anna keeps herself busy, choreographing a dance and letting things unfold with Burton. Itās obvious that it feels wrong for her. But her life is jolted again when Pale  ÷ again drunk and irrational ÷ crashes her New Yearās party.

confusing Pale. He says many things that donāt make sense to the audience, but makes you believe they make perfect sense to him ÷ a common sign that love has cupidly placed butterflies in your stomach. His tears seem real and his emotions heartfelt.

A. Lee Massaro as Anna is also twisted by the lovebug. The emotional role keeps her sad for most of the play, but you feel that if she would resolve her internal conflict and go with gut feeling, she would be happy. She plays the role

beautifully.

Richard Nelson as Burton plays a less complicated character than his last role as Louis in the immaculate production of Tony Kushnerās Angels in America ÷ but does it nicely. He plays ignorant, and is clueless about Pale until the end. He plays his radical anti-Reagan homosexual character amazingly.

Jeremy Cole plays Larry. His quirky wit and line delivery quickly win the audience over and add much-needed humor in certain situations.

Wilson is an accomplished playwright, evident in his realistic dialogue. Pale and Anna, who are  having a hard time admitting their love for each other, are at a loss for words in each otherās arms.

ćIām gonna cry all over your hair,ä

Pale says, and the play ends, leaving the audience up in the air concerned with much unfinished business.

 

 

Burn This plays at the Acoma Center, 1080 Acoma St., through Sept. 13.

Tickets are $15, $13 for seniors and students. For information call 623-0524.

 

 

÷ by Ricardo Baca

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