A roommate and his lover, Dominic, are killed in a freak boating accident in the bay off of Manhattan. His two roommates are in mourning. Anna (Jessica John), a choreographer, was his dance partner at times. Larry, a gay advertising designer, was a close friend. The latest Lanford Wilson play to hit San Diego, Burn This, graces the stage at Cygnet Theater. Set in a two-level loft in a Manhattan warehouse, the apartment is graced with unpainted drywall and a modest attempt at a kitchen. Wilson's script quickly gets into the conflicted feelings of Anna and Larry over the death of their friend and the reaction of the out-of-town relatives who may or may not know that he is gay.
Director Kristianne Kurner, managing director of New Village Arts, has cast with brilliance and made the two and a half hour play seem much shorter, yet she uses looks, pauses, and movements to express much of the emotion of the play, enhancing Wilson's well-chosen words. Each character is extremely well defined.
The show opens with Anna smoking a cigarette on the window ledge, deep in reflection of the past. We see, throughout the play, Ms. John move through Anna's array of emotions flawlessly, from the loss of a dear friend to a love life that defies an easy explanation. Her friendship for Burton, played by Manny Fernandes, is growing. Then Pale (Jeffrey Jones) enters the mix, and easy decisions become nearly impossible to handle.
David McBean's Larry is a flaming, over-the-top queen but only when he has an audience. He is a pure delight to observe. His role is the bringer of sanity to Anna's chaotic life. He produces well modulated highs and lows, giving his character a charming believability. Manny Fernandes, as Burton, a scion of wealth, a successful screenwriter, and amour of Anna plays a man that seems to win at whatever he does. His quest, among others, is to wed Anna. He is one of the more sympathetic characters, weaving his somewhat normal life into the lives of Anna and Larry. Finally, in the wee morning hours, Pale (Jeffrey Jones), also known as Jimmy, brother of the deceased and manager of a tony New Jersey restaurant, brings a new texture to the story. Jones explodes on to the set in a virtual monologue of pure kinetic energy. One expects him to have a heart attack at any second. The broad stage barely contains his histrionics.
As in other Lanford plays, there is a culture clash. In Burn This personality clashes also strongly influence the finale. Can macho Pale ever understand his gay brother? Will Burton ever understand what motivates Anna? Will a good fight resolve an issue? Can a man cry?
Director Kurner used Eric Lotze's lighting design as an important dramatic element in telling the story. Set designer Sean Murray provides a nicely tacky, under-furnished, roomy loft. Kenny Lewis' sound design bridges the events comfortably. Costumer Shelly Williams gives Jessica John a large variety of wardrobe, from casual to elegant to sleepwear.
Burn This will make you laugh and involve you deeply in the passions and conflicts addressed by this excellent cast, and you will be drawn into their lives completely.
