Preview of 'The Art of Burning' at Hartford Stage

WORLD PREMIERE PLAY COMES TO HARTFORD

The production is helmed by Hartford Stage Artistic Director Melia Benssusen

Hartford - Hartford Stage Artistic Director Melia Bensussen announced today the cast for their upcoming production The Art of Burning. This inspired new comedy by award-winning playwright Kate Snodgrass explores the love, rage, and responsibility that go with marriage and parenting in America. The Art of Burning will run March 2-26 at the Tony Award-winning theatre at 50 Church Street in downtown Hartford, CT.

Mid-negotiation, modernist painter Patricia changes the terms of her ‘conscious uncoupling’ with Jason. She wants full custody of their 15-year-old daughter Beth. Jason demands that their daughter decide, but mysteriously Beth didn’t show up for school. Has Patricia hidden her away to protect her, or is there something more sinister afoot?

The Art of Burning pairs Kate Snodgrass, the highly regarded Boston playwright and leader of Boston Playwrights’ Theatre for 35 years, with director Melia Bensussen. These two acclaimed artists first worked together on an earlier version of this Greek-inspired play at The Huntington’s Summer Workshops in 2019.

“Kate’s play takes us on a wild ride subverting our expectations about what women should do and say, and how we listen to them,” says Bensussen. “A play to argue about long after you’ve seen it.”

The Art of Burning features Rom Barkhordar, Clio Contogenis, Vivia Font, Michael Kaye, Adrianne Krstansky, and Laura Latreille.

The creative team includes Director Melia Benssusen, Scenic Designer Luciana Stecconi, Costume Designer Kara Harmon, Lighting Designer Aja M. Jackson, Sound Designer Jane Shaw, Wig Designer J. Jared Janas and Fight Director/Intimacy Coordinator Ted Hewlett. Kelly Hardy is stage manager with Emily Pathman acting as assistant stage manager.

The Art of Burning is a co-production with Huntington Theatre Company.

The Art of Burning will run Thursday, March 2 through Sunday, March 26, 2023. Tuesday through Thursday evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 8:00 p.m.; and Saturday, Sunday and select Wednesday Matinees begin at 2:00 p.m..
Tickets for The Art of Burning start at $30. Discounts are available for students and groups. Tickets can be purchased by visiting HartfordStage.org calling (860) 527-5151, or visiting the Hartford Stage Box Office at 50 Church Street.

A mask-required performance will be on Saturday, March 18 at 2:00 p.m.; an open-captioned performance will be Sunday, March 19 at 2:00 p.m., and and an audio-described performance will be Saturday, March 25 at 2:00 p.m. Post-show conversations will take place on March 12, 21, and 22, 2023.

Rom Barkhordar, Vivia Font, and Adrianne Krstansky in The Art of Burning. Photo by T Charles Erickson.

Up-to-date details of COVID-19 safety measures can be found at hartfordstage.org/covid-19.

Production support for The Art of Burning is made possible by Rick and Beth Costello. Major support for Hartford Stage's 2022/2023 Season is provided by Stanley Black & Decker and The Richard P. Garmany Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.