David Rabe’s New Drama An Early History of Fire Begins Performances Off-Broadway

The world premiere of David Rabe’s new play An Early History of Fire begins previews on April 5 at the Acorn Theatre at off-Broadway’s Theatre Row. Directed by Jo Bonney, the New Group production stars Theo Stockman as Danny, Claire van der Boom as Karen and Gordon Clapp as Pop. An Early History of Fire officially opens on April 30 and will play a limited engagement through May 26.

Set in the early 1960s, An Early History of Fire is the story of Danny (Stockman), a young man who lives in a small Midwestern town. When Karen (van der Boom) returns home from college in the east, Danny is thrust into an alluring and unsettling new world. While Danny’s father (Clapp) clings to his only son, Danny struggles to find his own identity. In addition to Stockman, van der Boom and Clapp, An Early History of Fire features Deema Aitken as Fritz, Erin Darke as Shirley, Jonny Orsini as Terry, Devin Ratray as Benji and Dennis Staroselsky as Jake.

The creative team of An Early History of Fire includes set designer Neil Patel, lighting designer Lap Chi Chu, costume designer Theresa Squire and sound designer Ken Travis.