A MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

We are blessed to have lived when we have lived.  Had we lived, for instance, in England in the first half of the 17^th century rather than the first half of the 21st, we would have watched the rise of Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans, who felt that the theatre, during the current “times of humiliation” represented a “lascivious Mirth and Levity” and must be shut down. 

And so, shut down they were.  Theatres were destroyed, spectators were fined and actors were jailed.  The Puritans decided they alone knew what was moral, what was righteous, and they alone had the responsibility to silence those who would speak in any way that was injurious to ‘the state’.  And indeed, the only way the theatres were able to return to performing was by signing a letter agreeing that they had removed all such material from their productions.  In short, they were censored. 

People don’t look back with much fondness on Cromwell … and Puritanism has become synonymous with self-righteous buffoons.  I am so glad that we don’t live in the time of the Puritans. 

In celebration of that idea, we’re going to do some plays.  Some good plays.  Plays that challenge ideas.  Arcadia challenges the idea that a young woman could not have excelled at mathematics over 200 years ago.  Moonlight challenges the preconceived notion that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.  In Hymn, we meet two fine men who learn they are not alone in the world, and never have been.  And, finally, A Little Night Music challenges the idea that love at first sight is immature and must ultimately give way to a more practical arrangement.   

I hope you will join us.  These plays are good.  And they are smart.  And they will teach us something if we are lucky.  And if they create just a bit of ‘lascivious mirth and levity’, well, at least this week, no fines will be assessed!

-Jerome Davis/Artistic Director

Burning Coal Theatre Company

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