Smoldering Fires at First Stage

How many times do you get the chance to catch the WORLD PREMIERE of a play written by a nationally-renowned playwright?!  Exactly.  Well, my niece Hannah and I had the honor of attending the opening night performance of First Stage Children's Theater's production of Kermit Frazier's Smoldering Fires, which I reviewed for OnMilwaukee.com.  The show is recommended for viewers ages 10 and up, and yet some people felt free to bring their infant-toddlers who provided constant distractions throughout the evening (NOTE: GET A SITTER).  Nevertheless, the play asked the question, "Are Dr. King's methods and ideals relevant today" and, due to a wise choice on Frazier's part, there are no easy answers.  The "Freedom" cast did an excellent job of portraying the all-pervasive violence and poverty that plague our society today and what we can (or can't) do about it.  Milwaukee Mask and Puppet Theatre added an interesting dimension to the production with their "larger-than-life" figures that hovered in children's nightmares and almost comically attempted to maintain order after disaster struck in the community.  Afterwards, the ensemble held a brief ceremony, honoring Rep. Gwen Moore and Dr. James Cameron ( America's only living survivor of a lynching and founder of America's Black Holocaust Museum) for their social activism.  Not bad for a Friday night. 

Comments

[Jay]

This sounds like a great night. I guess I always thought of Milwaukee as a little milquetoast...I'm impressed. I've never been to your city, but that may have to change.

[C]

I was in the Freedom Cast of Smoldering Fires and very honored to be a part of such an influential production. I have been a devout First Stage season-goer for many years and encourage you to come to Milwaukee and see one of their shows. They are always so amazing.