"This is about the end of the world.", casually remarks the Greek God Prometheus early on in Aaron Michael Zook's We Are Burning. "No last minute reprieve."
The rebel who defied Zeus by bringing the knowledge of fire to mankind, now hangs out in a neighborhood coffee bar, serving up the occasional cappuccino to locals. Inspired by both Aeschylus's play Prometheus Bound and the author's experiences during the 1998 Florida wildfires, We Are Burning puts us in a city slowly being consumed by fire.
Instead of seeking safety, the play's two human characters, called "man" and "woman", go about their normal lives, which for them includes philosophical discussions comparing need and loss, arguing about the strength of their relationship and sharing their disappointment that the cafe now serves prepared sandwiches instead of fresh ones.
Perhaps Zook has some absurdest view of human folly in mind, but his intentions are never clear. Perhaps they would be for audience members who can rattle off the details of the Prometheus legend off the tops of their heads, as the characters in the play are able to, but to others the reasons why Hermes, Oceanus, Io and Bellerophon pop in and out can be baffling.
But as a director, Zook keeps the play running swiftly with a talented cast that dives in head first. Greg Horton has a nicely understated hipster cool as Prometheus, which contrasts well with the broader comic shtick of Lorinne Lampert and Sarah Garvey-Potvin as his accompanying Greek chorus of two. Kris Bratton, as the man, has an easy-going charm when the play allows it and his counterpart Margaret Cross excels at the wry reaction.
Judging from his bio, Aaron Michael Zook may have the least amount of playwriting experience among those participating in this year's Fringe Festival. But although We Are Burning is best seen as a work in progress, there's a talented mind at work imaginatively developing an interesting idea.
