Welcome
INSIDE THE CAULDRON
Your exclusive journey into Anne Washburn’s The Burning Cauldron of Fiery Fire, featuring hidden gems from the play’s creation, backstage moments, creative discoveries, and surprises rarely shared beyond the rehearsal room.
A NOTE FROM THE PLAYWRIGHT
We caught up with Anne Washburn at rehearsal to ask her key questions about the play.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
“One of those rare plays that send the audience out into the world eager to talk about it.”
Laura Collins-Hughes, The New York Times
Originally commissioned by The Civilians, Burning Cauldron of Fiery Fire was selected for and the Ojai Playwrights Conference 2024.
THE BEGINNINGS
The Civilians then hosted the first workshop production of the show in the winter of 2024.
Performers:
Brittany K. Allen
Jeff Biehl
Brad Koed
Bruce McKenzie
Nadine Malouf
Bobby Moreno
Marianne Rendón
Sathya Sridharan
Playwright - Anne Washburn
Director - Steve Cosson
Casting - JZ Casting
Music Director – Adrien Pellerin
Asst. Director – Alexander Shaw
Co-Stage Managers - Aisling Galvin and Andrew Petrick
“Steve Cosson’s direction proves the ideal match for Washburn’s fever-dream imagination. And what a dream it is.”
Gregory Fletcher, Stage and Cinema
OLD FRIENDS & FAMILIAR COLLABORATORS
Anne Washburn and Steve Cosson first met in 2002 in the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab
Originally matched with different collaborators, Anne and Steve found themselves suddenly in need of new partners. What could have been a logistical hiccup turned into the beginning of a long and fruitful artistic relationship. The two quickly discovered a shared creative sensibility and laid the foundation for a decades-long collaboration.
Ten years later, in 2012, they reunited to bring Anne’s genre-defining Mr. Burns, a post-electric play to life. Since then, they’ve continued to develop new work together, premiering a number of productions and sustaining a close artistic partnership. Anne has also long served as an Artistic Associate of The Civilians.
“the kind of work that sticks to you and makes you jump in the middle of the night after you leave the theatre.”
Amelia Merrill, New York Theater Guide
First Rehearsal
We kicked off our first day with a meet-and-greet, bringing together collaborators from The Civilians and The Vineyard Theatre. With both teams in the room for the first time, the energy was high, and after some introductions and connection-building, we dove into our first read-through.
“When it comes to inscribing the American project with droll, knowing dread, the playwright Anne Washburn has no equal.”
Helen Shaw, The New Yorker
The music of the play is home grown, organic, and connected to the cultural roots of this “intentional community.”
THE MUSIC OF BURNING CAULDRON
ABOVE: The company rehearses one of the key songs of the play “An Ode To The Wrack and Ruin”
LEFT: Our Song and Vocal arranger, Nehemiah Luckett, discusses the world of the play with playwright, Anne Washburn, at one of our rehearsals.
We gathered with community members, creative collaborators, and longtime supporters to celebrate the debut of this play after years of development.
OPENING NIGHT
To craft the more fantastic elements of the play, we joined forces with Monkey Boys Productions.
BRINGING THE IMPOSSIBLE TO LIFE
They are a leading puppetry studio that have created pieces for Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show, Disney, HBO, and many more.
The play features two distinct puppet styles. The first puppets the audience sees are meant to feel homemade, charming, and simple. The second wave of puppets feel much more real, detailed, and foreboding.
The dragon puppet is so large it has to be operated in three separate pieces by multiple crew members backstage
“Beautiful and fascinating.”
Zachary Stewart, TheaterMania
Want to know more?
If you have specific questions and curiosities about the play, we’d love to answer! Send us your thoughts in the form below.