The Dream of the Burning Boy at Profiles Theatre
★★☆☆☆
Profiles Theatre. By David West Read.
Dir. Joe Jahraus. With ensemble
cast. 1hr 40mins; no intermission.
The sudden death of a well-liked high-
school student weighs heavily on
those left behind. His sister (Alaina
Stacey) lashes out in her confusion. His
girlfriend (Marilyn Bass, decked out in
full Taylor Swiftian grandeur) and his
best friend (Joel Collins) show a
suspicious new interest in one another.
And a lit teacher (Darrell W. Cox)
thinks he’s hidden his special degree of
interest in the deceased teen.
David West Read’s 2011 work presents convincing, clashing portraits of grief, even as it relies on soap-operatic twists to surpass a PSA level of gravitas. Read provides a reason for Mr. Morrow’s favoritism toward the lost kid (who’s nicely played by Vic Kuligoski in a pair of scenes). What neither the playwright nor director Joe Jahraus supply is an explanation for the script’s woefully contracted universe. Why do we spend three extended moments with a bumbling guidance counselor (Eric Burgher, displaying his usual full-on charm but not justifying his character’s prominence) yet never meet another of Dane’s teachers? Read’s school play is tied up a bit too tidily.
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