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The Burning Cauldron of Fiery Fire

Full-Length Play, Dark Comedy  /  3w, 5m

Anne Washburn

Anne Washburn’s dark comedy is a tender, funny, probing story about a death, a pageant, a rescue, a resurrection, pigs, and the act of saying grace.

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The Burning Cauldron of Fiery Fire

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

Somewhere in foggy Northern California, an intentional community tries to live off the land and keep an unsteady world at bay. But when one of their own dies unexpectedly, ideals are tested and faith in their independence is rocked. The Burning Cauldron of Fiery Fire is a tender, funny, probing story about a death, a pageant, a rescue, a resurrection, pigs, and the act of saying grace. The kids may not be all right.

History

The Burning Cauldron of Fiery Fire premiered off-Broadway at The Vineyard Theatre’s Dimson Theatre on 23 October 2025. Directed by Steve Cosson, the production featured Jeff Biehl, Bartley Booz, Cricket Brown, Donnetta Lavinia Grays, Bruce McKenzie, Bobby Moreno,Tom Pecinka and Marianne Rendón.

Keywords
Performing Groups

MILO – 6. Also: ADULT MILO, mid 30s; RUTH; SHORT WIZARD and CHORAL (5).
MARI – 20s or 30s. Also: LAUREL, 8; PAGE and CHORAL (1).
PETER – 20s or 30s. Also WILL, a few years older; ROBERT, 5; and CHORAL (8).
THOMAS – 50s or 60s. Also: MARA, 3; and CHORAL (7).
DIANA – 40s. Also: CRYSTAL, 9; KING and CHORAL (3).
GRACIE – 20s. Also: TANYA, 9; PRINCESS and CHORAL (6).
SIMON – 40s. Also: ROLF, 7; PAGEANT NARRATOR; HEN; MEGHAN and CHORAL (2).
GHAZAL – 20s. Also PAUL, 20s; ADAM, 7; PAGEANT PETER and CHORAL (4).

The play is cast with eight adult actors who play ten adults and eight children. (Some of those adult actors will play children acting the role of adults.)

The play is cast with eight adult actors who play ten adults and eight children. (Some of those adult actors will play children acting the role of adults.)

  • Time Period Present Day
  • Setting

    Somewhere in foggy Northern California.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Strong Language
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“[A] darkly enigmatic play… in which whimsy, horror and splendor exist side by side.” – The New York Times

“Intriguing… a fascinating exploration of individuals drawn to a certain kind of crunchy-granola ethos and to the idea of building a sustainable corner of the world for themselves.” – Culture Sauce

“A powerful story of why we tell stories… a puzzle box that expands at the speed of your own engagement… What makes Burning Cauldron different – and so rich – is the children, whose kings and princesses and dragons may represent their own desires as well as their observations of the adults in the commune.” – New York Theatre Guide

“Darkly enigmatic… tantalizing… building to a final third in which whimsy, horror and splendor exist side by side… It is one of those rare plays that send the audience out into the world eager to talk about it, and about what it all means: about society and its rot, mortality and rebirth – and, wait a second, what that big old padlock is doing on the door to the basement.” – The New York Times

Videos

  • Anne Washburn discusses The Burning Cauldron of Fiery Fire youtube thumbnail

    Anne Washburn discusses The Burning Cauldron of Fiery Fire

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Authors

Anne Washburn

Anne Washburn
Anne Washburn’s play's include Mr. Burns, 10 out of 12, Antlia Pneumatica, A Devil At Noon, Apparition, The Communist Dracula Pageant, I Have Loved Strangers, The Ladies, The Internationalist, The Small, Little Bunny Foo Foo and transadaptations of Euripides' Orestes and Iph ...
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