Penned by John Robin Baitz, multiple award winner and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE premiered off-Broadway in 1991 before being transferred to Lincoln Center in 1992. In 1996, the play was adapted for film starring Lee Grant and Timothy Hutton. Over the years, actors like Ron Rifkin, Patrick Breen, Jon Tenney, Sarah Jessica Parker and Gena Rowlands have performed key roles. Director Mike Reilly eagerly helms the current 2024 production at the Ruskin Group Theatre: “Characterized by intelligence, wit, and emotional depth, John Robin Baitz’s play is timeless in its exploration of corporate and family dynamics, as well as personal identity…what better opportunity for a director, than to work on a well-written play with brilliant players like the great Rob Morrow and Marcia Cross?”
Barret T. Lewis, Fiona Dorn, and Rob Morrow – Photo by Alex Neher
Isaac Geldhart (Rob Morrow) is a Holocaust survivor. Even though he arrived in New York City many years ago as a penniless orphan, he created a new identity as a keen intellectual and bon vivant who built a thriving publishing empire focused on authors passionate about their work and not its best-seller potential. Sad to say, his philosophy may not be holding up in the current economic climate; and he is facing a possible takeover by a Japanese corporation. Despite his financial woes, Isaac plans to publish a six-volume work on Nazi medical experiments rather than a manuscript with all the hallmarks of becoming a huge financial success. Enter Isaac’s adult children, Aaron (Emmitt Butler), Sarah (Fiona Dorn), and Martin (Barret T. Lewis), who are large stockholders in dad’s firm. As it turns out, they opt for solvency and pool their shares in the company to get the majority vote – and soon Isaac finds himself ousted with lots of time on his hands. When social worker Marge Hackett (Marcia Cross) comes to interview him for mental competence, the fur will fly.
Rob Morrow and Emmitt Butler – Photo by Alex Neher
Mike Reilly helms the piece with compassion, wit, and poignant attention to detail. The cast do an excellent job of creating characters who are torn in their approach to the obvious issues raised by THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE. There are many layers of family love, trust, and anger exposed as Isaac tries to understand and accept the route his children have chosen – and his own role in their decision. Kudos to Morrow and Cross for their splendid work defining the approach/avoidance issues which have defined their character’s lives. A bit of theater trivia: Many years ago, Morrow played the role of one of his sons!
Rob Morrow and Marcia Cross – Photo by Alex Neher
THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE is not an easy play to describe, given that it is filled with corporate and family dynamics, personal identity issues associated with growing older and finding that time is moving too sluggishly, and the complexities of taking care of oneself. Despite this complexity, this is a fulfilling and thought-provoking play which asks more questions than it answers. THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE will appeal to audiences fascinated by family dynamics, individual values, ethical and moral dilemmas, getting older, identity issues, and the many factors which make us who we are.
THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE poster – Photo by Alex Neher
THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE runs through September 1, 2024, with performances at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. The Ruskin Group Theatre is located at 3000 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 900405. Tickets range from $25 to $40 (groups of 10 or more $28). For information and reservations, call 310-397-3244 or go online.
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