A different kind of love story opens The Echo Theater Company’s 2014 season in its new home at Atwater Village Theatre. Chris Fields directs the world premiere of Firemen by Tommy Smith, opening Feb. 8

Set in rural Washington state during the first Iraq war, Firemen explores an unthinkable love relationship.

“Even though the love at the heart of this play seems to come from a misguided place, it’s the real thing,” says Smith. “It reminds me of a rare flower I read about that only grows in the middle of a lava flow. Right in the midst of all that danger and destruction is this beautiful flower that no one can get at.”

“I wanted to explore the personal home lives of Americans during the first Iraq war,” he explains. “The early ‘90s was a critical period in American history. There was a sudden shift in the way we treat one another. When it becomes okay to send a missile right through somebody’s front door, any line can be transgressed. People suddenly feel free to occupy others when their leader is occupying foreign lands.”

Smith’s plays frequently look at the fallout of personal relationships through a political lens. Playwright Craig Lucas, writing for the New York Theatre Review, declared, “[Tommy Smith] is writing in the shadow of our most daring and politically incendiary of martyred playwright saints.”

Firemen features L.A. theater regulars Rebecca Gray (Theatre of Note, The Actors’ Gang, Open Fist, City Garage, PRT, Ghost Road), Michael McColl (BOB: A Life In Five Acts for Echo, Fathers and Sons, American Book of the Dead, Flu Season for Circle X) and Amanda Saunders (Wirehead, God’s Ear for Echo), alongside newcomers Ian Bamberg (Mischief Night, Case #13) and Zach Callison (Fox’s Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader, Diary of a Single Mom). Scenic design is by Angel Herrera, lighting design is by Matt Richter, sound design is by Drew Dalzell and costume design is by Kathryn Poppen. Rebecca Eisenberg is production stage manager and produces with Chris Fields for The Echo Theater Company.

WHEN: 

Preview: Feb. 7
Performances: Feb. 8 – March 16
Fridays at 8 p.m.: Feb 7 (preview), 14, 21, 28; March 7, 14
Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Feb. 8 (Opening Night), 15, 22; March 1, 8, 15
Sundays at 7 p.m.: Feb. 9, 16, 23; March 2, 9, 16

WHERE:
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Atwater Village, CA 90039

FOR INFORMATION OR TO PURCHASE TICKETS:
310-307-3753 or www.EchoTheaterCompany.com

TICKET PRICE:
General admission: $25

PARKING:
FREE on-site