Only You Can Prevent Wildfires

See it if Troubled relationships and lack of support in rural Colorado. Human breakdown leads to disaster.

Don't see it if You are looking to be uplifted. This is a cautionary tale based on real events. The menace of the fire is well done.

See it if Want to see a complex weaving of storylines inspired by a real event. This is haunting, lyrical, touching, intriguing. I loved this.

Don't see it if Want story 2 wrap up tidily. A few people were confused, due to some magical realism, but it gets you thinking, no answers at end.

Also This show is so interesting and unique. All the actors are good, the projections and set are beautifully conceived, the direction is assured. My ONLY issue is that you are sitting on a hard bench for 1.5 hours. Bring a stadium cushion.

I will add that if you want a linear story, or are easily confused, this play may not be for you. The time shifts back and forth, and one character remains mysterious throughout. This is one of those shows that you have to just let wash over you.

SAw this at Teatro Circulo mid-October, 2017... Read more Read less

See it if you like plays on the inertia of unsatisfying relationships; you’d see an immersive set that creates holodeck-like environs from a black box

Don't see it if you're looking forward to a tightly woven mystery, new psychological insights, or a polished script

Also Nifty set—never sat in anything quite like it and it contributes a lot to the story. If this was a proscenium stage the show wouldn't have been nearly as engaging. Good direction and good cast. I particularly liked Drae Campbell as investigator, Kim Jones.

But this reminded me of too many other recent plays (the disquieted relationships of Fulfillment Center, the mirror couples of Breeders, the long-suffering but obtuse spouse of The Penitent, every criminal procedural w/ an upright detective in an estranged marriage). And I’m usually fine with non-linear plots but in Wildfires the piece-y structure disguises issues in the writing and pacing. When I line up the chronology of the parallel plots there are big holes in characters’ logic and it seems everyone is totally overreacting. The pacing builds tension but not in a way that warrants the shouty climax, and it all ends too abruptly. One of the points of the show is that “you can’t know,” but is that really satisfying?... Read more Read less

See it if it comes back! All 5 actors were ON & committed: No BS. Very intense at times, but real. Unconventional theater & staging worked perfectly.

Don't see it if "theater-in-the-round" bugs you. You're facing others, one-level/one-row seating, w/actors at your same level, like "Untold Yippie Project".

Also Exciting yet bittersweet to see closing night.

Being that it's based on a true story, we were totally immersed in all the personal background dialogue. Very absorbing. If we'd planned ahead and had seen it earlier, we'd no doubt have come back again before it closed.... Read more Read less

See it if Fantastic acting, great staging, wonderfully mysterious script of compelling characters affected by a huge wildfire in Colorado. A gem!

Don't see it if You prefer traditional theaters or might be uncomfortable sitting on a bench for 80 minutes. Even so, maybe bring a pillow - worth seeing!

See it if you like to see plays based on true stories (although the script is ambiguous); the staging is clever and the acting is good.

Don't see it if you are looking for something light and uplifting; or if you can't sit on a hard bench with no back support for 80 minutes.

Also The staging was clever and the acting was good - but the script was more about the relationships between two couples than about the mystery of the fire (which was left unsolved).

One character was dressed as Smoky the Bear which still puzzles me.

The issues about relationships, although intense, offered no new insights and dragged on too long for me - but maybe part of that was sitting too long on those hard benches (even with a pillow).

I saw this play at the Teatro Circulo theater in Oct 2017.... Read more Read less

See it if you like shows about interesting, complex female characters. Good acting.

Don't see it if You don't like small theaters. There are only 2 bathrooms and they are down a set of stairs to get to.

See it if You have an interest in this historic fire, want a different semi-immersive evening at the theater with good acting and a great setting.

Don't see it if If you don't lile being close to actors. No interations but you are right there inside the play.

See it if you're in for a serious play about the fates and consequences of emotionally driven people and actions. Acting is superb; story absorbin

Don't see it if you're looking for something light-hearted. Or a evolving narrative. You're in for a serious character and relationship study

See it if you like good staging and an interesting story.

Don't see it if you don't like true stories or are looking for something fast paced.

See it if you’re interested in how design & staging can support a play-script, enrich good performances, and engage an audience in a deep way.

Don't see it if You are annoyed by Theatre that is untraditional in its presentation or overly concerned about open flame onstage.

See it if You want to see a high quality, creatively staged and wonderfully acted piece. The actor who played Kim was stellar. Amazing projection use.

Don't see it if You don’t like intimate plays. You prefer musicals.

See it if you enjoy innovative character driven drama. The auditorium feels like a forest. Almost dance-like interactions express character's emotions

Don't see it if you dislike dramas.

See it if You like well acted theater in an interesting space with an interesting theme. This story gently rolls down the stream, slow and steady

Don't see it if You need a ton of action to get you through a play. Also sometimes the timeline of scenes is confusing as it jumps back and forth.

See it if you want an interesting journey into how one small action can affect something irrevocably. Excellent acting and very creative staging.

Don't see it if you don't like intimate settings. Seating is in a "camping area" right in front of the characters.

Also Note: Seating is on a wooden bench.
A bit uncomfortable, but it fits the piece well. This was a very creative staging using projection and lighting to move through the piece. I was completely engaged the entire time.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy challenging, non-linear and parallel plot lines to resolve mystery of real historical event and troubled relationships, clever set

Don't see it if Rapid layered dialog, flash backs and forwards, unresolved mystery, real fire, cigarettes, lesbians, 90 min. w/o interval, hard seat disturb

See it if Very good acting from the quartet playing humans. All fit enough for very athletic roles. Great use of projections. Superb set overall.

Don't see it if The masked bear role is a pretentious conceit, undercutting the play's realism. The long hardwood benches are a very tough sit.

Also 95% of audience in their twenties, so think noisy bar. Surprising layout forces fast choices. Audience members selecting the wrong wall will have a poor view of the projections. Fortunately, I chose correctly and derived more than those seated opposite me. 33% chance of picking the optimal wall; good luck. Actors set paper on fire twice. Always a chance of injuring themselves or setting a fire. Wood chips cover the entire floor, so this nuisance must be brushed aside to comfortably rest one's feet. Immersive theater, real uncomfortable for audience.... Read more Read less

See it if well acted true story; intimate well designed space

Don't see it if timeline jumped around a bit; end came too suddenly so not the best resolution

See it if Interesting script and extremely well-executed production (design, direction, and performance).

Don't see it if The script ultimately left me unsatisfied. Why did this story need to be told?