Max Frischs lead-handed morality play has a complacent hair-tonic exec help a trio of arsonists burn down his own home. How can this possibly happen? you ask. Well, recall that the play was written in 53, shortly after the Swiss writer (1911-1991) had watched madness engulf Europe. In blunt response, The Firebugs is a Brechter-than-Brecht parable of gullibility, appeasement, and denial. Its not that Gottfried Biedermann doesnt know what arson is or doesnt worry about it; its just that this haute bourgeois figure believes he can control such chaos by being kind to dangerous rabble. As Gottfried, Robert Hinds has an engaging command that anchors a cast of mixed abilities. Aspects of the play feel dated (particularly a chorus of earnest firemen), but the rest of The Firebugs is studded with sarcasm so sharp as to awaken a slumbering citizenry. When perfidy is laid out so plain to see, dont be afraid to be afraid. (8 p.m. Thurs., Fri., Mon., 6:30 p.m. Sun., plus 8 p.m. Sat., March 26. Ends March 26.) MARGARET FRIEDMAN [See Margaret’s full review.]
Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 6:30 p.m.; Sat., March 26, 8 p.m. Starts: March 10. Continues through March 26, 2011
