One year after exciting Fringe audiences with their haunting production of the Burgess classic, A Clockwork Orange, New Yorks Godlight Theatre is taking on Ray Bradburys terrifying book-burning tale, Fahrenheit 451.
Set in a future where books are illegal, Fahrenheit 451 tells the story of loyal fire-starting fireman, Guy Montag. Upon encountering Clarisse, a knowledge-hungry teenager, Montag develops a dangerous curiosity for the literary word that causes his life to quickly unravel.
While the dynamic combination of Aaron Paternosters lighting and Joe Tantalos staging fantastically convey the intellectual oppression of Fahrenheits setting, the leading performances are ok at best. Gregory Konows Montag doesnt display a believable emotional transition and Tara Browns Clarisse is often more irritating than charming. Despite the preachy script, it is the impressive performances of the background ensemble as they portray numerous human and technological characters that engage the audience and successfully creates an overall thought-provoking quality.