A Performance Reading in the Style of Radio Drama of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 on Saturday, March 22, 2014, 2:30 p.m. at the Bronx Library Center‘s auditorium.
First published in 1953 when Nazi book burnings were fresh in the world’s consciousness, Bradbury’s famous novel has never been out of print. François Truffaut’s 1966 movie version is still shown, and a new film by Frank Darabont (director of The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile) is in planning stages. Fahrenheit 451 is undeniably a champion in the unending fight against censorship and apathy, and is considered a chilling and thought-provoking masterpiece of science-fiction.
Paper burns at 451°F, and in the 24th Century, firemen with flamethrowers destroy all books to protect the government’s suppression of independent thought in order to maintain control. Intellectuals are outlaws. Guy Montag, a young fireman, feels anxious about his job without knowing why—until he meets a free-spirited girl, an old woman who chooses to die with her books, and an underground of rebels who memorize books to preserve them without paper.
The performance script is an adaptation by David Houston and the show runs about 65 minutes.
Meet the performers:
MELANIE LIPTON—is at home in drama, comedies and musicals. Her starring roles include Georgia in the regional premiere of Curtains, Maggie in The Man Who Came to Dinner, both Mrs. Lovett and Johanna in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible, Meredith in Bat Boy, and Emily Dickinson in The Belle of Amherst. Melanie has toured in several of David Houston’s original plays: she was Adele Astaire in The Last Dance and Zelda Fitzgerald in Great Scott and Zelda. Melanie spent two seasons as teacher and choreographer at Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Center
RICK HEUTHE—is an accomplished character actor and singer with more than 25 years’ theatrical experience. His diverse leading roles include Norman in The Dresser, William Detweiler in How the Other Half Loves, Sancho in Man of La Mancha, Amos in Chicago, Sir Joseph in H.M.S. Pinafore, Dr. Einstein in Arsenic and Old Lace, Ernie Cusack in Neil Simon’s Rumors, and Paravaccini in The Mousetrap. He toured with an ensemble of six in Gilbert and Sullivan a la Carte, singing at least one number from every G&S operetta. He also had major roles in the world-premiere productions of The Mummy Musical (published by Dramatist’s Play Service) and the popular cabaret revue Hollywood Exposed.
DAVID HOUSTON—has appeared in leading roles in scores of plays and musicals, including Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet, Senex in Sondheim’s Forum, Ben in Death of a Salesman, Herr Shultz in Cabaret, Tony Wendice in Dial M For Murder, Mayor Shinn in The Music Man, and Horace Giddens in The Little Foxes. He is a published and produced writer of fiction and non-fiction. His original plays, including, Lillie Alone, Great Scott and Zelda, Let’s Do It, and The Last Dance have been seen at a number of Long Island libraries. His Joan Crawford biography Jazz Baby (St. Martin’s Press) was optioned for movie production.
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