Photo by Molly Burkiewicz, MVCC Marketing Department
By Layal Zaidan, Staff Writer
The last time I attended a play was back in 2018. I was behind the scenes, working as a stagehand, my last production being ”Monty Python and The Holy Grail.” Since then, I’ve lived a life far removed from the world of costumes, lighting cues, and late-night rehearsals. But not a day has gone by that I haven’t missed it. So, when I had the chance to attend Moraine Valley’s recent staging of “Fahrenheit 451”, I jumped at the chance to walk down memory lane.
And what a nice trip it was. Before the first line was even spoken, the atmosphere was already captivating. The set was minimalistic—red lighting bathed the stage in an ominous glow while a gentle haze of smoke drifted lazily from a corner smoke machine, instantly setting the tone for Ray Bradbury’s dystopian world. The props were few but well-chosen: a scattering of books, some trench coats, a table and chairs, a couch, and matches. As someone who once knew the hidden side of theatre, I couldn’t help but wonder if the backstage crew had tucked notes inside the books or hidden scribbles on the furniture—small traditions and inside jokes that never make it to the audience, but are part of the soul of any production.
Technically, the show was impressive. The sound design was layered and immersive, with voiceovers and mechanical hound noises creating a constant undercurrent of tension. The lighting design amplified the mood—dark, urgent, and at times, prescient. The coordination between the sound and light crews was seamless. Hats off to the Production Crew for crafting a technical backdrop that never overwhelmed the performance but rather elevated it.
The cast, too, deserves high praise. Kenneth Anthony Robinson delivered a compelling performance as Montag, embodying the inner turmoil of a man caught between duty and awakening. At times, I found myself telling him to stop pressing his luck as he teetered on the edge of blowing his own cover. His scenes with Mildred, played by Livia Chase, were especially tense and believable. I couldn’t even fault Mildred for eventually turning him in—Montag almost seemed to want to be caught.
Then there was his superior, Beatty, played with sharp intellect and quiet menace by Philip Davis. I’ve always loved a smart antagonist, and this portrayal hit the mark. There was a familiarity in the way he dissected Montag’s motivations—less of a villain and more of a man who’s seen it all before. A man trying one last time to reaffirm his rejection of intellectualism while at the same time refusing to acknowledge his error in judgement.
In the end, “Fahrenheit 451” was a return to a world I’ve missed dearly. For a single evening, I was swept back into the organized chaos and emotional richness of live theatre. Moraine Valley’s production reminded me why I fell in love with the stage in the first place. Bravo to the entire cast and crew—thanks for reminding this former stagehand of some old theatre tricks.
All photos above by Molly Burkiewicz, MVCC Marketing Department
