The House Is on Fire

Beanland (Florence Adler Swims Forever) presents an intricate historical fiction based on the true and tragic story of the 1811 Richmond Theater fire in Virginia. With nearly 600 people in attendance, a scenery mishap sparked a fire that quickly engulfed the three-story building, inciting panic as people attempted to flee through narrow corridors and windows nailed shut to thwart the winter weather. Told from the perspectives of a blacksmith, an enslaved man, a socialite, and a stagehand, this fast-paced narrative touches on the harrowing loss of life and the racial, gender, and political concerns that came to light in the aftermath. Narrators Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Andi Arndt, Michael Crouch, and Ruffin Prentiss III give distinct and dramatic representations of the four first-person narratives. Collectively, they evoke tension, tragedy, anguish, and excitement to create a compelling listening experience. A note, read by the author, details the extent of the historical accuracy regarding the individuals and events within.