A stage adaptation of Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" premiered at Columbia Center for the Arts on Oct. 9, directed by Lowry Browning. Above: Ben Sheppard and Kirk Thomas. Sean Avery photos.
A stage adaptation of Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" premiered at Columbia Center for the Arts on Oct. 9, directed by Lowry Browning. Above: Ben Sheppard and Kirk Thomas. Sean Avery photos.
Kathy Williams and Kirk Thomas.
From left to right: Ben Sheppard, Ann Marie Goodman, Kirk Thomas, and Davis Mackintosh.
From left to right: Ben Sheppard, Ann Marie Goodman, Davis Mackintosh, and Kirk Thomas.
Ben Sheppard and Kirk Thomas.
Kathy Williams and Kirk Thomas.
Kirk Thomas.
Ben Sheppard and Kirk Thomas.
Emily Vawter and Ben Sheppard.
From left to right: Ben Sheppard, Avery Winwood, Emily Vawter, and Ann Marie Goodman.
HOOD RIVER — As artificial intelligence advances, fascism persists, and society drifts further from curiosity and intellectualism, Ray Bradbury’s fiery dystopian novel “Fahrenheit 451” will grow all the more relevant.
Directed by former The Dalles High School theater teacher Lowry Browning, a stage adaptation of the classic 1953 novel premiered at Columbia Center for the Arts (CCA) on Oct. 9 and will run for three weekends.
Browning earned a theater degree from the University of Houston before acquiring her Actors Equity Association card, launching an early career in professional theater and stage management. She later achieved a master’s degree, becoming a certified educator, primarily teaching middle school English.
After relocating to Gorge, Browning assumed a position at The Dalles High School, where she taught English and led the drama department for 18 years, directing shows like “Cinderella,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” and “Freaky Friday.”
With “Fahrenheit 451,” Browning is making her directorial debut at CCA. Her relationship with production manager Catherine Butler, former parent-director at Columbia High School, ignited talks surrounding Bradbury’s classic, which Browning taught students for over a decade.
Upon her first read in college, Browning was struck by the novel's powerful themes of censorship, media saturation, and an authoritarian regime’s deliberate attempt to control knowledge. “A lot of things came out of me,” she said. “I was never much of a science fiction fan, but Bradbury drew me in and still does.”
Foreground: Ben Sheppard and Davis Mackintosh.
Years later, the book’s themes have proven timeless, and with several students expressing that they don’t read, or read very little, Browning felt the stage adaptation deserved a local iteration. “With all the nonsense that’s going on in our world today, I thought this deserved to come to the theater,” she said.
The story follows a thought-controlled, dystopian society, where books are illegal, firemen burn instead of extinguish, and wall-to-wall television screens smooth minds with simple media. After a consequential conversation with his spirited neighbor Clarisse (Emily Joyce), fireman Guy Montag (Ben Sheppard) begins to question everything and starts secretly reading literature — much to the suspicion of his authoritative boss, Captain Beatty (Kirk Thomas).
Ben Sheppard and Emily Joyce.
Featuring a talented cast of performers, intricate lighting, and immersive special effects, CCA’s “Fahrenheit 451” succeeds in its retelling of an ever-relevant lesson, arguing in favor of tangible art, creativity, and diversity of thought.
Browning said the experience took a lot of hard work, especially for the lead actors, who unload pages of dense monologues. The technically complex production features over 150 lighting and sound cues, handled gracefully by designers Mark and Marti Dane.
Sheppard works well as the protagonist, starting as a blank-faced, emotionally numb pawn who evolves into an urgent, emotional vessel for the play — and the audience’s — struggle to contend with and break through society’s overreach.
Ben Sheppard as Montag in "Fahrenheit 451"
It’s Thomas who steals the show as the menacing, articulate, and highly manipulative Beatty, delivering several loud, unhinged monologues. He’s a bully through and through, and you can’t help but despise him.
Kirk Thomas as Captain Beatty in "Fahrenheit 451"
Loud alarms, flashing lights, and projected special effects craft an immersive atmosphere, transporting audiences to a loud, overbearing world where everyone’s constantly on edge.
Browning hopes people leave the theater contemplating what our world would be without books, where screens and shallow short-form media rule. Several local high school English teachers plan to bring students to the performance; CCA encourages more to follow suit.
“It’s not a happy-go-lucky show where you come out tap dancing,” Browning said. “It’s meant to make you think.”
Warning: “Fahrenheit 451” contains sequences of flashing lights that may affect photosensitive individuals. Viewer discretion is advised.
For showtimes, tickets, and more information, visitcolumbiaarts.org.
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