Pretty Fire

L.A. Theatre Works has made an ongoing commitment to record "the greatest acting talent of our time performing the world's finest literature." Charlayne Woodard's moving autobiographical piece certainly finds itself at home among the other recordings in LATW's repertoire. In five vignettes about three generations of her African-American family, Woodard paints a vibrant family portrait that is infused with humor, as well as solemnity. The recording is live, as are all L. A. Theatre Works' productions, and the audience's reactions make a wonderful background to Woodard's energetic performance. R.A.P. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine