Hartford’s Circus Fire

Reduced Shakespeare Company Podcast · Apr 14, 2026 · 31m

Playwright Jacques Lamarre returns to discuss his epic new work, Circus Fire, which commemorates one of the worst fire disasters in U.S. history, and which Hartford's Theaterworks is producing as part of its 40th anniversary season. Jacques reveals the origins of his own fascination with the topic; how this is the largest production Theaterworks has ever mounted; how it's already been extended twice, despite some public controversy; where Jacques got his start as a playwright (and who gets the credit and/or blame); the inspiration he takes from Tectonic Theater’s The Laramie Project; how this…