10/17/13 lar
Encore and the Aquila Theatre Company will present Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, at Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center at Fort Hays State University.

"Fahrenheit 451" is Bradbury's account of a dystopian future in which the law requires all books to be burned. As a result, society becomes repressive in all forms of new knowledge, creative thinking and communication.

One of the most renowned works of the 20th century, "Fahrenheit 451" is a science fiction and literary classic. Bradbury adapted his book for stage in 1966.

Bradbury originally called the novel "The Fireman," but renamed it to "Fahrenheit 451" after learning that paper burns at 451 degrees Fahrenheit.

The main character, Guy Montag, is a book-burning fireman by profession. In this world, firemen start fires instead of putting them out. People do not read, think independently or have meaningful conversations. Instead, they spend the majority of their time watching television on wall-sized sets and listening to the radio that is plugged directly into their ears.

After 10 years of routinely burning books, Montag suddenly realizes the powers of books. He says, "There must be something in books, something we can't imagine, to make a woman stay in a burning house; there must be something there. You don't stay there for nothing."

Bradbury directly addresses the issues of censorship and the effects of technology on society.

Ticket prices: reserved seating for the public is $30; seniors and children ages 5-17 are $28; and FHSU students are $21. For unreserved seating, tickets are $26 for the public, $24 for seniors and children ages 5-17 and $17 for FHSU students.

Tickets can be ordered online at https://webapps.fhsu.edu/encoreseries/SingleOrder.aspx, by phone at 785-628-5306 or at the Student Service Center in the Memorial Union.