I’m always surprised by how small actress Cathy Simpson looks on stage, because her performances become gigantic in my memory. The longtime People’s Light company member shines in Theatre Horizon’s Pretty Fire, a solo memoir by Charlayne Woodard detailing a childhood of highs (music, family life, shenanigans) and lows (premature birth, racism, sexual assault), told passionately by Simpson on the brand-new Theatre Horizon stage in director James Ijames’ lean, smart production. Pretty Fire typifies Horizon’s brave choices: Inaugurating the cozy 120-seat theater with a breezy musical revue would be safe and easy, but artistic director Erin Reilly aspires to much more.
Through Nov. 18, $25-$31, Theatre Horizon, 401 DeKalb St., Norristown, 610-283-2230, theatrehorizon.org.
