Red

The Hamner Theater presents

For Reservations & info please contact
The Hamner Theater, Reservations:  434-960-5936.

From Boomie Pedersen, Director:

The Hamner Theater will produce RED by John Logan, a play about Mark Rothko

Why?
The stated mission of the Hamner Theater is to boldly serve and heal our communities through conversation-provoking theatre in creative spaces. #letstalkaboutit. (www.thehamnertheater.com) We are committed to telling the stories of our community. A story that seems relevant at this point in time, in our history, is the story of why we make art, whether we are visual artists, musicians, writers, theater artists. Since the pandemic, there is less audience for live performance. This is something affecting theaters across the country. Theater programs in colleges and universities are also disappearing. There is less and less money available to support the arts. And yet anyone will tell you that art is vital for a healthy society. What are we doing to ourselves?
My father and brother were both artists and the theme of “selling out” or commodifying one’s work was one that swirled around in my world for years. It is a major theme in RED as well, as Rothko confronts the truth about finding a home for his work in a restaurant.
Theater confronts similar discomforts – what plays are produced and why? Are they solely to entertain and earn money or can they be political, to make change, to inspire conversation? Can there not be room for both? My brother’s untimely death has made the need to tell this story even more urgent. The Hamner Theater is committed to inspiring bold conversations – we hope RED will be the catalyst for just such a conversation, examining the world we are in, the role of the arts in that world and how we can collaborate to make it better.

When and Where?
RED will be performed Fri., Sat. and Sun., Sept. 6, 7, 8 at 7:30pm and 2pm on Sunday at the Hamner Studio; we will offer the play at the McGuffey Art Center Fri. and Sat. evenings, Sept. 13 and 14 at 7:30pm and at the Fralin Museum of Art tbd.

Who?
Larry Goldstein portrays Mark Rothko and Alex Davis is his assistant Ken; Boomie Pedersen directs.

How?
All of our productions are pay-what-you-will with a suggested donation of $20 – the Hamner Theater is a 501(c ) 3 non-profit organization and all funds received are invested in our artists and the expenses associated with the production.