November 2013
THE BALTIMORE WALTZ by Paula Vogel
Directed by Peter Zinn
at the Underground Theater
64 East 4th Street, New York City
Set Designers: Jack & Rebecca Cunningham
Properties Designer: Sara Slagle
Slide Designer: Ben Philipp
Lighting Designer: Lauren Bremen
Sound Designer: Patrick Burks
Costume Designer: Viviane Galloway
Stage Manager: Sarah Lahue
Dialect Coach: Charley Layton
Choreographer: Scott Schnieder
Press Representative: Alton PR and Production
Press Photographer: Sechrest Photography
Archival Photographer: Kristen Vaughan
Starring:
Greg Oliver Bodine*, Heather E. Cunningham*, and Ricardo Rust*
*Appearing Courtesy of Actors' Equity Association
"Poignant, Thought-Provoking Theatre... The dialogue is the kind of phrasing that feels so poignant, relatable, and perfectly crafted to embody just the right feeling that there is a tangible shiver throughout the audience. There are only three cast members, each as strong as the next... The performances are the kind that are so solid, it makes the ending even harder to stomach and the realization of the overall farce a punch straight to the gut." - Juliana Adame, Broadwayworld
"It’s a delicate mix and balance of design, direction and acting that Retro Theatre Productions excels at in its revival of Paula Vogel’s classic about the AIDS crisis and personal grief... There are outstanding performances by the cast of three... this production has found its perfect balance... Modern theatre is often about The Now or even about The Next, but Retro Productions understands the importance of remembering our recent history. The significance of reflection is always poignantly observed in their revivals and The Baltimore Waltz is no different. It is a satisfying and beautiful tribute of a time and play worth remembering." - Gina Femia, New York Theatre Review
"Extremely funny and ultimately heartbreaking…as an example of early AIDS-themed theatre, it’s important; as the story of siblings who find themselves being brought together and torn apart by a strange and inexorable illness, it’s a treasure. Come for the history; stay for the art." - Regina Robbins, Theater is Easy
"This production makes a vivid case for this early Vogel work." - Joel Benjamin, Theater Pizazz
"An inclusive discursive experience which audaciously crosses the borders, yet forcefully unites the humor with the tragedy, the past with the present, and the queer with the mainstream, while remaining vigilant and critical of all." - Ivan Savvine, Out There MagazineRetro Productions was proud to donate 15% of our ticket sales from this production to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Between ticket sales and our post-show bucket drive we were able to donate $790 to BC/EFA. Thank you to all of those who supported this fund drive!
This production also included the following talk backs:
Dr. Jeffrey Laurence, after the November 18th performance.
Dr. Jeffrey Laurence is the Director of the Laboratory for AIDS Virus Research at Weill Cornell and NY Presbyterian as well as Sr. Scientific Consultant for Programs at amfAR, and the Editor-in-Chief of AIDS Patient Care and STDs.Matthew J. Jones, after November 16th performance.
Matthew J. Jones is a PhD candidate in the Critical & Comparative Studies of Music program at The University of Virginia. His dissertation, HOW TO MAKE MUSIC IN AN EPIDEMIC: HEARING AIDS, 1981-1996 will be defended in the fall of 2013.