Season 2006-2007
On Stage January 18 - 28, 2007
Love Letters
Written by A.R. Gurney
Directed by Peter Coy
Featuring Doug Schneider & Dinah Pehrson, Michael Volpendesta & Carol McAvoy, Chris Courtenay & Jim Johnston, Boomie Pedersen & Chris Baumer
Don't miss Love Letters - The C-ville Weekly's 'Pick of the Week'
If you missed this Pulitzer Prize-nominated play at the Paramount in December, you can catch it now at the Hamner. LOVE LETTERS, one of the most poignant romances of the twentieth century, is a bittersweet love story told through the nearly 50-year correspondence of its characters.
We have four casts, eight of the best actors available in central Virginia, each performing three times in two weeks. All performances held Tuesday-Saturday at 7:30 pm, with matinees Saturday & Sunday at 2:00 pm.
Tickets are $10. If you want to see more than one cast, you can buy a $20 pass that will allow you to see all four casts, or pay $5 to see any additional show. Please phone 434 361 1999 for reservations.
Stage Manager: Jeannine Regan
Set: J. Taylor
Lighting: Larry Hugo
Carpet courtesy of Mead Oriental Rugs On the Downtown Mall
Furniture by special arrangement with Bassett Furniture
Special thanks for supporting this production of Love Letters.

Poster by DoneganDesign
Director Peter Coy with Michael Volpendesta & Carol McAvoy
Love Letters
by A.R. Gurney

On Stage Jan.18-28
Extra Show added - Sunday at 6pm
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Booking Now!
On Stage from Jan 18-28
Cast:
Tue. Jan. 16 Chris Courtenay & Jim Johnston * Preview - Pay what you will *
Wed. Jan. 17 Chris Baumer & Boomie Pedersen * Preview - Pay what you will *
Thu. Jan. 18 Carol McAvoy & Michael Volpendesta **Opening Night**
Fri. Jan. 19 Doug Schneider & Dinah Pehrson
Sat. Jan. 20 (2:00)Doug Schneider & Dinah Pehrson
Sat. Jan. 20 Chris Baumer & Boomie Pedersen
Sun. Jan. 21 (2:00) Doug Schneider & Dinah Pehrson ***Postponed***
Tue. Jan. 23 Chris Courtenay & Jim Johnston
Wed. Jan. 24 Chris Baumer & Boomie Pedersen
Thu. Jan. 25 Carol McAvoy & Michael Volpendesta
Fri. Jan. 26 Carol McAvoy & Michael Volpendesta **Last chance to catch their performance**
Sat. Jan. 27 (2:00) Chris Baumer & Boomie Pedersen **Last chance to catch their performance**
Sat. Jan. 27 Chris Courtenay & Jim Johnston
Sun. Jan. 28 (2:00)Chris Courtenay & Jim Johnston **Last chance to catch their performance**
Sun. Jan. 28 (6:00) Doug Schneider & Dinah Pehrson**Last chance to catch their performance**
- 4451 reads
ONSTAGE March 8 - 18, 2007
Uncle Vanya
Written by Anton Chekov
Adapted by Doug Grissom
Directed by Carol Pedersen
Featuring Doug Schneider, Chris Baumer, Chris Courtenay, Rebecca Hudnall, Jim Johnston, Boomie Pedersen, Dinah Pehrson, Derby Thomas and Ryan Wender.
Anton Chekhov's emotionally charged play about yearning and desire is one of the masterpieces of the modern theater. First produced in Moscow in 1899, Chekhov's drama of loss and disillusion, thwarted desire and frustrated longing is as potent today as it was at the turn of the century.
The Hamner is presenting the world premiere of an adaptation written by the Head of Playwriting at U Va, Doug Grissom.
Chekhov called his study of the lives and relationships of these 8 characters (plus a workman) a comedy and Mr. Grissom's adaptation takes that quite seriously! It is at once funny and sad, much like life. There will be several evenings of post-show discussion scheduled with director and cast for those interested in finding out more about the process of adaptation and production.
The Hamner & Uncle Vanya in the Papers:
Read Jane Dunlap Norris' article in the Sunday Daily Progress!
Director Carol Pedersen & Hamner Co-Artistic Director Boomie Pedersen spoke with The C-ville Weekly's Katherine Cox about Chekhov & the Hamner Theater.
Photos from Uncle Vanya
On Stage from March 8-18
March 8-10 at 7:30pm
March 10,11 at 2:00pm
March 13-17 at 7:30pm
March 17, 18 at 2:00pm

(Jim Johnston, Rebecca Hudnall, Doug Schneider)
- 3819 reads
On Stage Nov. 29 - Dec. 10, 2006
The Homecoming
Written by Earl Hamner, Jr.
Adapted by Peter Coy
Directed by Boomie Pedersen
This is our second annual production of Earl Hamner, Jr.'s classic tale of Christmas in Nelson County, newly revised for 2006. It's Christmas Eve in 1933 and Daddy's not home yet; has there been an accident? Or is he out with the Staples sisters? This 20-character play is the heart-warming story of a family waiting for the magic of Christmas Eve to arrive - not Santa, but Daddy - told from the perspective of the adult Clay-Boy as he remembers the journey he took, that snowy evening long ago...
Nov. 29 - Dec. 10, 2006
Wednesday - Saturday at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm.
Tickets are $10, $5 for 12 & under. Call 434-361-1999 for more information & to reserve your seats. Don't be disappointed - book early for this local favorite!
More photos added here - Jan'07
The cast and crew of The Homecoming, 2006
From Hamner Theater sponsor WMRA's Civic Soapbox : Listener Essays (Dec. 2006):
Mariflo Stephens : Back with the Waltons, Again (Follow the link to listen to writer & actress Mariflo Stevens (Emma Staples) read her essay on acting in The Homecoming.)
From the News Leader,Nov 23, 2006
Earl Hamner's novel being brought to life on Afton stage
By Ruth Jones/staff
'The Homecoming' to be performed at the Hamner Theater
On Christmas Eve in 1933, the Spencer family members eagerly awaited the arrival of their father.
Olivia (Jacquie Harvey) & Grandma Ida (Chris Courtenay)
Follow the link to listen to an interview with Earl Hamner about The Homecoming, his mother and more: Interview by WMRA's David Molpus for NPR (Dec, 2005)
See reaction to The Homecoming, 2005
Peter Coy's adaptation of The Homecoming is also on stage in Oregon at the Albany Civic Theater

Rick Steeves tells Phoebe Shaw (& cast) a story: 
- 3848 reads
On Stage September 13 - 24, 2006
Two Tales from the Twilight Zone
Written by Earl Hamner, Jr.
Adapted by Peter Coy
Directed by Peter Coy & Boomie Pedersen
Featuring Aaron Burgess, Christina Courtenay, Linda Crowe, Sam Gorman, Susan Gorman, Rose Harper, Fiona Claire Harper,Rebecca Hudnall, Barb Lynch, Richard Steeves, Carrie Stuart, Derby Thomas, Ryan Wender, Georgina Zajonc
Two pieces by Earl Hamner, Jr., originally written for the TV series, adapted for the stage by Earl Hamner, Jr. and Peter Coy. Most fans of the long-running TV series, THE WALTON’S, don’t realize that creator Earl Hamner also wrote teleplays for the TWILIGHT ZONE. Nelson County’s Hamner Theater brings Hamner’s own twist to bewitchin’ and enchantment to the stage with adaptations of “Jess-Belle,” the tale of a young woman who makes a deal with the Devil for love, and “The Bewitchin’ Pool,” where troubled youngsters escape to and find a happier unreality.
Photos from The Bewitchin' Pool
Photos from Jess-Belle
Meet the Cast of Tales from The Twilight Zone
Get a signed copy of Earl Hamner's book, The Twilight Zone Scripts of Earl Hamner (by Earl Hamner and Tony Albarella)!
Call 434-361-1999 to order your copy.
Christina Courtenay as Granny Hart in Jess-Belle
Don’t miss the chance to join in the eerie fun.
What: Two from the Twilight Zone
Where: Hamner Theater, 190 Rockfish School Lane, Afton
When: September 13-24 Wed-Sat. at 7:30pm; Sun. at 2pm
How much: $10, Children 12 and under- $5
Contact: 434-361-1999
- 2558 reads

