Read more about our Challenge Grant

One other bit of very good news - we have recently received a three year challenge grant of $150,000 which - if matched - should help keep us in business for the forseeable future! This is very exciting and a literal challenge - we need to raise $50,000 a year for the next three years to receive the grant and continue to be able to bring live theater to Nelson County. Donations will be matched dollar for dollar, so consider putting something in the "Challenge Jar" next time you come to the theater and know that you have made an investment that matters. We really couldn't do this without you!

Dear Theatergoer,

We are into our final weekend of our second annual production of The Homecoming. Thank you to all who have come to see it and apologies to any of you who have been unable to get tickets. You can see photos of this year's production here and here.(More to come soon.) Our sell-out success is certainly a blessing and always a happy surprise! Maybe next year...

Our next offering will be The Blue Ridge Family Chorus in the cabaret on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 5:30pm. This will be a free concert and refreshments will be provided. Please note that it is a Sunday at 5:30pm unlike our usual cabarets. It is also free, a holiday gift for our audiences.

Next on the mainstage is Love Letters, by A.R. Gurney, running Jan. 18 - 28, with a free preview on Weds., Jan. 17. This production replaces our originally scheduled production of Poe and All That Jazz, which has been rescheduled for the fall of 2007. (Or POE-stPOE-ned...haha!) Love Letters is a bittersweet love story told through the letters of Andy and Melissa over the course of the 50-plus years of their relationship. Four different couples will be sharing the performances - the box office will have the cast information for each performance.

If you are feeling inclined to get involved backstage, we are looking for a Stage Manager for Love Letters, as well as for Uncle Vanya which opens in March. If you would like to know more about stage managing, or would like to volunteer in a different capacity, please call the theater at 361-1999.

Auditions for Uncle Vanya will be Mon., Dec. 11 and Tues., Dec. 12 from 6 - 9pm at the theater. Director Carol Pedersen is looking for a cast of 9, 5 men and 4 women, from 28 - 82. For further information, or to schedule an audition if Mon. or Tues. is not possible, please call Carol at 970-5072. Uncle Vanya is by Russian playwright Anton Chekhov and we are excited to be working in collaboration with Doug Grissom (Head of Playwriting at UVA) on his original adaptation of the play.

All Performances of The Homecoming are now Sold Out

Thank you for your support!

Performances Wed - Sun, Nov. 29 - Dec. 10.

It is not too late to reserve your tickets to The Homecoming but performances are filling up, so call soon if you want to see this Nelson County Christmas story.

Next week : Auditions for Uncle Vanya will be held Monday & Tuesday, Dec 11th & 12th from 6 - 8:00 pm, at the Theater, or by appointment. (Call director Carol Pedersen at 970-5072 to arrange a time.) Cast: 5 men & 4 women, Ages 28 - 82; In rehearsal from January; On Stage March 8 - 18, 2007.

Our final offering for 2006 will be on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 5:30pm and is Free: the Blue Ridge Family Chorus will sing seasonal music and offer refreshments to the audience - a holiday gift indeed!

One more news bulletin: our January production of Poe and All That Jazz has been postponed until Halloween of 2007. In its place we will offer Love Letters, A.R. Gurney's bittersweet love story told through the nearly 50-year correspondence of its characters. Production dates are Jan. 18 - 28th.

Dear Friend of the Hamner Theater,

Coming this Saturday, Nov. 18 at 7:30: The Dinah Pehrson Band sings the blues. From their promo: "Dinah Pehrson and Vincent Day cover songs by great American blues artists Sonny Boy Williamson, T. Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy and Stevie and Jimmy Vaughan. Accompanied by Spencer Lathrop, Dan Sebring and others, they also bring their unique blues mama twist to country and rock greats as well."

What makes this cabaret extra special is that is being offered as a benefit for Amy and Brian Webb, members of the Nelson community who lost their house in a fire last week. All tickets are $15.00 and include food that is being donated so that all proceeds will go to the Webbs. We will be pouring Bourbon - Lynchburg Lemonade, Bourbon Roses - and all bar proceeds will also be earmarked for the Webbs. Doors open at 6:30 and the show will start at 7:30. So come and enjoy the blues and raise a glass to the Webbs and know that you are doing your part to help your neighbors! (361-1999 for reservations)

If for some reason you don't have plans for this Saturday night, come to Cabaret #11 - Las Gitanas . This band of four women plays original music inspired and influenced by the traditions of Old-Time Appalachian, Hungarian,French, Cajun...in short, "Gypsy-lachian!"
Visit their myspace page

And if the music isn't tempting enough, consider the fare...polenta canapes with blue cheese and Pomegranate caviar...smoked salmon mousse on garlic shortbreads...chocolate hazelnut cheesecake bars...and more...