WTC brings captivating drama ‘Bauer’ to the stage
Kristin Ellingson, Scotty MacLaren and Marnie Klein in “Bauer.” (Photo courtesy of Whitefish Theatre Co.)
The Whitefish Theatre Co. presents its final Black Curtain theatre production of the 2021-2022 season with “Bauer” by Lauren Gunderson at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish. A play about art, passion, secrets, betrayal, and love, “Bauer” has performances on March 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m.
“Bauer” is the true story of forgotten abstract artist Rudolf Bauer, peer to Picasso, Chagall and Kandinsky and beacon to Pollock and Rothko. The year is 1953 and Bauer hasn’t painted in 13 years, ever since he unwittingly signed a contract that gave ownership of all his past and future work to the Guggenheim Foundation. Bauer was poised to be the focal artist of the new Guggenheim Museum in New York City, however, the Guggenheim opened without a single Bauer on display. What happened to his paintings? What caused Bauer to set down his brushes and never paint again? A story of love and defiance, “Bauer” is the revealing and moving untold story of powerful art, powerful passion, and just as powerful, the hope of redemption.
“What drew me to this play was the fascinating interplay between the three characters, Rudolf Bauer, his wife Louise, and his former lover and champion, Hilla Rebay,” says Director Gil Jordan. “The unlikely pair of women come together in an attempt to jolt Bauer out of his doldrums, release his pent-up artistic passion, and paint once again. Along the way, they explore the nature of creativity, the value of art and culture, and the redeeming power of love.”
Adds Jordan, “In real life, Rudolf Bauer gave up his art to preserve his integrity, ultimately costing him his life. Playwright Lauren Gunderson reimagines what might have happened had his wife and former lover succeeded in convincing Bauer to pick up his brushes and paint. The result is a happy ending that offers hope to us all.”
Cast members include Scotty MacLaren as Rudolf Bauer, Kristin Ellingson as Louise Bauer, Marnie Klein as Hilla Rebay, and Patty Thiel reading stage directions. Viewers are reminded that as a Black Curtain production, there will be minimal staging, set and props and actors will be reading from a script.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students for all shows. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office at 1 Central Avenue in Whitefish or by calling 862-5371. Box Office Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before a performance. Individual tickets can also be purchased online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org. This show is sponsored by Bet & Doug Wise.