Anna and her brother Carl take a fantastical, whimsical trip through Europe, seeking to reaffirm life in the face of terminal illness. Paula Vogel wrote The Baltimore Waltz as an imaginary journey with her brother who had recently died of AIDS.

Directed by John Warren
Featuring Andrew Hurteau, Paul Lancour, and Wendy Wilcox

The Hotel Monaco may never be the same.

In May and June, over 600 of you tromped across the plush carpets and marble tiles of the swanky Hotel Monaco to witness Paula Vogel’s The Baltimore Waltz. For each show, the Unconditional Theatre crew would invade the Monaco’s ‘Living Room,’ kick out the hotel patrons, rearrange the furniture, unpack our 5 suitcases of props, rewire the lights, and prepare to put on this unusual show. Sound like a lot of work? Well, it was. But it was worth it.

In a return to UT’s commitment to site-specific theatre, the audience moved around the ‘theatre’ following the action and avoiding the actors as they bounced from comfy couch to fireplace to windowsill. The result was a production that truly engaged audience members in an entirely different way than a traditional staging.

Waltz featured UT members Paul Lancour and Wendy Wilcox as traveling siblings Carl and Anna, whom the Contra Costa Times described as “charming”. The multi-faceted Andrew Hurteau approached schizophrenia as the ‘Third Man,’ a role which consisted of twelve different parts, from a Viennese urologist to a radical student activist to the Little Dutch Boy. The Gate called him a “rakish, gifted chameleon” for his performance. The SF Bay Guardian even wrote, “Hats off to the Unconditional Theatre for its adaptive staging and talented staff.” 

The Baltimore Waltz also allowed Unconditional Theatre to continue in its goal to support grassroots community groups in the Bay Area. For each performance, we set out brochures from several local AIDS groups. More importantly, we donated 10% of ticket sales to Shanti, which provides much-needed services to people who are HIV positive.

Despite the hard work, it was a tremendously rewarding show. Thanks to all of you who came out to see it. After our sold-out final weekend, we were even able to extend for another sellout weekend. And who knows, maybe someday the staff of the Hotel Monaco will be able to hear “Unconditional Theatre” without cringing!

WHAT THE CRITICS SAID:

"hats off to the Unconditional Theatre for its adaptive staging and talented staff."
lori culwell, san francisco bay guardian

"the cast members, wendy wilcox, paul lancour, and andrew hurteau, give the play a wonderful bounce and energy."
pat craig, the contra costa times

"sucks you into the story and makes the time dance by."
simone stein, the metropolitan

"director john warren and his capable cast do an impressive job of maximizing the comedy… you are left thinking-and giggling-well into the night."
cassi feldman, sf station