written by Nicole Parizeau
directed by Gary Graves
Produced in: 2020 2020-2021 2021
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SF Chronicle Datebook Pick: “the show poses vital questions about artistic responsibility” -L. Janiak
“fascinating, lively, and well-acted” -E. Mendel, Berkeleyside
Read The New York Times article: “Is it time Gauguin got Canceled?”
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A fine old painting on the gallery wall.
Pride of place in the museum. The painter? An old master in his own right…admired worldwide, historically important, and an inspiration to thousands. And revealed as a monster. What now?
“This is how you raise awareness and shift the identity of an institution… To rectify centuries of imbalance, you have to do something radical”—Christopher Bedford, Curator, Baltimore Museum of Art
“Demonizing art is not a rational response to it. There is no way that you should punish the art for the crimes of the artist”—Jonathan Pugh, Oxford University
Champagne Hughes
Kimberly Ridgeway
Don Wood
Stage Management: Liora Jacob
Costume design: Tammy Berlin
Lighting design: Gary Graves
Prop design: Debbie Shelley
Sound design: Gregory Scharpen
A famous 19th century artist is discovered to have an unsavory history, causing two friends and colleagues to have a difference of opinion that calls their relationship into question. Jory (Champagne Hughes, right) says his work must be canceled; Biz (Kimberly Ridgeway, left) says the art should not pay for the sins of the artist.
Jory (Champagne Hughes) has strong and inflexible views about how to deal with the product of a 19th century sexual predator. How far will she go to get her way?
Biz (Kimberly Ridgeway, center) and Jory (Champagne Hughes, right) are colleagues who do not see eye to eye about the fate of a painting whose creator is revealed to have committed monstrous acts. Their associate, Dodge (Don Wood, right) claims “Hey, I’m Switzerland here.”
SF Chronicle Datebook Pick: “the show poses vital questions about artistic responsibility” -L. Janiak
“fascinating, lively, and well-acted” -E. Mendel, Berkeleyside
“The Human Ounce…poses provocative questions [with a] charismatic, three-member cast” -Lou Fancher, East Bay Express
“Human Ounce engagingly explores art and responsibility” -Jean Schiffman, SF Examiner
“a wild, escalating encounter that explodes in front of us” -Beau McGlasson, Theatrius
The Atlantic, November 2020: Shirley Li wrties about the new identity crisis that American museums are experiencing.
“The best way to diversify a museum’s collection is by any means necessary.” -B. Frye, Hyperallergic
Read The New York Times article: “Is it time Gauguin got Canceled?”
Find out more about:
The Art: The paintings and painters mentioned in the script
Behind the Scenes: A Note from the playwright & references for the play