Theater Review - Red Alert

Red Chair Theater, home of the improv troupe Comedy Response Unit, is in need of an emergency response unit. The 2-year-old theater, located near Northside Drive and 11th Street, needs a rapid financial infusion to continue to keep the lights on.

Artistic Director and performer Jennifer Caldwell explains, “We’ve immediate debts and have to make things happen right now. Any amount would help, but $5,000-$7,000 could get us back to where we could continue to move forward. That’s not a great amount of debt, but I’m not sure we’ll make it.”

In 2000, Comedy Response Unit (a troupe of performers all under the age of 25 at the time) opened Red Chair Theater, which has supported itself solely from ticket sales. The nonprofit company recently applied for 501-C3 tax-exempt status, which if approved will permit corporate sponsors to make tax-deductible donations. Approval may take months, but Caldwell says that some companies have already expressed interest, and “the Fulton Council Arts Council is just waiting to help us,” she says. Caldwell adds that their landlord supports the arts and is willing to cut their rent by $1,000 a month if they can diminish their arrears.

Consequently the playhouse’s two-year anniversary show May 10 also will be a fund raiser, beginning with a silent auction at 9:30 p.m. The performance at 10:30 p.m. will salute Comedy Response Unit’s favorite improv formats, and will be followed by an after-party. Caldwell hopes the theater will survive so it can continue to develop its specialty of long-form improv: “It can be different, funny and beautiful, and it’s produced right before your eyes. There’s nothing like it in Atlanta, and it would be a great loss.” She emphasizes, “If you’ve ever laughed with, cried with us, or never even seen us at all, hurry to the theater.” <

Red Chair Theatre’s second anniversary celebration is May 10 at 10:30 p.m. at the Red Chair Theater, 662 11th St. $10. 404-872-4242. www.comedyresponseunit.com.??