Dear Theo: The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh
Arts + Literature Laboratory 111 S. Livingston St., Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Today Vincent Van Gogh is almost as well known for his struggles with his mental health as he is for his groundbreaking painting techniques. He wrote many letters to his brother, Theo, who tried to get his art the audience it deserved. This dramatic reading of a selection of those letters highlights the inner artist. The reading is by Melvin Hinton, narrated by Maggie Schenk, with music by Diana Wheeler, and images from Van Gogh.
media release: Fermat's Last Theater Co. presents Dear Theo: The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh at Arts + Literature Laboratory on Thursday, April 13 at 7:30pm. Free Admission.
Melvin Hinton as the voice of van Gogh, Maggie Schenk as the narrator, violin music by Diana Wheeler, with many images. Free admission.
Vincent van Gogh wrote over 2000 letters in his short life, 600 to his younger brother Theo alone, The letters reveal that Vincent knew exactly where he was going with his painting and that he was producing masterpieces. That he suffered episodes of madness, it is true, but the madness did not produce his art - he was unable to draw or paint while ill. And the letters can stand alone as great literature. This reading will highlight the beauty he was able to convey with words and with paint, and the post show discussion will focus on the fraught relationship between money and art. Vincent was penniless when he died (his brother had supported him for many years), but today his paintings sell for many millions of dollars.