Local show run canceled after actor injury

Andrew Edwin Voss, as seen in a recent headshot on Youngblood’s Facebook page.

Youngblood Theatre Co., one of Milwaukee’s newest theater groups, announced today that the last nine performances of Adam Rapp’s Red Light Winter staging at the Alchemist Theatre in Bay View would have to end. This came following the news that one of its lead actors and founding members, Andrew Edwin Voss was hospitalized following an altercation early Sunday morning.

Youngblood Production’s founding members, seen in a distributed photo shortly after the 2009 season began.

Voss and an acquaintance were reportedly attacked by a third man and stabbed, according to a Facebook report from the friend. Voss remains in the hospital in critical condition; the friend was released after treatment, and the alleged attacker was arrested sometime later, according to a news report.

Michael Cotey, founding artistic director of Youngblood Theatre Co., confirmed the early show closing and, in a press release on the Alchemist website, requested privacy for Voss and his family. Here’s an excerpt:

“Youngblood will be unable to complete our run of Red Light Winter as planned and appreciate everyone’s patience while Andrew’s friends and family deal with this tragic and senseless act of violence.

“Patrons who purchased tickets for the remainder of the run will be offered the opportunity to have their money refunded or donated toward Andrew’s costly medical expenses. The staff of the Alchemist Theatre will contact patrons individually regarding their tickets.

“The Alchemist Theatre has also offered to accept donations for Andrew’s family through its website starting Tuesday, Jan. 26.

“In addition, the Alchemist Theatre (2569 S. Kinnickinnic, Milwaukee, WI) will host a fundraiser and community-gathering event in support of Andrew on Friday, Jan. 29, starting at 7 p.m. Details are forthcoming.”

Andrew Voss and Emily Vitrano in MCT’s production of Picnic. Photo by Mark Frohna.

Voss has been a busy stage actor in the past few years, as a university student actor participating in a handful of productions and leading off the inaugural Youngblood season with Savage in Limbo. He starred in the role of Hal Carter in Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s Picnic back in October, and he challenged himself further in the current risque play, Red Light Winter.