February 2026 - Let Us Entertain You: Red Velvet Brings the Story of Trailblazer Ira Aldridge to the Albuquerque Stage
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Red Velvet brings a powerful and long-overdue story to the stage, blending history, imagination, and emotional truth into a theatrical experience that resonates far beyond its 19th-century setting. Based on the real-life story of Ira Aldridge, the first Black actor to play Othello in the United Kingdom, the production invites audiences to reflect on legacy, access, and the cost of being “the first.” With performances by Marcus Ivey and Vasai Knight anchoring the work, Red Velvet feels both deeply personal and urgently contemporary.
Set across two time periods, 1833 and 1867, Red Velvet unfolds as a memory play, moving fluidly between moments in Aldridge’s life and the larger cultural forces surrounding him. Aldridge, an immensely talented actor from New York, found himself shut out of opportunity in the United States due to racism. His decision to move to Europe was not simply about ambition, but survival—an attempt to find a place where his talent could be seen rather than dismissed. In 1833, his casting as Othello at London’s Theatre Royal (historically associated with Covent Garden) marked a groundbreaking and controversial moment in theatrical history.
What makes Red Velvet especially compelling is its refusal to romanticize the idea of being a trailblazer. Aldridge’s achievement is monumental, but the play does not shy away from the emotional toll of that distinction. Being first is often framed as heroic, yet the production underscores how isolating and exhausting it can be. Aldridge carried not only his own hopes, but the weight of representation—knowing that any misstep would be magnified, scrutinized, and used to justify exclusion for those who might follow.
That tension is at the heart of the story. Aldridge’s passion and fearlessness open doors, but they also place him in constant confrontation with gatekeepers determined to control who gets access to the stage and whose stories are deemed worthy. The play explores how narratives are shaped, who is allowed to tell them, and how power operates within artistic institutions. These themes feel strikingly current, echoing ongoing conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion within the arts today.
The relevance of Red Velvet in the present moment cannot be overstated. Its exploration of systemic racism, cultural gatekeeping, and the framing of diversity as “risky” or “experimental” mirrors challenges that artists of color continue to face. While progress has been made, the questions raised by Aldridge’s story—about opportunity, representation, and who gets to occupy space—remain unresolved. The play invites audiences to confront not only historical injustice, but the ways those patterns persist in modern creative industries.
One of the production’s most resonant ideas is the loneliness that accompanies being first. Aldridge’s courage paved the way for future generations, but at a significant personal cost. The play asks viewers to consider what it means to carry that burden, and to honor the emotional labor involved in breaking barriers. It’s a reminder that progress is often built on unseen sacrifice.
Beyond its thematic weight, Red Velvet also serves an important educational role. Ira Aldridge is not a widely known figure, even among theatre audiences, despite his profound influence. Simply sparking curiosity—prompting audiences to look him up, learn his history, and understand what he endured—is a meaningful outcome in itself. The production positions storytelling as both remembrance and reclamation, ensuring Aldridge’s contributions are not lost to time.
Ultimately, Red Velvet is a call to conversation. It encourages audiences to leave the theatre thinking, talking, and questioning—about history, about art, and about whose voices are elevated or silenced. It’s a story about resilience, but also about responsibility: the responsibility to acknowledge those who came before and to continue pushing for more equitable spaces in the arts. This is not just a night at the theatre—it’s an opportunity to engage with a story that still echoes powerfully today.
Red Velvet runs February 13 through March 1, with performances on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, making it a compelling option for a meaningful Valentine’s Day weekend outing. Tickets and additional information are available at westendproductions.org.
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