Editor's Pick Award
Richmond Magazine
August 1, 2005
Sarah K. McDonald
Slashtipher “Slash” Coleman wrote a one-man play in
October for someone he hadn’t yet met. The
beneficiary of this creative surge is a 10-month-old.
The play’s inspiration is the child’s father and
Coleman’s best friend, Mark Jamison, a neon-glass
blower from Roanoke who died in 2004 while hanging
a neon sign — before his girlfriend even discovered
she was pregnant. Coleman will read selections from
The Neon Man and Me at C3 on Aug. 17 at 6 p.m.
The play chronicles the friendship between the two
men, which spanned 20 years. Coleman is quick to
point out that though the piece does deal with
Jamison’s death, it’s primarily about their friendship,
so it isn’t totally melancholy. “I didn’t want it to be
very dark like it was pages ripped from my journal,”
he says.
The complete play premieres in October in
Roanoke, one block from Jamison’s neon shop,
and in November at Comedy-Sportz Improv
Theater here in Richmond. He has also authored
a book of poetry, Is My Chakra Pretty?, and
several short stories. When he’s not writing or
performing, Coleman’s creative juices are put to
use at his family’s upholstery/restoration business.
Profits from Neon Man benefit Jamison’s son, Mark
Jamison Thomas Jr. Suggested donation of $10.
1801 E. Cary St. 474-3639 or www.slashtipher.
com.
© Slash Coleman 2008
The piece is primarily
about our friendship.
Photo: Claire Folger