This little adventure started out on a Thursday evening on the way to see Nice People Dancing. One of my best friends in the world was in town from Texas and what better time to have than catching a play and grabbing a little dinner. We arrived at The Virginia Repertory Theatre and the place was packed. Neither of us had been there before and we were anxious to test it out. Rumor was flying around that the play was delayed because of technical problems.
What kind of technical problems? Well before long it was announced that the play was cancelled so we moved on over to the Hanover Tavern and we had a lovely dinner with even better service (yes Diane, I’m talking about you). Regardless of the cancellation we did what girlfriends do. We rattled on and on and had a wonderful evening.
So I decided to take another whack at this play only I couldn’t get a date this time. All of my friends were busy and I ended up going alone. I sat next to a really elegant lady and her husband. She shocked me by telling me that it didn’t matter how great the play was, she would, without doubt, nod off at some point and would kindly appreciate a nudge when it happened.
I laughed out loud at her. She said “No honey, seriously, Elvis Presley could walk onto this stage and I would still doze off”. I immediately fell in love with her.
I have to tell you the title is pretty misleading. I was almost dreading all this dancing to country music I was about to witness. When I
saw the set I thought, these people better be good because if they fall it’s going to be on my lap. If you haven’t been to the Barksdale theatre, there isn’t a bad seat in the place. It’s a very intimate venue to see a play and I’m looking forward to a return visit.
This ensemble of five actors was a dialogue lovers dream come true. It was rich with lots of hysterically funny lines performed by some really talented actors. David Bridgewater (Jim) starts off the play and sets the tone for the Texas-twanged, laugh-induced non-dancing trip to a parking lot bar in the summer of 1982. Matthew Mitchell (Roy) was almost a little too believable as Roy, but I fell madly in love with him. He couldn’t have made me laugh harder. Joy Williams (Eve) was also a natural with the accent, mannerisms and hysterical dialogue.
Daniel Allen (Jason) was absolutely adorable at making us want to ring his little neck. Liz Earnest (Catherine) had us laughing too with her Nun gone wrong routine. The intermission was part of the show if you can believe it and caused a huge round of applause as well. Then it all made sense. Why the show had been cancelled the previous week. What I can say is: It was worth driving out there twice to see. I live in Short Pump and the Hanover Tavern is not a quick hop, skip and a jump, but it truly was worth both trips. The first time we had a great dinner and service at Hanover Tavern and then the second, a great performance at the Barksdale. Grab a girlfriend, husband or significant other and prepare for mad laughter… out loud laughter and a taste of Texas right here in Virginia.
In case you’re wondering… my elegant little friend did indeed nod off (how in the world I’ll never know) and I did give her a little nudge. She thanked me and at the end of the play she wished me luck and gave me a sweet smile. She didn’t realize she was my date, but she was all the same.
Editor’s Note: Info on tickets to Nice People Dancing here. Don’t forget we offer a discount on tickets with our Savvy Saver Card, which you can obtain free. The VA Repertory Theatre is an advertiser of Richmondmom.com.
