Offerings include To Kill A Mockingbird, Fiddler on the Roof,
Shrek the Musical, Scott Wichmann as George Burns, the 350th Anniversary of Tartuffe, plus Award-Winning New Dramas
Richmond, VA – Virginia Repertory Theatre is excited to announce its new titles for the 2013/14 Season. Bruce Miller, Artistic Director of Virginia Rep, considers the upcoming roster to be diverse and dynamic. “As we approach the first anniversary of the merger of Barksdale and Theatre IV, we’re enjoying a real and palpable energy at Virginia Rep—the thrill of new beginnings. Pride is building around our goal of becoming a regional theatre of national standing. That pride is reflected in a season of new works, regional premieres, iconic musicals, and a celebration of the classics.”
After a year of transition, the upcoming season at Virginia Rep will bring a new focus on audience engagement through increased community collaborations, online video content, interviews with theatre artists, and pre- and post-show conversations. All Signature Season productions will be staged at the historic November Theatre. The season announcement coincides with the full renovation of the façade highlighting the architectural details of the 100 year-old building and contributing to the transformation of Richmond’s newly designated Arts District.
“Few things reflect the life of a community more than the quality and diversity of its homegrown cultural offerings. At Virginia Rep we’re privileged to engage in a vital conversation with an ever growing, discerning audience. In sync with the heartbeat of our great city, we perform live before over 180,000 metro residents each year.”
Virginia Rep’s Signature Season begins with the timeless American classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, and ushers in the holidays with the renowned Broadway musical, Fiddler on the Roof. Tartuffe, the greatest and best known play from French theater master Moliere, will celebrate its 350th Anniversary in 2014, and fill the November Theatre with laughter in February. Other Desert Cities, a finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in drama, will introduce rising playwright Jon Robin Baitz to the Greater Richmond audience. The joyous, rousing musical adaptation of The Color Purple will conclude the Signature Season.
The Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern celebrates its 60th anniversary this fall with the poignant and highly entertaining bio-play about legendary comedian George Burns, Say Goodnight Gracie, starring Scott Wichmann. Two Hanover shows will be world premieres – Bruce Miller’s A Lug Nuts Christmas and Bo Wilson’s The Charitable Sisterhood of the Second Trinity Victory Church. A revival of the hilarious Off Broadway hit, Olympus on My Mind, will charm a new generation of patrons.
The Children’s Theatre of Virginia, another part of Virginia Rep, kicks off its season announcement with the dedication of its new signage on April 10. All children’s shows, including the blockbusting Shrek the Musical will be staged at Willow Lawn. In addition to Shrek, children and family offerings include the internationally acclaimed Cashore Marionettes, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, and Go, Dog. Go! The family friendly lobby with coloring tables, the intimate theatre, and post-show actor “meet ‘n greets” have been enthusiastically embraced by young audiences and families. An increase in online content this year will include interviews with favorite characters and solid educational material. The Children’s Theatre also will continue its acclaimed work in children’s and family literacy through collaborations with the Shops at Willow Lawn, Richmond area public and private schools, and the Richmond Public Libraries.
Virginia Rep is delighted to strengthen its partnership with Cadence Theatre Company. The upcoming Theatre Gym season of bold, contemporary, award-winning plays will feature two of the most widely staged new plays in the country – Clydbourne Park, winner of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and 2012 Tony Award for Best Play, and Good People, winner of the 2011 New York Drama Critics Circle for Best Play. The third Cadence play, Detroit, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2011 and recently ended a successful Off-Broadway run following its world premiere at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago.
Subscriptions and packages are currently available for all seasons. Single tickets will go on sale July 1.
For pricing and package information visit www.va-rep.org or call 282-2620.
Virginia Repertory Theatre Season 2013/14
Signature Season
Marjorie Arenstein Stage at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre
114 West Broad Street
To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee, adapted by Christopher Sergel
Directed by Rusty Wilson
September 26 – October 20, 2013
Fiddler on the Roof
Book by Joseph Stein, Music by Jerry Bock, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Directed by Richard Parrison
November 21, 2013 – January 12, 2014
Tartuffe
By Moliere, In celebration of the 350th Anniversary!
Directed by Bruce Miller
February 13 – March 9, 2014
Other Desert Cities
By Jon Robin Baitz
Directed by Chase Kniffen
Called the best new play on Broadway by The New York Times and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Other Desert Cities has it all – sharp wit, unearthed secrets and scintillating family drama.
April 24 – May 18, 2014
The Color Purple
Based upon the novel written by Alice Walker, Book by Marsha Norman
Music and Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray
Directed by Chase Kniffen
June 19 – August 4, 2014
Cadence Theatre Company in partnership with Virginia Repertory Theatre
Theatre Gym at Virginia Rep Center
114 West Broad Street
Good People
By David Lindsay-Abaire
Directed by Anna Johnson
October 17 – November 9, 2013
Clydbourne Park
By Bruce Norris
Directed by Keri Wormald
February 20 – March 15, 2014
Detroit
By Lisa D’Amour
Directed by Anna Johnson
May 1 – May 24, 2014
Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern
13181 Hanover Courthouse Road
Hanover Virginia, 23069
Say Goodnight Gracie
The Life, Laughter and Love of George Burns and Gracie Allen
By Rupert Holmes
Starring Scott Wichmann
September 20 – November 3, 2013
A Lug Nuts Christmas
The Doo Wop Holiday Musical
By Bruce Craig Miller
Musical Arrangements by Jason Marks
November 29, 2013 – January 5, 2014
Olympus on My Mind
Music by Grant Sturiale, Book and Lyrics by Barry Harman
Set on Mount Olympus, this hilarious musical comedy retells the ancient Amphitryon legend.
January 31 – March 16, 2014
The Charitable Sisterhood of the Second Trinity Victory Church
Join five angels of mercy in this ridiculously funny and heartwarming World Premiere.
By Bo Wilson
July 18 – August 24, 2014
Children’s Theatre of Virginia Season at Willow Lawn
1601 Willow Lawn Drive
Richmond, VA 23230
Cashore Marionettes (ages 4 and up)
This world-renowned marionette company will entertain audiences of all ages. Visit www.cashoremarionettes.com for a sneak peak at this amazing art form.
October 2 – October 13, 2013
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (ages 4 and up)
Brunch with Snow Bear and Characters every Saturday in December!
This musical holiday favorite is based on the true story of how Clement C. Moore came to write this classic Christmas story.
By Bruce Craig Miller
November 29 – December 29, 2013
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad (ages 7 and up)
Based on the true story of Harriet Tubman, this musical brings history alive.
By Douglas Jones
January 31 – February 2, 2014
Shrek the Musical (ages 4 and up – even adults and older kids LOVE Shrek)
CTV PACKAGE HOLDERS GET PRIORITY FOR SHREK TICKETS!
Music by Jeanine Tesori, Book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire
Based on the 2001 DreamWorks film and the book by William Steig
March 14 – April 28, 2014
Go, Dog. Go! (ages 3 – 8)
Based on the book by P.D. Eastman
Book by Steven Dietz and Allison Gregory, music and lyrics by Michael Koemer
July 8 – August 3, 2014
About Virginia Repertory Theatre
Virginia Repertory Theatre, located in Richmond, VA, combines the talents and strengths of two nonprofit companies that shared facilities, resources, and management teams for over a decade. Now the heritages of Barksdale Theatre (founded in 1953) and Theatre IV (founded in 1975) live on in their new form, as Central Virginia’s leading professional theatre company. Virginia Rep presents national caliber productions of the great dramas, comedies, and musicals including classics, contemporary works, and world premieres, always seeking to demonstrate the unique power of theatre to engage, enthrall, educate, and inspire. Productions are staged at four distinct venues: the November Theatre and Theatre Gym at the downtown Virginia Rep Center, the Children’s Theatre of Virginia located at Willow Lawn, and Hanover Tavern.
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