Richmond, VA

 

Revised: 8/15/08

Season Information


The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen Celebrates its Ten Year Anniversary in its Upcoming Season

The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen is pleased to announce its second Center Season which also marks the tenth anniversary for The Center. Following the trend of the first Center Season, this one will continue to include dance, music, family fun and theatre performances. In celebration of its tenth anniversary, this year’s season will also include patrons’ favorite performances from past years. New for this year are a variety of subscription packages based on similar performances, as well as the ever popular Pick Your Own Package.

More complete descriptions and information is available on our website www.artsglenallen.com

The season is as follows:

 September

Saturday, September 6, 5pm. Theatre– Capitol Steps – Political satirical comedy.

 

October

Saturday, October 11, 7pm. Dance – K Dance: Dance-Theatre-Conversations – contemporary modern dance that incorporates monologues and scenes from plays as well as conversation at the conclusion of the performance. 

Saturday, October 25, 7pm. Music – Roger McGuinn – Co-founder of the ‘60s group The Byrds.

Thursday, October 30, 10am. Family Fun – The Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats – Matinee performance of acrobatic feats of daring and balance geared toward young patrons.   

Thursday, October 30, 7pm. Theatre – The Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats – Color and pageantry of this skillful art form will dazzle the audience.

 

December

Saturday, December 6, 4:30-5:45pm. Special Event - Tenth Annual Tree Lighting – Join in the tradition of carols, a bonfire and the lighting of a 60 ft. cedar tree along with a visit by ole’ St. Nick.

Wednesday, December 17, 2:30 and 7pm. Music – The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra – Big band music with a holiday flair.

Saturday, December 20, 11am and 1pm. Family Fun – Theatre IV on Tour presents ‘Twas the Night before Christmas– An area-exclusive public performance of this holiday classic.

 

January

Saturday, January 17, 7pm. Music – Jay Ungar & Molly Mason – American acoustic music.

Sunday, January 25, 2pm. Family Fun – Justin Roberts - Children’s singer/songwriter.

Friday, January 30, 7pm. Theatre – A Night of Broadway and Opera with Cathy Motley-Fitch – Musical revue of songs from all-time favorite Broadway shows and operas.

 

March

Saturday, March 7, 7pm. Music – George Winston – Contemporary pianist best known for his melodic folk piano style.

Monday, March 9 & Tuesday, March 10, 7pm. Theatre – Gilligan’s Island, The MusicalAmerica’s most beloved TV show returns as a musical featuring pop cultural icon Barry Williams (Greg Brady in The Brady Bunch).

Saturday, March 14 – Sunday, March 15. 10am-5pm Saturday, noon-5pm Sunday. Special Event –  Arts Celebration – Interactive two day event celebrating literary, visual and performing arts.

  

April

Thursday, April 23, 7pm. Dance – Eleone Dance Theatre – Contemporary urban dance that is passionate, spirited and totally urban.
Friday, April 24, 10am. Family Fun Eleone Dance Theatre – Matinee performance for school age student exploring the art of contemporary urban dance.

 

May

Saturday, May 9, 10am and 11:30am. Family Fun Theatre IV on Tour presents Jungle Book – An area-exclusive public performance of this time honored adventure of young Mowgli as he learns the laws of the jungle. 

 

June

Saturday, June 13, 5pm & 8pm. Music1964…The Tribute – “The #1 Beatles Show in the World.”

Friday, June 26, 10am.  Family FunEzibu Muntu African Dance – Dance and music of the African culture in this performance designed for young patrons.

Saturday, June 27, 7pm.  DanceEzibu Muntu African Dance – Timeless African traditions of dance, song and rhythm.

 Subscription packages are on sale beginning the month of July. Information on the subscription packages is available on The Center website: www.artsglenallen.com or by calling the box office at (804)261-ARTS (2787). Individual ticket sales begin August 1.

The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen is dedicated to inspiring creativity and stimulating the senses through music, dance, art and theatre. The Center is a private, non-profit organization, managed and maintained by The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen Foundation and Board of Directors.  For more information, call 804-261-ARTS (2787) or visit the Center at 2880 Mountain Road, Glen Allen 23060, just off I-295 at the Woodman Road south exit.


ANNOUNCING SWIFT CREEK MILL THEATRE'S 2008-2009 SEASON

SIDE SHOW
Book and Lyrics by Bill Russell
Music by Henry Krieger
September 4 - October 25

A TUNA CHRISTMAS
By Ed Howard, Joe Sears, Jaston Williams
November 13 - January 10

OF MICE AND MEN
By John Steinbeck
January 29 - March 14

Altar Boyz
Music and Lyrics by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker
Book by Kevin Del Aguila
April 2 - May 20

BLUES IN THE NIGHT
Conceived by Sheldon Epps
Music by Bessie Smith, Duke Ellington, Harold Arlen, & Johnny Mercer
offnights May 11 - May 30 (subscriber bonus)

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE
By Joseph Kesserling
June 18 - August 1


STAGE 1 IS RICHMOND’S NEWEST THEATRE COMPANY

New on the scene – Stage 1 Theatre Company is thrilled to join Richmond’s stellar array of professional theatres. Founded by Artistic Director Chase Kniffen, Stage 1 will present an inaugural season – beginning Fall 2008 - of four works that will enlighten, entertain and exhilarate the human spirit.

08/09 Inaugural Season Just Announced

tick, tick… BOOM!
Words and Music by Jonathan Larson
RICHMOND PREMIERE
November 7 – November 22, 2008

Children’s Letters to God - a new musical
Book by Stuart Hample
Music by David Evans
Lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen
REGIONAL PREMIERE
February 6 – February 21, 2009

Normal – a musical of hope and survival
Book by Yvonne Adrian
Lyrics by Cheryl Stern
Music by Tom Kochan
REGIONAL PREMIERE
April 3 – April 18, 2009

Summer of ‘42 - a new musical
Music by David Kirshenbaum
Book by Hunter Foster
based upon the novel and screenplay by Herman Raucher
RICHMOND PREMIERE
June 19 – July 11, 2009

Contact Information

Phone
804.427.7548

Web-Site
www.stage1va.org

Address
9130 Dickey Drive
Mechanicsville, VA 23116


Richmond Triangle Players 2008 - 2009 Season

Richmond Triangle Players is excited to announce their 2008-09 subscriber season, beginning September 17, 2008.The first show is a U.S. premier of a wildly popular Australian script, "Four Queens Wearing Hawaiian Shirts". The season has a lot to offer our diverse audience including comedy, music, fantasy and a lot of fun. Of particular interest will be our production of "Altar Boyz", which has been playing to sell outs in New York City for four years. Michael Gooding, Managing Director, describes "Altar Boyz" as "the most asked for show by our patrons for the past two years. We have been trying to get the rights to perform this delightful musical comedy, but it has not been available. When we got the e-mail earlier this year that it would be available starting January, 2009, we immediately signed a contract and sent our check." "We are particularly pleased to be producting "Altar Boyz" as our entry in the Richmond Acts of Faith Festival. "Visiting Mr. Green", in this year's festival was the jewel of our just ended season, and we are excited to be including "Altar Boyz" festival next year," he said.Each production will run 4 weeks, with Season Tickets available for all five shows at $95, a substantial discount off the per ticket price of $25. Individual tickets for Thursday nights and Sunday matinees will be $20. Tickets can be ordered through the Players' website, www.RTriangle.org or by calling the RTP Hotline at 804-346-8113. Richmond Triangle Players has performed for the past 15 years at Fieldens Cabaret Theatre, 2033 W. Broad Street, Richmond.


announcing . . . . Barksdale Theatre’s 2008-2009 Signature Season

Tickets and Information: www.BarksdaleRichmond.org, telephone (804) 282-2620, or visit our Box Office at 1601 Willow Lawn Drive in Richmond. Subscriptions are on sale now, with full season subscription packages from $125 to $320. Single tickets go on sale July 22, 2008.

NEW for the 2008-2009 Barksdale season: an American Sign Language interpreted performance for each of our five upcoming shows. . . a first in Richmond theatre!

Barksdale's 2008-09 Signature Season:

THE CLEAN HOUSE
by Sarah Ruhl
September 26 – November 2, 2008
Presented at Barksdale Theatre’s Willow Lawn location
Sign Interpreted: Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 2 PM
In this funny and poignant look at laughter and the true nature of love, a married couple hire a Brazilian housekeeper named Matilde who’s more interested in comedy than cleaning. Lane, the lady of the house, has an eccentric sister named Virginia who’s nuts about cleaning. She and Matilde become friends, and Virginia cleans while Matilde crafts the perfect joke. Trouble comes when Lane’s husband falls in love with another woman. In The Clean House, “the messes and disappointments of life are as much a part of its beauty as romantic love and chocolate ice cream, and a perfect punch line can be as sublime as the most wrenchingly lovely aria.” — NY Times. Suggested for ages 16 and up.
The Clean House is part of the Sarah Ruhl Festival - The Firehouse Theatre Project will be presenting Eurydice, an inventive take on the Orpheus myth opening September 18th, 2008. Sarah Ruhl is among the most acclaimed and accomplished young playwrights on the contemporary scene. We encourage you to attend Eurydice and join us in celebrat­ing one of the most exciting new voices in American Theatre. A special discount for Eurydice of $17 per ticket is available for Barksdale subscribers. Call the Firehouse at (804)355-2001 to purchase tickets and mention that you are a Barksdale Subscriber.

THIS WONDERFUL LIFE
by Steve Murray; Conceived by Mark Setlock
November 28, 2008 - January 11, 2009
Presented at Barksdale Theatre’s Willow Lawn location
Sign Interpreted: Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 2 PM
In a delightful re-imagining of Frank Capra’s classic film, It’s a Wonderful Life, the versatile and talented Scott Wichmann portrays Bedford Falls' famous citizens in a one man tour de force. There’s family man George Bailey, miserly Mr. Potter, Clarence the dotty angel, devoted Mary and many more in this story of a broken man on a bridge who finds his way back home on Christmas Eve. Brimming with hope and humor, This Wonderful Life reminds us of the power of friendship and family just in time for the holiday season. Suggested for ages 12 and up.

CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD
by Mark Medoff
February 6 - March 22, 2009
Presented at Barksdale Theatre’s Willow Lawn location
Sign Interpreted: Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 2 PM
Winner of the Tony Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award and the Drama Desk Award, this deeply moving play details the romance of a sensitive but spirited deaf woman and the devoted (and hearing) young teacher whom she meets at a school for the deaf. When we first produced this show in the early 80’s, we sold out the entire run prior to opening night. “An unexpected find,” raves the New York Times. “A play unlike any other and immensely likable in its self-assertion.” Don’t miss this extraordinary theatrical triumph. Suggested for ages 16 and up.

WELL
by Lisa Kron
April 17 - May 24, 2009
Presented at Barksdale Theatre’s Willow Lawn location
Sign Interpreted: Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 2 PM
Well is a fantastic and funny exploration of health, community and that mother/daughter push/pull we all know and love. Lisa just wants to put on a nice, orderly play about growing up and how she was cured of her allergies. But her mother, watching from her La-Z-Boy, keeps offering snacks to the audience and interrupting with her version of events. Soon Lisa loses control of her autobiography when the actors she hired to help tell the tale begin siding with her mom, and a bully from elementary school crashes the narrative. “Wonderful and delirious. Well has warmth and accessibility that make you want to recommend it to everyone.” - The New York Times. Suggested for ages 12 and up.

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
Book by Richard Henry Morris; Music by Jeanine Tesori; New Lyrics by Dick Scanlan
June 13 - August 9, 2009
· presented at The Empire Theatre, 114 West Broad Street in Richmond
Sign Interpreted: Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 2 PM
It’s the roaring twenties, and small town Millie Dillmount arrives in New York to see how the other half lives, but what starts out as a bold declaration of her independence quickly turns into a whirlwind of money, romance, kidnapping and tap-dancing stenographers - all leading to a surprise ending that could only happen in NYC! With jazzy songs and bright dance numbers, Millie took Broadway by storm and won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2002. Don’t miss this evening of merriment and comedy. Suggested for ages 12 and up.


Modlin Center for the Arts at the University of Richmond announces its 2008-09 Season

Reduced Shakespeare Company

The Complete History of America (abridged): Special Election Edition

Thursday, September 18, 2008, 7:30 pm

Friday, September 19, 2008, 8 pm

Alice Jepson Theatre

Sponsored in part by The Mayo Arts Fund

 “What the The Daily Show might be like if it were hosted by the Marx Brothers.” —Boston Herald

 Six hundred years of history in 6000 seconds! From Washington to Watergate—yea, verily—from the Bering Straits to Baghdad, from New World to New World Order, the three cultural guerillas of the Reduced Shakespeare Company (RSC) will take you on a rollercoaster ride through the glorious quagmire known as American history. The RSC tackles such controversial questions as: Who really discovered America? How many Democrats does it take to screw in a light bulb? Don’t be fooled by those historical accounts purveyed by members of the winners’ circle. RSC knows the real deal. The “Bad Boys of Abridgment” return to Richmond just in time to ruffle the establishment’s feathers and take on the wild, wacky world of politics in this special election edition.

Tickets: $38 adults, $36 seniors, $19 children

On-Sale Date: August 25, 2008

 

 Aquila Theatre Company

Peter Meineck, producing artistic director

The Iliad

By Homer

Tuesday, September 30, 2008, 7:30 pm

Alice Jepson Theatre

 “A performance of staggering power.” The New York Times

 Great works of art earn their distinction because they remain forever relevant, evoking within us kindred responses that transcend time and place. There can be no doubt that Homer’s Iliad—the poet’s account of Achilles and the Trojan War—is one of the greatest works in the opus of world literature. Today, the power of Homer’s epic poem, written more than 2500 years ago, remains undiminished. The Aquila Theatre Company’s stage version of The Iliad has been described by The New York Times as “stunning, stirring and memorable.” Refashioned as a play, Homer’s tale becomes an action-packed, thought-provoking drama, combining ritualistic movement, original music and superb acting—all enhanced by Stanley Lombardo’s expert translation. Like the company’s Julius Caesar and Twelfth Night, Aquila’s innovative Iliad is immediately engaging and will be long remembered.

Tickets: $34 adults, $32 seniors, $17 children

On-Sale Date: September 2, 2008

  

David Sedaris, author and humorist

Monday, October 6, 2008, 7:30 pm

Richmond’s Landmark Theater

Contains adult themes and language

 “Brutally honest and brilliantly eloquent, Sedaris is positively tonic.” Booklist

 For those who relish laughing until your stomach hurts or rolling, teary-eyed with hilarity, in the aisle—no need to fear public humiliation, you’ll have plenty of company—David Sedaris is back. His sold-out, rip-roaringly funny performance at the Landmark Theater in 2006 was so popular that it left our audiences begging for more. Happily, we managed to book a return engagement with Sedaris, just in time for the release of his latest collection of essays, When You Are Engulfed in Flames. One of the most original comedic talents on the scene today, Sedaris is renowned for his wry narratives about family, friends and those chance encounters with strangers. While Sedaris’ writing makes for a supremely satisfying, belly-aching good read, his stage delivery heightens the gratification a hundred-fold.

 Tickets: $28-$38 with discounts for seniors & children; through Ticketmaster at (804) 262-8100 or ticketmaster.com

On-Sale Date: August 18, 2008

  

University of Richmond Department of Theatre and Dance & Theatre IV present

Saratov Academic Youth Theatre

The Humpbacked Horse

Friday, October 17, 2008, 7 pm

Sunday, October 19, 2008, 2 pm

Empire Theatre, Theatre IV, 114 West Broad Street, Richmond

Performed in Russian with English surtitles

 At Theatre IV’s Empire Theatre, the Saratov Academic Youth Theatre—the world’s oldest theatre committed to plays for young audiences—will perform its own adaptation of the famed Russian folktale The Humpbacked Horse. This classic Russian fable has been translated into numerous languages, was the inspiration for the famed Bolshoi Ballet production of the same title and was the source for an award-winning English adaptation by author Elizabeth Mahoney Winthrop. The Humpbacked Horse tells of the adventures of Ivan, a young peasant who, through kindness and the help of his faithful and magical “humpbacked horse,” accomplishes the impossible by capturing numerous magical beasts, winning the love of the beautiful Tsarina and finally becoming the Tsar of all Russia. This captivating story has entertained youth of all ages, while the ballet version has been performed around the world.

 For more information or to purchase tickets, call (804) 344-8040 or visit theatreIVrichmond.org.

 

University of Richmond Department of Theatre and Dance & Theatre IV present

Saratov Academic Youth Theatre

Uncle’s Dream

By Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Saturday, October 18, 2008, 7:30 pm

Alice Jepson Theatre

Performed in Russian with English surtitles

 The critically acclaimed and world-renowned Saratov Academic Youth Theatre will perform its adaptation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s famous comic novella, Uncle’s Dream, for older audiences (ages 12 and up). In this play, Dostoyevsky satirizes the attitudes and manners of provincial ne’er-do-wells while entertaining audiences with a farcical plot and zany characters. Although Dostoyevsky is not typically known for his comedies, this lively adaptation of his story about a social-climbing mother who tries to arrange a marriage for her beautiful daughter to a very rich old man proves Dostoyevsky a master of rich satire and broad farcical humor. Of course, the mother’s plans are thwarted by her daughter’s true love who convinces the old man, his uncle, that the marriage proposal was all a bad dream.

Tickets: $15 adults, $12 seniors/students, $6 children

On-Sale Date: September 19, 2008

  

Monday Night World Theatre presents

A dramatic reading of Sixteen Wounded

By Eliam Kraiem

Directed by Donna E. Coghill

Monday, October 27, 2008, 7:30 pm

Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 7:30 pm

Cousins Studio Theatre

Sponsored in part the Cultural Affairs Committee, the Department of Political Science and the Department of Religion

 “Kraeim’s tender humanism leaves room for hope, even in a world more complicated than some would like to acknowledge.” —USA Today

 Told with humor and heart-wrenching honesty, Sixteen Wounded revolves around the fateful colliding of two seemingly disparate lives—a lonely, emotionally distant Jewish baker and a passionate, young Palestinian far from home. A friendship evolves as the two men struggle with their personal identities and their loyalties—to their past, their beliefs and, finally, to each other. But can this relationship stave off the inevitable?

 Tickets: $32 adults, $30 seniors, $16 children

On-Sale Date: September 29, 2008

 

L.A. Theatre Works

Susan Albert Loewenberg, producing director

War of the Worlds
By H.G. Wells, adapted by Howard Koch

The Lost World
By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, adapted by John de Lancie and Nat Sagaloff

Starring actors from the Sci-Fi Channel, Star Trek and X-Files

Wednesday, October 29, 2008, 7:30 pm

Camp Concert Hall, Booker Hall of Music

“…the words click with sharp intelligence.” —The Day

Join L.A. Theatre Works (LATW), America’s premiere radio theatre company, for a special double bill of chills and thrills as it presents two masterpieces of science fiction and adventure: War of the Worlds and The Lost World. Recreating the breathless pace of Orson Welles’ historic radio broadcast, LATW makes it clear why H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds is truly the mother of all space invasions.  In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World, follow a harrowing four-person scientific expedition deep into the Amazon jungle—and back in time. From riding the rapids to dodging arrows, The Lost World will take you on a ride you won’t soon forget!

Tickets: $34 adults, $32 seniors, $17 children

On-Sale Date: October 1, 2008

 

L.A. Theatre Works

Susan Albert Loewenberg, producing director

War of the Worlds
By H.G. Wells, adapted by Howard Koch

Starring actors from the Sci-Fi Channel, Star Trek and X-Files

Wednesday, October 29, 2008, Midnight

Camp Concert Hall, Booker Hall of Music

Presented in partnership with the University Players & Dancers and UR’s own improv group, Subject to Change

In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the original radio broadcast, join L.A. Theatre Works (LATW), America’s premiere radio theatre company for a special midnight performance of War of the Worlds. Recreating the breathless pace of Orson Welles’ historic radio broadcast, LATW makes it clear why H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds is truly the mother of all space invasions. Come dressed in your favorite sci-fi costume! Visit our Web site at modlin.richmond.edu for more details as they become available.

Tickets: $34 adults, $32 seniors, $17 children

On-Sale Date: October 1, 2008

  

An Evening with New York Times Columnist Frank Rich:
On Art, Culture & Politics

Monday, November 10, 2008, 7:30 pm

Camp Concert Hall, Booker Hall of Music

“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” —George Orwell

What do you get when you combine an in-depth knowledge of theatre with a keen understanding of America’s political scene? The answer: Frank Rich, op-ed columnist for The New York Times. Rich has proven himself true to the journalistic integrity so often lacking in today’s crop of media pundits. His unvarnished insights on the current state of the union coupled with his lifelong involvement in culture and the arts provide a refreshing perspective on America in the first decade of a new millennium. If your appetite craves food for thought enhanced by controversy—that spice of life—then you won’t want to miss this post-election evening with Frank Rich, the man who so eloquently “tells it like it is.”

Tickets: $36 adults, $34 seniors, $18 children

On-Sale Date: October 13, 2008

  

University of Richmond Department of Theatre and Dance presents

The Skin of our Teeth

By Thornton Wilder

Directed by Dorothy Holland

Saturday, November 15, 2008, 7:30 pm

Sunday, November 16, 2008, 2 pm

Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 7:30 pm

Thursday, November 20, 2008, 7:30 pm

Friday, November 21, 2008, 7:30 pm

Saturday, November 22, 2008, 7:30 pm

Alice Jepson Theatre 

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, The Skin of our Teeth is the satiric story of the extraordinary Antrobus family through the ages. This family has survived flood, fire, pestilence, the ice age, a dozen wars and as many depressions. Ultimately bewitched, befuddled and becalmed, they are the stuff of which heroes and buffoons are made. Their survival is a wacky testament of faith in humanity. The New York Herald Tribune calls it “wonderfully wise...A tremendously exciting and profound stage fable.” Don’t miss this highly theatrical, wickedly funny production of Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of our Teeth.

Tickets: $15 adults, $12 seniors/students, $6 children

On-Sale Date: October 17, 2008

 

Horrible Harry

Based on books by Suzy Kline

Adapted for the stage by James Larson

Produced by the Omaha Theater Company

Saturday, November 22, 2008, 11 am & 1 pm

Camp Concert Hall, Booker Hall of Music

Presented by the Modlin Center for the Arts and the Greater Richmond Alumni Chapter of the University of Richmond

 “I was absolutely thrilled to learn that Artistic Director James Larson was bringing the “Horrible Harry” series to the stage. It was a joy to read his scripts and see how respectful he was with the text and characters.” —Suzy Kline, author

 Harry may be horrible, but audiences are sure to find his transition from page to the stage entertaining! This delightful world premiere production, adapted for the stage by Omaha Theater Company’s artistic director James Larson, features favorite stories from the popular book series by Suzy Kline. Fun loving and full of mischief, Harry is always the center of attention with his nonstop pranks and antics. When his sworn enemy, Sydney, accidentally kills Harry’s pet spider, Harry takes out his revenge on her during the school field trip to the scary prison and creepy copper mine. Recommended for ages 4-12.

 Tickets: All tickets $12

On-Sale Date: October 24, 2008

  

Garrison Keillor, author and humorist

with Robin and Linda Williams

Sunday, January 18, 2009, 7:30 pm

Richmond’s Landmark Theater

Sponsored in part by the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation and the Edgar Allan Poe Museum

“Keillor fans can expect plenty of wry commentary from the towering humorist.” —St. Petersburg Times (Florida)

 “…vocally and instrumentally, the Williamses combine impeccable musical discipline with a bare simplicity and an utter lack of pretension.” —The New York Times

 Prepare for a rollicking evening of fun, laughter, poetry and music as storyteller extraordinaire Garrison Keillor and musicians Robin and Linda Williams take the stage at Richmond’s Landmark Theater. Keillor’s comic, homespun narratives, the cornerstone of his weekly “ A Prairie Home Companion” radio broadcasts, will be featured as part of this magical evening presented to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe. As a columnist, novelist, poetry lover and musician, Keillor has established a respected reputation in popular and critical circles worldwide. For this special Richmond program, Keillor is joined by his long-time radio collaborators, bluegrass masters Robin and Linda Williams.

 Tickets: $28-$38 with discounts for seniors & children; through Ticketmaster at (804) 262-8100 or ticketmaster.com

On-Sale Date: December 16, 2008

  

Cirque Éloize: Nebbia

Written and Directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca

Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 7:30 pm

Wednesday, January 28, 2009, 5 & 8:30 pm

Alice Jepson Theatre

Sponsored in part by the Quigg Endowment

“It’s not just the circus. It’s pure poetry.” —La Parisien

 At the crossroads where acrobatic theatre, modern circus and performance come together, Nebbia (Italian for “fog”) combines theatrics, rhythm, acrobatic skills, circus acts and poetry. Following Nomade and Rain, Nebbia completes the trilogy dedicated to the sky. The fog takes center stage. Everything becomes possible and reality is transformed into dream when “the sky descends like a mantle to cover our shoulders and protect our dreams.” Emotion and sensuality assume a pivotal position alongside music and singing in the process collaboratively embraced by Cirque Éloize and Teatro Sunil. The musical score for this new creation becomes a character in its own right, engaging in a dialogue with the on-stage performers.

 Tickets: $38 adults, $36 seniors, $19 children

On-Sale Date: December 17, 2008

 

An Evening with Stephen Sondheim:

A Conversation Hosted by Frank Rich

Monday, February 2, 2009, 7:30 pm

Richmond’s Landmark Theater

 “The greatest and perhaps best known artist in the American musical theater…” —The New York Times

Stephen Sondheim is widely acknowledged as the most innovative, most influential and most important composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. His prodigious output is equally matched by its excellence. Sondheim has written the music and lyrics for memorable musicals that include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods and Bounce, as well as providing lyrics for West Side Story, Gypsy, Do I Hear A Waltz? and Candide. If you’re eager to spend an evening with a living legend, Sondheim’s your man. New York Times columnist and theatre guru Frank Rich will be on hand to facilitate the dialogue.

 Tickets: $28-$38 with discounts for seniors & children; through Ticketmaster at (804) 262-8100 or ticketmaster.com

On-Sale Date: December 18, 2008

  

University of Richmond Department of Theatre and Dance presents

“Imagine”

University Dancers Annual Spring Concert

Celebrating 24 Years

Directed by Myra Steinberg Daleng

Friday, February 27, 2009, 7:30 pm

Saturday, February 28, 2009, 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 1, 2009, 2 pm

Alice Jepson Theatre

 Let your imagination soar as the University Dancers celebrate 24 years of dance. Be captivated with the imaginative use of movement, music and lights when you see this company of young, inspired dancers with talent, discipline, excitement and a passionate commitment to dance. Form mental images as you watch innovative repertory that blends ballet, modern, jazz and tap in a concert that will be sure to delight the senses. This year’s performances will showcase choreography with live music by the Grammy Award-winning ensemble eighth blackbird. Internationally renowned choreographer Robert Battle returns for the fourth year to create a dynamic new work. The performances also feature premieres by Director of Dance Myra Daleng and Assistant Director of Dance Anne Van Gelder. This is a concert for all ages and an opportunity to be moved by the dance!

 Tickets: $15 adults, $12 seniors/students, $6 children

On-Sale Date: January 30, 2009

 

eighth blackbird

Slide

World Premiere by Rinde Eckert & Steve Mackey

Rinde Eckert, actor/singer

Steve Mackey, composer/performer

Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 7:30 pm

Camp Concert Hall, Booker Hall of Music

Sponsored in part by the Department of Music

“eighth blackbird play like musicians possessed; excited by the new, determined that their audiences will be too, they take wing, soaring on an upthrust of precision-tooled virtuousity.” —BBC Music Magazine

 “Eckert, with his lustrous eyes, gleaming bald dome, and big, ringing voice, is one of our theater’s most commanding presences.” —The Village Voice

 “Mackey’s extended, ambitious work initially splinters everything you thought you knew about music.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer

 Dedicated to debunking the myth that “modern” music is an academic genre, accessible only to the privileged few, eighth blackbird celebrates the universality of the repertoire with such exuberance and virtuosity that its performances hold the listener spellbound long after the curtain falls. In its second concert of the season, eighth blackbird continues its inclusive pursuit of the best in new music and avant-garde theater with Slide. Commissioned by the Modlin Center, Slide is a concert-length work that features actor/singer Rinde Eckert and composer/performer Steve Mackey. Eckert plays Renard, an enigmatic psychologist who struggles to describe an experiment examining reactions to in- and out-of-focus slides. The results reveal that our decisions are based on habits that render it difficult for us to see clearly. In positing the experiment for today’s world, where persuasive images are used to sell commodities or politics, Slide explores the seduction and manipulation of the American psyche.

Tickets: $20 adults, $18 seniors, $10 children

On-Sale Date: February 25, 2009

 

University of Richmond Department of Theatre and Dance presents

How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying

Book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert

Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser

Directed by Walter Schoen

Choreographed by Myra Daleng

Musical Direction by Jeffrey Riehl

Saturday, April 11, 2009, 7:30 pm

Sunday, April 12, 2009, 2 pm

Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 7:30 pm

Thursday, April 16, 2009, 7:30 pm

Friday, April 17, 2009, 7:30 pm

Saturday, April 18, 2009, 7:30 pm

Alice Jepson Theatre

This Broadway classic chronicles the meteoric rise of J. Pierrepont Finch, who starts out as a window washer and winds up in the executive suite, all with the help of a less-than-scrupulous “how-to” book. In the wacky corporate headquarters of the World Wide Wicket Corporation, we meet a host of memorable characters that includes the company president, who is a closet knitter and devoted Groundhog alum from Old Ivy College; a curvaceous secretary whose typing speed of 12 words per minute almost matches her IQ; and the president’s scheming nephew, who knows the fastest way to make it to the top is to spy on his uncle. We are still humming the songs that audiences of the original production enjoyed years ago and that contemporary theatre-goers applauded in the award-winning revival starring Matthew Broderick. These songs, such as “I Believe in You” and “The Brotherhood of Man,” are still capable of setting toes tapping while making us smile at their comic twists and satirical turns. How to Succeed is a fun-filled look at corporate life, as enjoyable and meaningful in today’s world of multi-national corporations as it was originally in the age of the “corporate man”!

 Tickets: $18 adults, $15 seniors/students, $6 children

On-Sale Date: March 16, 2009

 Ticket Information:

Subscriptions are on sale beginning June 2. The Modlin Center offers a pick-and-choose package: pick 5 or more events to create a customized package. Events range in price from $11-32 for adult subscribers. Discounts are available for seniors 65+, children 12 and under and University of Richmond employees and students.

Tickets to the two scheduled family events, Horrible Harry and Dan Zanes and Friends, are available for pre-sale only to subscribers.

Subscriptions can be ordered by visiting the Modlin Center Box Office or calling (804) 289-8980. Order forms can be downloaded as PDFs from the Modlin Center Web site at http://modlin.richmond.edu/office.

Single tickets go on sale approximately four weeks prior to each event through the Modlin Center Box Office, (804) 289-8980, or Ticketmaster, (804) 262-8100, for events at Richmond's Landmark Theater only. Beginning June 1st, view individual events on the Modlin Center Web site for exact dates.


Richmond-based Henley Street Theatre Company Announces 2008-09 Season

Henley Street Theatre Company today announces an exciting schedule of shows for its second season, beginning in September of 2008. As in the inaugural season, the performances are being presented at The Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center. Henley Street is thrilled to announce that the 2008-09 season opens with Scott Wichmann playing the famous villain in Shakespeare’s Richard III. The new season follows a successful inaugural 2007-08 season for Henley Street Theatre Company. The 2008-09 schedule is as follows:

Richard III by William Shakespeare

September 25, 2008 - October 18, 2008

“To entertain these fair well-spoken days, I am determined to prove a villain...”

After a long civil war between the royal families of York and Lancaster, England enjoys a period of peace under King Edward IV of the house of York.  However, Edward’s younger brother, Richard is resentful of Edward’s power and the happiness of those around him. Malicious, power-hungry, and embittered about his physical deformity, Richard begins to aspire secretly to the throne, resolving to kill anyone that gets in his way. 

 Shakespeare brings us his thrilling depiction of the final standoff in the infamous War of the Roses.  In doing so, he also offers us some of his most exciting language and a compelling portrait of a ruthless machiavel; a man of cunning and fierce ambition, who seduces, betrays and murders his way to the throne.

 Washington based director/actor James Ricks directs this historic tale in a contemporary context, staging the play in a way that satirizes the role of media in politics.  Presented shortly before our own presidential election, this play is sure to provoke spirited political  discussion. 

 Favorite to the Richmond stage, Scott Wichmann stars as Richard!


One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Dale Wasserman based on the novel by Ken Kesey

January 15, 2009 - January 31, 2009

“I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this.”

Prisoner Randle Patrick McMurphy declares himself insane so he'll be transferred to a mental institution, which he believes will be more comfortable than the jailhouse. McMurphy soon finds that his ward in the asylum is run with an iron fist by the domineering Nurse Ratched. McMurphy quickly flexes his individualist muscle in the ward, making a name for himself and causing trouble for the staff. During his stay he attempts to breathe life, masculinity, and individuality back into the submissive and emasculated patients.

 Boisterous, ribald, and ultimately shattering - the play explores the injustice of treatment on 'mentally ill' patients in the 1950s. The play is a staple of American theatre that will not soon be forgotten.  

Audiences may remember the movie version starring Jack Nicholson, which won the 1975 Academy Award for Best Picture.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard

March 12, 2009 - March 28, 2009

“Life in a box is better than no life at all, I expect. You'd have a chance, at least. You could lie there thinking, "Well. At least I'm not dead.”

This comedy, by Tom Stoppard, screenwriter of Shakespeare in Love, is sure to keep you laughing (and thinking) from beginning to end.

 The action follows the misadventures of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters from Shakespeare's Hamlet who are childhood friends of the Prince. While focusing on their actions, with the events of Hamlet as background, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead is structured as the inverse of Hamlet. The title characters are the leads, not minor players, and Hamlet himself has only a small part.

In Tom Stoppard's best-known work, this Shakespearean Laurel and Hardy finally get a chance to take the lead role, but do so in a world where echoes of Waiting For Godot resound, where reality and illusion intermix, and where fate leads our two heroes to a tragic but inevitable end.

This show will break with convention and feature an entire female cast!

True West by Sam Shepard

May 14, 2009 - May 30, 2009

"There's gonna be a general lack of toast in the neighborhood this morning."

True West is a story of the reunion of two brothers in their absent mother's California home. Austin is an Ivy League-educated script writer who has left his wife and kids in some northern state to try to sell his pedestrian movie script to a Hollywood producer. He's also house-sitting while his mother holidays in Alaska. Quite unexpectedly his brother Lee shows up dirty and unkempt from the desert where he seems to have been hiding out.

From their opening lines we sense an ominous undercurrent to this filial relationship. As they struggle to create the movie script, they gradually destroy their environment and finally each other.

The actors playing Austin and Lee will alternate roles throughout the run of the show, presenting an interesting challenge for the performers and a unique opportunity for the audience.

 
Performance Location

The Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center - 4901 Old Brook Road, Richmond, VA  23227

For more information on Pine Camp, please visit: http://www.ci.richmond.va.us/departments/parks/pine.aspx

 Reservations

Available by phone (804) 340-0115 or boxoffice@henleystreettheatre.org. We accept cash, credit cards or check as payment for tickets. Please make checks payable to Henley Street Theatre Company. Tickets are also available at the door or on-line at www.henleystreettheatre.org.

 Ticket Prices

$20 General Admission

$15 Students, R.A.P.T, and City of Richmond Workers

$10 Previews (All proceeds from preview performances go to charity) 

* Group rates available - please call the box office for information or e-mail us at boxoffice@henleystreettheatre.org.

 
About Henley Street Theatre Company

Through a diverse and powerful ensemble of artists, Henley Street Theatre Company produces ambitious stagings of classic and contemporary plays ranging from Shakespeare to Shanley which focus on chronicling the human condition throughout the course of time. Edgy, raw, and challenging, Henley Street pushes the boundaries of theatre and brings a fresh perspective to the Richmond theatre community. For further information, please visit the Company’s Web site at www.henleystreettheatre.org.


Founding Artistic Director Carol Piersol announces the lineup for the Firehouse Theatre 2008/2009 season:

Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl, an inventive take on the Orpheus myth. Opens September 18th.
The Widow’s Blind Date by Israel Horovitz. Two aging hometown friends vie for the attention of a former classmate. Opens November 13th.
Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire, a drama formerly presented in last season’s Reader’s Theatre program. Opens February 26th, 2009.
The Great American Trailer Park Musical by David Nehls (book by Betsy Kelso). Havoc at the “exclusive” Armadillo Acres. Opens April 23rd, 2009.

Buy a season pass for $85 (a $15 savings over single-ticket prices), and get:
-Preferred early seating reservations
-Invitations to opening night receptions
-Discounts on classes and additional tickets
-$5 per ticket discount to the hit musical Reefer Madness

Click here to purchase a season pass online, or call the Firehouse Theatre box office at 355-2001. 


Theatre IV announces upcoming 2008-09 Season

Theatre IV’s new season opens with a Special Event!
The University of Richmond’s Department of Theatre and Dance, The Modlin Center for the Arts, and Theatre IV present the critically acclaimed and world-renowned Saratov Academic Youth Theatre in its American debut. . . .


The Humpbacked Horse
Friday, October 17, 2008, 7 PM and Sunday, October 19, 2008, 2 PM

The Humpbacked Horse tells of the adventures of Ivan, a young peasant who, through kindness and the help of his faithful and magical “humpbacked horse,” accomplishes the impossible by capturing numerous magical beasts, winning the love of the beautiful Tsarina and finally becoming the Tsar of all Russia.

This performance will be presented entirely in Russian, with English subtitles. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Please note: Tickets are on sale now to subscribers and are being sold separately from subscription packages.
Ticket Prices: Adults $15, Youth/Seniors/Students $12, Children (up to 12) $6
These performances are expected to sell out quickly, please reserve your tickets early.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
By Barbara Robinson
December 5 - 21, 2008
The annual Christmas pageant is the same year after year -until the year the Herdmans show up. The six Herdman
children are probably the most inventively awful kids in history and only showed up at church that Sunday because they’d
heard the minister gave out free desserts. Suddenly, the six hoodlums want to be involved, and insist on being cast in the
major roles of the play. The whole town is horrified! What ensues are laughter, tears, a small fire and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Sideways Stories from Wayside School
By Newbery Medal winning author Louis Sachar; Adapted by John Olive
January 30 – February 15, 2009
It’s the funniest class in the universe, where the oddest things can happen! Tornado drills are the norm (for good reason), rodents wear raincoats and students become apples in the school that was built on its side! Based on the acclaimed series by Newbery Medal winning author Louis Sachar, Sideways Stories is a roller coaster ride of chills, spills and laughs aplenty. You’ll be delirious with laughter – no matter what your age.

Annie

April 24 – May 17, 2009

at the Empire Theatre, 114 West Broad Street in Richmond
Book by Thomas Meehan; Lyrics by Martin Charnin; Music by Charles Strouse
The popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best loved Broadway musicals. Annie is a spunky orphan determined to find the parents who left her on the doorstep of a New York City orphanage. In the course of her adventures she foils mean Miss Hannigan, befriends President Franklin D. Roosevelt and finds a new family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary Grace Farrell and a lovable mutt named Sandy. Featuring "Hard Knock Life," "Little Girls," and the crowd pleasing anthem, "Tomorrow," Annie is, "big, warm-hearted, funny and overflowing!" - New York Post. Suggested for ages 4 and up.

Subscription Packages – The best ticket prices are available by subscribing . . .
Reserved Seat Subscriptions – Dates, times, and specific seats are reserved, but unlimited hassle-free exchanges available if necessary.
Fun Pass Subscriptions – One ticket per show is reserved now, but specific dates and times can be called in at a later date. Seating is first come-first served, so seats should be reserved as quickly as possible.
Subscription Prices
Adults $56 - 20% savings
Seniors (65+) & Students (13+) $53 - 25% savings
Children (12 & under) $46 - 35% savings
For subscriptions, call Theatre IV’s Box Office at (804)344-8040 or purchase subscriptions online at www.TheatreIVRichmond.org .

Subscriptions go on now, with single tickets available for purchase on August 1st.