This is the second season under Artistic Director Nathaniel Shaw (pictured at left with Managing Director Phil Whiteway), who explains why LOVE is the common thread of the seasons, “We were inevitably drawn to themes of perseverance, redemption, recovery, and forgiveness. The common thread seemed to be LOVE…of family…our fellow man and most importantly, LOVE above violence and distrust. It is a LOVE deeply rooted in our history. It is a LOVE filled with laughter and celebration. It is a LOVE filled with both pain and rapturous joy. It is a LOVE that propels us forward and inspires us to do better, to be better.”
Here’s a look at the upcoming seasons for the Virginia Rep family:
SIGNATURE SEASON
The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time (9/21 – 10/14)
This drama revolves around a neurologically atypical 15-year-old, who investigates the mysterious murder of his neighbor’s dog.
Sister Act (11/16 – 12/30)
Based on the 1992 hit movie that featured Whoopi Goldberg as a fallen showgirl forced to take refuge in a convent.
Once (2/8 – 3/3, 2019)
This Tony-award winner follows a classic tale of boy-meets-girl through the eyes of 2 musicians on the streets of Dublin. The 2007 film that inspired it won an Oscar for Best Original Song (“Falling Slowly”).
Atlantis (4/12 – 5/5, 2019)
This is the first developmental production of a new musical that travels to the titular island.
The Wiz (6/21 – 7/28, 2019)
The popular musical that’s based on classic Wizard of Oz, set to the sounds of R&B, soul and pop.
CADENCE THEATRE
Between Riverside and Crazy (11/13 – 12/4)
The 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning play about an ex-cop who welcomes his ex-con son back into his rent-controlled apartment along with some unlikely but frequent guests.
In My Chair (3/2-24, 2019)
This is an original work written and performed by Richmond artist Eva DeVirgilis. It started as a TEDx Talk (actually it started with a SIFTER video) about self-esteem, body image and beauty standards.
Gloria (5/11 – 6/2, 2019). This 2016 Pulitzer Prize-finalist is a sharp satire that exposes workplace toxicity at its most volatile.
HANOVER SEASON
The Game’s Afoot: Holmes for the Holidays (11/30 – 12/30)
This “twisty whodunit” is centered on a star who’s known for portraying Sherlock Holmes, but must solve a mystery in real life.
Broadway Bound (3/15 – 4/20, 2019)
This is the third installment of Neil Simon’s autobiographical trilogy (they mounted an excellent production of Brighton Beach Memories two seasons ago). It finds Eugene and his older brother trying to break into show business as comedy writers.
Forever Plaid (7/19 – 8/25, 2019).
This popular local favorite harkens back to days of barbershop quartets, when high school friends return from the afterlife for their last chance at musical glory.
CHILDREN’S SEASON
Mr. Popper’s Penguins (10/19 – 12/30)
This regional premiere is based on the popular children’s book about a British house painter, who finds himself and his family with a family of penguins.
Huck and Tom and the Mighty Mississippi (1/25 – 3/3, 2019).
This Virginia Rep original adaptation brings Mark Twain’s two classic American novels (Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer) into one fast-paced musical adventure.
Pinocchio (3/29 – 5/5, 2019).
The classic tale of Geppetto’s little wooden puppet who wishes is to be a real boy (written by Bruce Craig Miller).
Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical (7/12 – 8/11, 2019).
This follows 8-year-old Lily Polkadot, who has polkadot skin and attends the school in the “Squares Only” small town of Rockaway.
Subscriptions for all seasons may be purchased starting 3/5 at 10:00 am by calling the Box Office (282.2620). Individual tickets won’t go on sale until later this Spring.
SIFTER EXCLUSIVE: In completely unrelated news, a portrait of the Novembers was recently installed in the lobby of the November Theatre (also a birthday surprise for Sara Belle).
