May 31, 2019 -- Volume VI, Issue 19

Chesterfield Co. was established on May 25, 1749, by the VA House of Burgesses. This past Sat, we celebrated our 270^th Birthday on the Chesterfield Fairgrounds, utilizing the Richmond Symphony’s Big Tent. Attendees enjoyed the 392^nd Army Rock Band at 3 pm, RVA’s Dance Candy at 4, the Symphony at 5:30, and the Deloreans at 7. We hope to honor future birthdays with special performances at the Perkinson Center. Chesterfield Co. is named for Philip Stanhope, 4^th Earl of Chesterfield, who served as England’s Sec. of State under King George II from 1746-48. In that position he was responsible for foreign relations with the Protestant states of Europe. Immediately prior, he served as Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, repressing traditional corruption, and establishing schools and factories. Always a man of the people, he was the first official to allow Dubliners to roam freely in Phoenix Park, and installed the central Phoenix Monument, a carved phoenix perched on a Corinthian column. The main road through the park is still known as Chesterfield Ave. In the 1760s, Chesterfield courageously penned a blistering critique of the Stamp Act, so hated here in the colonies. He alleged it could not be enforced, and would at best generate revenue no greater than 80,000 pounds per year, while costing about one million pounds in reduced trade with the American colonies.   

Since I’m adding new Chesterfield people every week, please forgive me for saying again that this series is written in response to those who know I go see theatre in NYC at least twice a year and ask me what to see, where to stay, eat, etc. Past parts are on the Virginia Rep website, click on News, then Good News Friday. Wed night of my Apr trip I didn’t go to a show, which is unusual for me. My adult son, Curt, lives in NYC, works in theatre, and doesn’t feel like he has to crowd another show into every New York minute, like I tend to do. He said he’d rather go to dinner, so that’s what we did. We went to my favorite, affordable, friendly Thai place—one of the Yum Yum restaurants on 9^th Ave, around 46^th. There used to be three related restaurants within one block all named some variation of Yum Yum. Now there may be only one or two. I recommend them. On Thurs my wife Terrie arrived on Amtrak from RVA. I went again to the TKTS Booth in Times Square when they opened at 3, followed their Return Customer protocol, and in five minutes I had two great half-price tkts for the revival of Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate at Studio 54, starring Kelli O’Hara and Will Chase. Again, our seats were fifth row center. We couldn’t have LOVED it more—a definitive production of an American classic. It’s a limited run produced by Roundabout, and it’s set to close in June. We recommend it highly. 

We were very pleased and proud to commend legendary, retiring Midlothian High School drama teacher Katherine Baugher in Good News Friday two weeks ago. When you tune in to CBS to watch the 73^rd Annual Tony Awards next Sun, June 9, live from Radio City Music Hall, James Corden hosting (of course you’ll be tuning in, won’t you?), be sure to watch closely to catch another acclaimed Virginia high school drama teacher, Madeline Michel, Monticello High School, Albemarle County, as she is presented the 2019 Excellence in Theatre Education Award. Now in its fifth year, the ETE Award recognizes the top K-12 drama teacher in the nation. Presented by the Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University, the honor includes $10,000 for Monticello’s theatre program plus tickets to the Tony Awards and Gala. Two students chosen by Michel will be given scholarships to Carnegie Mellon’s Drama Pre-College Program in the summer of 2020. CMU theatre professors will also come to Virginia to teach a master class for all of Michel’s students. Michel has been teaching drama at Monticello High School for over a decade. She was nominated for the award by a parent of one of her students, and chosen from all national nominees by judges composed of representatives from the American Theatre Wing, the Broadway League, Carnegie Mellon, and other leaders from the theatre industry. 

In previous editions, we’ve profiled Mary Page Nance, Edward Pierce, and Toni-Leslie James, three RVA theatre pros who’ve earned significant national acclaim for their major work on Broadway. Our point is that unlike many metro areas where the local artists are just that—“local”—Richmond professional theatre not only draws artists from Broadway, it trains, nurtures and contributes artists to Broadway. Lots and lots of them. This week’s featured All Star is emblematic of one of the ways in which RVA attracts top national talent. Happy Mahaney co-starred as Sky in the Broadway National Tour of Mamma Mia (pictured, with elbow on floor). Television credits include Rules of Engagement (CBS/opposite David Spade), Living with Fran (CW/opposite Fran Drescher), and Women in Law (ABC/pilot/opposite Regina King). He’s shot national commercials for Papa John’s, Olive Garden, V8, American Airlines, Suzuki, and CitiBank. And on May 11, he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree from VCU in Theatre Pedagogy and Performance, hence his residency in RVA. For the rest of this weekend you can catch Happy being brilliant in Gloria (Virginia Rep/Cadence) at Theatre Gym. Previous Virginia Rep credits include Cogsworth in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Appropriate (RTCC winner, Best Supporting Actor). Here’s hoping Happy will stay (or return) for years to come! 

Dr. Jane Baskerville, Chesterfield Cultural Arts Foundation Board member, wrote: “Thank you for sharing. I’m enjoying my new ‘Good News Friday’ updates. I’m excited for all the good work!!” Thank you, Jane. One thing that’s been a hallmark of both CCAF and Virginia Rep is a commitment to partnership. Cooperation and strategic collaboration win the day in RVA every time. Virginia Rep supporter Steven Saltzberg wrote: “A few months ago you asked if people were interested in joining the next group of RVA play lovers on their 2020 NYC trip. If you have dates you’re thinking about, even if they’re not firm, please let us know. We love to plan ahead. AND, we love Good News Friday!” Yes, thanks, Steve. Tentative dates for the next NYC theatre trip are the last week in Feb, 2020. All arts lovers from Virginia Rep and Chesterfield are welcome. Covington Travel is again planning the trip, and we’ll have costs and dates nailed down soon. We have the list of those who’ve expressed interest already. Any others who are interested please let us know and we’ll keep you informed. Finally, three followers asked for more info about the groundbreaking on June 24 at 10 am. Yes, everyone, please come. It should be fun. It will be held at the site of the new Perkinson Center for the Arts in Chester, adjacent to the Chester Library, 11800 Centre Street. No reservations or tickets required!