April 12, 2019 -- Volume VI, Issue 12

We think it is vitally important to have a professional regional theatre like Virginia Rep headquartered here in RVA.  As a regional theatre, we believe it’s our responsibility to nurture and sustain the talent, aspirations, and careers of professional theatre artists who live in our home community.  We’re proud that for decades we’ve helped to build the strong resident theatre community that RVA enjoys.  We’ve consistently offered employment and artistic growth to Virginia’s most talented theatre artists.  Some of our local All Stars choose to remain here, or return here.  Some head for larger markets.  We support all choices.  We know that one of the reasons many responsible Richmonders attend Virginia Rep, instead of getting their theatre kicks only from national tours, is that we provide a unique bridge from training in Virginia to adult careers in NYC.  Talent, hard work, and determination are the necessary attributes that transform promising RVA artists into Broadway pros.  But those who have what it takes often get that extra boost of confidence, experience and networking from beginning their journeys here at home rather than heading straight to the Big Apple.  Over the next few weeks, we’ll be catching up with members of Virginia Rep’s Broadway Brigade, letting you know how and what our successful veterans are doing as they pursue their national careers.

After being featured in our casts of Guys and Dolls and Thoroughly Modern Millie, Mary Page Nance headed to NYC.  Within a few years, she landed her first two Broadway shows: Finding Neverland and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 and, followed by the national tour of Bright Star.  Recently, she made her NY City Center debut in Call Me Madam on the Encores! series.  So what’s next for Mary Page?  “This week, I’m flexing my dancing, singing and comedy muscles in Olay – The Road to Glow,” explained Mary Page, “a one-night-only musical at New World Stages.  I’m playing one of Ana Gasteyer’s minions in the Land of Glow.  Ana is a hoot.”  Gasteyer starred in Saturday Night Live from ‘96 to ‘02, and as Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway in ‘06 and ‘07.  The Olay cast of nine is led by three of the hottest female talents in NYC: director Shelby Bartlestein (her award-winning commercials for Olay, Neutrogena, Acuvue and Stella Artois have gone viral); choreographer nicHi douglas (Movement & Choreography prof at NYU/Tisch, Associate Choreographer for Girl from the North Country at the Public), and music director Rona Siddiqui (AUDELCO nominee, ASCAP Foundation Mary Rodgers/Lorenz Hart Award winner).  “My RVA experiences with SPARC, the Mill, and Virginia Rep equipped me well,” adds Mary Page.  “Still, I don’t know where May’s rent will be coming from.  I’ve learned to trust my talent and not to panic.  So far, the next gig’s always arrived in time.”

So much about our current production of Atlantis, which opens tonight in its first developmental production, is brand new. While reflecting on themes of new horizons, the show itself is as fresh as tomorrow morning’s sunrise. The magnificent score, orchestrations, and set/light/costume designs were all created here. All of you in our RVA audience will be the FIRST to see this show as it journeys toward its promising future. With great affection and respect, we are dedicating this production to the abiding memory of Elizabeth “Betty” Matthews. Throughout her 92 years, Betty was devoted to four things: her family, her community, non-discrimination/affirmative action for persons with disabilities, and the role that theatre can play to transform lives. Betty was a powerhouse. For decades she pushed to increase and sustain Theatre IV/Virginia Rep’s presence in Chesterfield County. She served as the first Chairman of what is now the Chesterfield Cultural Arts Foundation, and was thrilled when Bruce Miller accepted his new job as its first Executive Director. For decades she was the leading force behind the dream of the Perkinson Center for the Arts. Construction will begin in mid-May. As Virginia Rep and the Chesterfield Cultural Arts Foundation continue to strengthen their partnership, Betty is the main reason why. We will work our hardest to fulfill her legacy. 

We began our week with a visit from the VA School for the Deaf and Blind. Forty deaf and/or blind children accompanied their parents and siblings as we joined with the VA Dept. for the Blind and Vision Impaired to host a tasty lunch followed by a showing of Pinocchio. We engaged the blind children with our pre-show tactile tour. Cast members introduced themselves, and enabled our guests to experience the costumes, scenery, props, wigs, and the actors themselves using their sense of touch. Midway through the tactile tour, one teenage participant joyously exclaimed, “This is the best theatre in the world!” Working with our partners at Virginia Voice, the show was audio-described utilizing closed circuit technology so that blind patrons could hear descriptions of the action they couldn’t see. For deaf audience members, the show was interpreted into American Sign Language by two guest artists who sat on the lip of the stage. Our hearing loop was engaged to boost the signal to children who listened through their hearing devices. During Q & A following the show, one deaf child signed his question enthusiastically, and his mother burst into tears. After the show she told us, “He’s never connected like this to anything before!” These access programs are a vital part of our Community Health + Wellness program. Please let us know if you’d like to participate or help. 

No controversy, confusion, or corrections at all were included in responses to last week’s Good News Friday. Nothing but praise. And that’s fine with us. Everyone loved the photo of the interior of the historic Fulton Opera House, and were delighted with Kelly Kennedy’s report about Once performances there. “How nice to hear our RVA audience praised for being youthful,” wrote one correspondent who preferred to remain uncredited. Lots of praise too for Virginia Rep’s partnerships with VCU, UVA, and GMU. “How smart you are to take such keen advantage of these outstanding academic resources. Keep it up!”—William F. Stoddard. “I love the Acts of Faith Festival,” opined Tina Johnston-Stahl. “I’m not a big churchgoer, but the encouragement of civic and civil dialogue among multi-faith organizations is something we BADLY need in this day and age. Thank you!” Finally, several responders expressed their regret over the “kerfuffle” (that’s the exact word one of them used, and we LOVE it) that surrounded our casting blue lights on our historic façade in respect for Autism Awareness Day. “Just keep following your heart,” wrote Jonathan Miller (no relation). “You can’t please everyone, but few organizations if any do more than you do to bring EVERYONE in our community together. Margot and I applaud you.” As always, thanks for the kind words of affirmation and support.