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June 17, 2022 • Volume VII, Number 37
“Celebrate the varied
splendor in this world, and remind yourself that it can also
be found in you.”
-- Dr. Salma Farook (born June 12, 1993) is a Seychelloise doctor, writer and poet. A mental health advocate, Dr. Farook strongly believes in the role of interfaith harmony and the power of words in making a positive impact on the world. Born in the Seychelles to two “very Indian” parents, she grew up on the islands and completed Med-school in India. She currently lives in Malaysia.
The Tony Awards Slate PR/Getty Images for Tony Award Production
Last Sat. and Sun. turned out to be a notable weekend for Richmond theatre as we continue to emerge from the pandemic. On Sat., we at Virginia Rep rebooted our in-person Anything Goes Gala for the first time in 2½ years, honoring Cal and George Jennison. Just shy of 300 celebrants gathered at the Jefferson Hotel. On Sun., the cast of Bonnie and Claire toasted the successful conclusion of their World Premiere run. And at Broadway’s Tony Awards:
- RVA theatre alum Toni-Leslie James was nominated for Best Costume Design for Paradise Square,
- Company WON Best Revival of a Musical (alum Chandler Jez and Curt Miller included in that company as COVID officer and A2 sub, respectively),
- Gareth Owen, the British sound designer for whom Curt now works, won his first Best Sound Design Tony for MJ.
- Ariel Osborne, who began as a Virginia Rep intern, stage managed the Tony Awards production for the eighth year!
Congratulations all ‘round!
The Laramie Project
June is Pride Month, when the world’s LGBTQ+ communities come together and celebrate the freedom to be themselves. Pride gatherings are rooted in the arduous history of minority groups who have struggled for decades to overcome prejudice and be accepted for who they are. The original organizers chose this month to pay homage to the Stonewall uprising in June 1969 in New York City, which helped spark the modern gay rights movement. At Virginia Rep, we’re proud to have been active participants in these efforts, through the presentation of the following early, groundbreaking productions: The Boys in the Band (Barksdale, Hanover Tavern, 1971), Fifth of July (Theatre IV, 1983), The Normal Heart (Theatre IV, 1987), Falsettos (Barksdale, Hanover Tavern, 1994), Love! Valor! Compassion! (Barksdale, Willow Lawn, 1997) Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde (Barksdale, Willow Lawn, 2000), The Laramie Project (Theatre IV, Empire, 2002), and The Little Dog Laughed (Barksdale, Willow Lawn, 2008).
Costume Director Sue Griffin and her team are super-busy creating all those glad rags for Mamma Mia!. That doesn’t mean they’re not also taking time to design our new, make-it-yourself, paper plate Tomato Hats. These clever toppers will make their first appearance on 500 young heads during Children’s Day, July 16, at the Hanover Tomato Festival. It’s part of our efforts to reintroduce Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern to the community that, 69 years ago, empowered the founders by helping their dreams to come true. In Aug. 1953, six actors from NYC, two children, a dog and two pigs moved into the abandoned relic known as Hanover Tavern, which they purchased for $25,000. There was no glass in the windows, no indoor plumbing, no HVAC. Nonetheless, they rolled up their sleeves and became metro-Richmond’s first professional performing arts organization of the modern era. Throughout 2022-23, we’ll celebrate their extraordinary achievement.
Lots of love received for Cal and George Jennison. “I’m thrilled the Jennisons are able to return to their Atlanta home, but I’m so sad that we’re losing them here in Richmond,” emailed J. Anderson. Never fear, J., we understand your feelings, but we’re confident that large parts of their hearts will remain here. They raised their children here. And the world gets smaller every day. “I LOVED Barefoot at the Tavern,” wrote C. Baxter. “So glad you’ll be bringing it to Dogwood Dell.” Indeed we will, C. Mark your calendars. June 30 – July 2, 8:30 PM. FREE-FOR-ALL! “Yes, PLEASE,” offered P. Nuvall in response to our query about reviving Coffee & Conversations. Stay tuned as we continue to assess this opportunity.
We encourage your comments, corrections and feedback. Please email your thoughts to mhaber@virginiarep.org.
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