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June 24, 2022 • Volume VII, Number 38
“We do on stage things that are supposed to happen off. Which is a kind of integrity, if you look on every exit as being an entrance somewhere else.”
-- Sir Tom Stoppard (born Tomáš Sträussler in Czechoslovakia on July 3, 1937) is a British playwright often considered one of the leading playwrights in the English language of the 20th and 21st centuries. His most prominent scripts include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, The Real Thing, Arcadia, Rock ‘n‘ Roll, The Coast of Utopia and Shakespeare in Love.
Please join in welcoming choreographer Ashleigh King to her first show with Virginia Rep! A DC-based Helen Hayes Award-winner (and longtime friend of our Artistic Director of Programming, Rick Hammerly), Ashleigh’s made LOTS of additional friends among the cast of our summer blockbuster Mamma Mia!, opening this weekend! We are fortunate to add her terpsichorean skills to the show. Approximately ten lively production numbers are falling under Ashleigh’s spell, combining steps from jazz to jive, and rock to sirtaki into one madcap beach-party mix perfect for the Mediterranean setting. The cast gets a workout at every rehearsal, and they’re bringing all their energy to this joyful summer musical. If you’d like to dance along (many audiences do just that during the show’s final mega-mix), call (804) 282-2620 today to reserve your tickets. The Isles, and the aisles, await!
In last weekend’s Hollywood Reporter, our partner Theatre VCU was named 21st among the Top 25 Drama Schools in the World! Rubbing shoulders with Yale, Juilliard, and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, VCU was praised for their “multidisciplinary approach” to theatrical training. Virginia Rep provides critical professional opportunities in all aspects of theatre performance and production to Theatre VCU’s top students. We take professional guest artists on campus to meet with scholars and conduct interactive lecture demos. We invite theatre majors and their plus ones to attend our seminars, workshops, and performances free-of-charge. We offer paid internships and apprenticeships, and other employment opportunities—current staff members Gordon Bass, Chris Foote, Sara Heifetz and Amber Martinez all came to us from Theatre VCU. Recent students who’ve worked with Theatre VCU/Virginia Rep include actors
Josh Marin and Jerold Solomon, directors Chase Kniffen and Happy Mahaney, and scenic designer Court Watson—all of whom have enjoyed significant success on Broadway and other national venues. We’re proud of our partner, and thrilled to be part of Theatre VCU’s commitment to excellence.
Felicia Curry in The Color Purple
Ask anyone who was there. When Virginia Rep favorite Felicia Curry made her Richmond debut eight years ago in The Color Purple, every cheering audience member knew we were in the presence of greatness. Since that auspicious beginning, Felicia has returned to thrill us again in Dreamgirls and Sister Act. We burst with pride earlier this spring to report in GNF on Felicia’s successful Off Broadway debut in Queen’s Girl in the World. Of course, we weren’t the only ones taking notice. As we’ve all been expecting since she captured our hearts in 2014, Felicia is now Broadway bound. She’s joined the cast of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, understudying both the Witch and the Baker’s Wife. She’ll open at the St. James Theatre on July 10. Success couldn’t come to a more talented, intelligent, kind and hardworking person. We’re thrilled.
“I love the quotes you choose to begin each issue of GNF,” wrote A. Brown. “Dr. Farook’s words on the power of celebration fit each story perfectly.” Thanks, A. We love the quotes, too. Several of you responded in the spirit of celebration of the Tony Awards, Pride Month, and the upcoming launch of our 70th Anniversary Season. We greatly appreciate your encouragement.
We encourage your comments, corrections and feedback. Please email your thoughts to mhaber@virginiarep.org.
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