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Written by Ronnie Pirate
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Tuesday, 26 September 2006 |
 Having never been to a Williamsburg Players production before, I was
excited to explore a new venue. There is a definite sense of community
in this theater. On the wall there are collage tributes to previous
seasons, as well as a scholarship board featuring headshots of
recipients for the past two decades. I have even worked with some of
these formerly young people professionally. It is nice to know that the
work done in this building has had an impact in the theatrical
community.
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Written by David Springstead
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Wednesday, 20 September 2006 |
 The 40th Street Stage in Norfolk is one of those places where actors go to stretch their wings, and theatre companies have the chance to mount productions with support from an understanding venue. With the current production of CRAIG LUCAS' "Reckless" we have the privilege of experiencing both.
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Written by Mike Diana
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Saturday, 16 September 2006 |
 Folks, British farce ain't for everybody. Frantic antics and door slamming can go from unbridled hilliarity to excessively unfunny in short order, rendering an audience bewildered and a cast gasping for breath. Regent University Theatre's production of Michael Frayn's popular farce Noises Off revels in excess. Doors are opened and closed and sardines are shuffled off and on, but the work to make it work was so obvious it got in the way of the laughter.
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Written by Laura Apelt
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Thursday, 14 September 2006 |
 If all movies were Star Wars blockbusters, it'd get old pretty fast. Likewise, if all plays were Wicked, we'd soon be unimpressed by all the "impressiveness". Not to mention, very poor. Little Theatre of Virginia Beach's production of Shakespeare in Hollywood is not one of those blockbuster shows that will be talked about for years to come, but it's pretty cute all the same.
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Written by James R. Johnson
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Monday, 11 September 2006 |
 The Little Theatre of Norfolk kicked off its 80th season with a production of Out of Order by Ray Cooney and Directed by Scott Rollins. It seems hard to believe that a nonprofit community theater could have survived the rigors of time since 1926. Eighty years of productions sounds like a monolithic feat, and indeed it is. A lot has changed the world since this humble beginning, but it is a delight to see the theater changing with it. The building itself looks like a veritable fountain of youth. I hope I look that good after 80 years.
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Written by PJ Freebourn
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Saturday, 02 September 2006 |
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One would be generous to call the 40th Street Stage a warehouse let alone a stage, but this little black box theatre is turning out to be quite an exciting venue. Everything from film festivals to comedy sketches is being produced here. I got the opportunity to see a new play in its infancy receive its baptism into the Congregational Church of Theatre. Produced by City Arts, The Portable Henry Hobbs by Robert Wray had it’s premiere showing in a sort of pre-workshop on Sunday, August 20th.
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Written by David Springstead
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Sunday, 27 August 2006 |
 When asked to review the Generic Theatre's latest production, "Bad Dates," I was rather looking forward to seeing the place again. It's been years since I've been there and was wondering if they'd done anything to the venue to "spruce it up." Same old place, but that's not always a bad thing.
But then, as I looked at the playbill, I noticed that this is a one woman show. A one woman show? |
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Written by Robert Hodge
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Thursday, 24 August 2006 |
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 PCT's production, under the leadership of director PETER NATALE and choreographer DANA MARGULIES, has moments of brilliance, creativity, and true heart.
The night that I attended was one of those legendary nights in the
musical theatre where the female lead was unexpectedly taken ill, and
there were several changes in the casting.
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Written by Jeff Corriveau, edited by Mike Diana
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Monday, 21 August 2006 |
 Poquoson Island Players’ Vanities as directed by Kim Vernall manages to capture the subtleties of growing up and the inevitable growing apart for three high school best friends.
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Written by Mike Diana
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Tuesday, 15 August 2006 |
 “What are you playing at?”
“Words. Words. They’re all we have to go on!”
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Written by Laura Apelt
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Sunday, 13 August 2006 |
 Art, now playing at 40th Street Stage, is not about art. It has art in it, of course. But it’s not about art, per se. Like Waiting for Godot is only a little bit about Godot. And how Pirates of the Caribbean is only a little bit about the Caribbean. Pirates is more about how much hotter men are when they adopt a British accent. No British accents in Art, sadly, though its original language was French, so you can use your imagination.
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Written by Michael Hassell
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Saturday, 12 August 2006 |
.jpg "Image") If I had to ascribe one summary comment to Edward Albee’s Three Tall
Women , now playing in rotation at the Virginia Shakespeare Festival in
Willliamsburg, it would be something like, “There but for the grace of
God go we all...”
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Written by M.J. Garland (edited L.A., M.D.)
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Tuesday, 08 August 2006 |
The sketch comedy troupe, THE PUSHERS, with their homegrown brand of "black comedy," has brought to Nofolk's 40th Street Stage and thereby Hampton Roads the element of risk...
In writing its own material, the troupe tackles risky topics ranging from local and national politics to racial stereotypes and even familiar childhood memories, evoking audience response from laughter to moans of disgust. |
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Written by David Springstead
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Saturday, 15 July 2006 |
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This past Thursday my massage therapist, while digging her elbow into my lower ribcage, said, "I just don't understand Shakespeare. The language makes no sense to me, and after about three minutes my brain shuts down." Well Robyn, I've found some Shakespeare that you just might understand. |
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Written by Laura Apelt
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Tuesday, 11 July 2006 |
 The Hampton Roads Shakespeare Festival bills The Taming of the Shrew as “The World’s First Relationship Sitcom.” Director WILLIAM DEAN follows through on this description with an entertaining evening of comedy and slapstick. Occasionally overdone or under-rehearsed, but all in all, a terrific production that will hopefully inspire more amateur theatres in the area to tackle all the bard has to offer.
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Written by James R. Johnson
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Tuesday, 11 July 2006 |
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 The Little Theatre of Virginia Beach production of Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring is a mighty undertaking. The script calls for sharp delivery and popping blocking. To fully appreciate the vision of Kesselring, the production needs to be something akin to a three-ring circus. There is so much going on that if not presented as a symphony of sound and motion, the experience becomes noise and awkwardness. The symphony is not performing in Virginia Beach.
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Written by M. J. Garland
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Sunday, 09 July 2006 |
 In its ninth season, TCC’s Shakespeare in the Grove has once again brought a tragic classic to life. William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet is sure to please audiences through out Hampton Roads.
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Written by David Springstead
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Saturday, 08 July 2006 |
Now playing at the Phi Beta Kappa Hall on the campus of William and Mary College is the 2006 edition of the Virginia Shakespeare Festival. The season has opened with "The Scottish Play" (sorry, I shall not mention the name, even in this review) and is well worth the time and money one needs to see it.
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Written by M. J. Garland
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Sunday, 25 June 2006 |
A title on a poster which drew much attention I’m sure. Needless to say, I didn’t laugh mine off but rather just one cheek. This sketch comedy and improv performance took place on Saturday June 24 on the 40th St. Stage.
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Written by Mike Diana
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Friday, 23 June 2006 |
 It is rare opportunity for a reviewer outside a major city to witness the birth, or in the case of Playwright’s Premiere Theatre’s Winning Liberty Land, re-birth of an original play.
I was really pumped being assigned to review the newly written play and ready to attend to it with all my attention. I tuned myself for every nuance and profound turn of phrase.
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Theatre 
