Virginia Repertory Theatre has announced its 2023-2024 Signature Season at the November Theatre downtown, the Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern, the Children’s Season at the Virginia Rep Center for Arts and Education, as well as the Theatre Gym studio space.
According to a press release, season subscriptions are now on sale by calling the box office at 804-282-2620 or going online at virginiarep.org. Single tickets will go on sale this summer.
“Our 2023-2024 season features the regional premiere of an irreverent political comedy, fresh from its acclaimed Broadway run, an intriguing-yet-hilarious mystery, a new American musical, a pair of intimate biographical dramas, Dolly Parton’s uproarious nod to gender inequality in the workplace, as well as collaborations with Cadence Theatre Company and the Weinstein Jewish Community Center,” said Artistic Director of Programming Rick Hammerly, in the release.
Without further adieu, here they are (descriptions of plays are provided by Va Rep):
SIGNATURE SEASON at the November Theatre
“POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive” by Selina Fillinger
Regional Premiere: Sept 1, 2023 – Oct. 1, 2023
Directed by Dorothy Holland, dedication: Carol Piersol
“Hot off its Tony Award-nominated Broadway debut — POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive is a riotous comedy about the women in charge of the man in charge of the free world, whose use of a four-letter word is about to rock 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. When the President unwittingly spins a PR nightmare into a global crisis, the seven brilliant and beleaguered women he relies upon most risk life, liberty, and the pursuit of sanity to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble.”
“The Silver Belles”
Nov. 24, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2023
Book by Allyson Currin, music by Matt Conner, lyrics by Stephen Gregory Smith. Based on an idea by Cathy Alter & Sandra Johnson.
Directed by Susan Sanford
“A heartfelt holiday hoedown with humor and a heaping helping of well-known Christmas songs and clever new country and western ditties. It’s “Designing Women” meets ”Golden Girls” when Oralene, the longtime director of small town Sylva Ridge’s Christmas Pageant, suddenly passes away, and the Silver Belles must come to the rescue! With the spirit of Oralene looking on, the sterling-hued vixens band together, uncover their talents, and pull out all the stops to keep the town’s beloved pageant alive.”
Featuring Jerold Solomon: “Satchmo at the Waldorf”
March 1, 2024 – April 7, 2024
By Terry Teachout
Directed by Rick Hammerly
“In this one-man, three character play, Richmond favorite, Jerold Solomon, portrays Louis Armstrong, the greatest of all jazz trumpeters; Joe Glaser, his white manager; and Miles Davis, who admired Armstrong’s playing, but detested his onstage manner. In 1971, in a dressing room backstage at the Empire Room of New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, four months prior to his death, Armstrong attempts to come to terms with his long-standing relationship with Glaser, whom he once loved like a father but now believes to have betrayed him.”
“9 to 5, The Musical”
June 21, 2024 – Aug. 4, 2024
Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton
Book by Patricia Resnick, based on the 20th Century Fox Picture
Originally produced on Broadway by Robert Greenblatt, April 2009
Directed by Debra Clinton
“Dolly Parton’s hilarious musical celebrates female friendship, and the ultimate revenge against their male boss. Pushed to the boiling point, three female co-workers take control of their office and learn there’s nothing they can’t do, even in a man’s world. Violet, Judy and Doralee concoct a plan to get even with their sexist-egotistical-lying-hypocritical-bigot of a boss and live out their wildest fantasy. The women give their workplace a dream makeover, stepping up to run the company that had always kept them down.”
BARKSDALE SEASON at Hanover Tavern
Featuring Debra Wagoner and Joe Pabst “Martha Mitchell Calling” by Jodi Rothe
Sept. 29, 2023 – Oct. 29, 2023
Directed by Rick Hammerly
“A humorous, yet poignant, exploration of Martha Mitchell (Debra Wagoner), legendary wife of Watergate conspirator and Attorney General John Mitchell (Joe Pabst). Flamboyant, formidable and often misunderstood, Mitchell demanded the truth even when no one believed her. Though ostracized as a traitor and abandoned by her family, she never lost her spirit, even as she called for Nixon’s resignation. As Nixon himself told David Frost during their famous 1977 interview, “If it hadn’t been for Martha Mitchell, there’d have been no Watergate.”
“Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery” by Ken Ludwig
Dec. 15, 2023 – Jan. 21, 2024
“Get your deerstalker cap on — Sherlock Holmes is on the case. The play’s afoot in Ken Ludwig’s murderously funny twist on Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles. The male Baskerville heirs are being dispatched one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms the next heir. Our intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, and disguises, as five actors deftly portray more than forty characters. Can our heroes discover the truth in time? Join the fun and see how far from elementary the truth can be.”
“On Air”
March 15, 2024 – April 14, 2024
Music and Lyrics by Matt Conner; book and lyrics by Stephen Gregory Smith. Directed by Todd D. Norris
“Amidst the turbulent 1920’s, Frank and Flora Conrad were on the edge of discovering mass broadcasting. These two unsung radio pioneers broke through the static and established the first radio station in America within their own unassuming garage in East Pittsburgh. ON AIR follows their untold love story, their professional victories and disappointments, as well as their journey in establishing broadcast radio as a constant companion, messenger, and soundtrack for the life of every American.”
CHILDREN’S SEASON in the Jessie Bogese Theatre inside Virginia Rep Center for Arts and Education
“The Emperor’s New Clothes” by Hans Christian Andersen
Oct. 20, 2023 – Nov. 12, 2023
Adapted by Richard Giersch, music by Jason Marks. Directed by Jan Guarino
“The classic fable is brought to life in this Hans Christian Andersen story of greed and privilege. When it comes to fashion and…well, everything… this emperor knows it all, or so he thinks. The emperor has decreed that color and music are banned from the kingdom and are only allowed in his castle. Two charlatans persuade the emperor that they have the world’s most exquisite fabric. The emperor pays the “tailors” a fortune for his new clothes, but when he parades through town in his new wardrobe, a good-hearted, honest child shouts out what everyone else is thinking!”
“The Santa Clues” by Pat Mullen
Dec. 8, 2023 – Dec. 31, 2023
“Ever wondered “Who exactly is this Santa guy anyway?” Well the United States special agency, The Bureau of Oddities, would like to know too! Join special agents Drake and Fletcher as they follow clues that reveal the secret identity of the jolly old man in red. Be prepared, as things might not turn out as you expect.”
“Chasing George Washington: A White House Adventure” by Karen Zacarías with the young playwrights of Young Playwright’s Theater
Feb. 9, 2024 – March 3, 2024
Music by Deborah Wicks LaPuma. Directed by Amber Martinez
“Field trips are fun, especially when your destination is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue! Students Dee, José and Annie accidentally knock George Washington out of his portrait and into real life—turning their White House tour into an unexpected adventure. As they try to get the nation’s first president back into his painting, the threesome encounters Jacqueline Kennedy; Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd; Dolley Madison; and other famous White House residents. Together, they learn that the White House isn’t just a historic building—it’s also a home.”
“Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience”
April 12, 2024 – May 19, 2024
Based on “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed” book by Mo Willems. Published by Hyperion Books for Children. Script and lyrics by Mo Willems. Music by Deborah Wicks LaPuma. Directed by Todd D. Norris
“Dude! Kids and adults will love this rock ‘n roll parable based on the hit children’s book by Mo Willems. Wilbur and all his fellow naked mole rats in the Tunnel have always been, well… naked. Wondering what other possibilities are out there, Wilbur discovers a love for clothing and style. When word of his new passion turns the Tunnel upside down, he proves to everyone that there’s no need to be just like everyone else.”
“Dragons Love Tacos” by Ernie Nolan
July 14, 2024 – August 4, 2024
Based on the book by Adam Rubin with illustrations by Daniel Salmieri
Published by Penguin Group; Produced by special arrangement with Plays for New Audiences; with music by Chris LaPorte. Directed by Kära Ernst-Schalk
“A boy and his dog are watching a TV show about dragons when they unexpectedly get caught up in the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ of what to feed dragons. Turns out they LOVE tacos, but if they accidentally eat spicy salsa…watch out!”
