Jeremy Bustin - Page 2

IN MY CHAIR is such an inimitable, witty and potent production that's anything but a conventional play. It's deeper than a one-woman show. It's a participatory theatrical event that takes its audience around the world on the journey of a lifetime, sometimes including them in the dialogue; while introducing the stories of dozens of women, all performed to glorious perfection by the brilliant DeVirgilis.

When The Book of Mormon opens at the Altria Theater tomorrow, a face familiar to Richmond audiences will be among the members of its very talented ensemble.

Written and composed by actor-comedian-turned-banjo-enthusiast Steve Martin and singer-songwriter Edie Brickell, the country-tinged BRIGHT STAR finds a perfect fit in Swift Creek Mill Theatre's intimate space. The production, featuring inventive direction, some standout performances, rollicking choreography and an appealing bluegrass score, runs through May 11.

Believe the hype. Virginia Repertory Theatre's production of ONCE raises the bar for professional theatre and pushes the boundaries of what audiences expect from a musical.

Virginia's largest professional musical theatre has something for everyone this holiday season, starting with MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS at The Children's Theatre at Willow Lawn. Based on the beloved 1938 children's book, the engaging and whimsical musical is the perfect way to introduce younger audiences to the performing arts.

Broadway in Richmond at the Altria Theater opens its 2018-2019 season with a phenomenal bang. Boublil and Schonberg's Les Miserables returns to Richmond through October 28. Fans old and new will enjoy this garden-fresh, pitch-perfect duplication of the 2014 Broadway revival directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell. Tickets can be purchased here.

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts continues its season with the Disney classic BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. If audience response is any indication, this musical extravaganza is enjoyable for the entire family. Arrive early as the dinner theatre offers its audiences a variety of three-course meals that are appetizing and perfectly-themed for this production. Kids will also appreciate a meet and greet with some of Disney's most iconic characters following the performance.

On October 6, 1998, Matthew Shepherd was tied to a fence post and beaten to an inch of his life. On October 12, 1998, Matthew Shepherd died. A tragedy that was felt around the world, the horrific event planted new seeds for equality and birthed new anti-hate laws in America.

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts closes its season with the classic Broadway musical A CHORUS LINE. From the iconic opening number to the show-stopping finale, 22 triple-threat performers work tirelessly and prove this production is something really special. There have been recent tours and productions in Virginia, but this is the 'One' audiences really must see.

Audiences who want to be thoroughly entertained should get down to The Basement to see a sidesplitting production of Robert Askins' HAND TO GOD. Boasting one of the strongest ensembles of the summer, TheatreLAB and 5th Wall Theatre's co-production is certainly not for children or those easily offended. It is provocative and deliciously funny. It's the puppetry of AVENUE Q and the irreverence of THE BOOK OF MORMON-without song and dance numbers.

No matter how many times audiences have visited the titular setting in Stephen Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS, it's likely they've never seen the woods quite like in Charlottesville Opera's clever and masterful production running through August 5 at the Paramount Theatre.

Sizzling with incredible talent and energy, and moving at a brisk pace, Virginia Repertory Theatre's first-rate production breathes new life into the classic tale of star-crossed lovers. West Side Story runs through July 29 at the November Theatre.

Richmond Triangle Players closes its 25th anniversary season with an already-extended, completely-sold-out production of the very ambitious A CHORUS LINE.

Cadence Theatre's latest offering is Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Obie Award-winning play APPROPRIATE-a wildly subversive and disturbing piece of theatre that is anything but appropriate. Given the perfectly cluttered stage, patrons walking into the theatre may feel they are about to bear witness to a live episode of "Hoarders," but what unfolds over the next two-and-a-half hours is far more chaotic.

For the past several years, Virginia Repertory Theatre has produced one world premiere of a new play or musical. Last year's award-winning THE END OF WAR by David L. Robbins was theatre at its very finest, with incredible special effects, set design and a gorgeous book by Robbins. While River Ditty's story could benefit from some tightening, some exceptional performances make this an enjoyable production. Richmond audiences should jump at the opportunity to see yet another fresh new play.