Virginia Rep's Hanover Tavern Presents ERMA BOMBECK: AT WIT'S END

Virginia Rep opens the hilariously entertaining one-woman show Erma Bombeck: At Wit's End on Friday, March 2 at the Hanover Tavern, the second show of the 2017-18 Hanover Season. Written by sister-playwriting duo Allison Engel and Margaret Engel, this clever show pulls largely from Bombeck's famed columns and best-selling books, chronicling her life as a suburban housewife and how she used her wit and wisdom to charm her way into the hearts of readers across the country. The show runs through April 8, 2018 at the Hanover Tavern, 13181 Hanover Courthouse Road, Hanover, Virginia 23069. Erma Bombeck: At Wit's End is one of Virginia Rep's four entries into the Acts of Faith Festival.

Director John Moon has a longtime presence both on and off the Virginia Rep stage, as both actor (Mary Poppins, Da) and director (Buffalo Soldier, This Wonderful Life). Moon received a Masters in Directing at Columbia University and went on to serve as Associate Artistic Director for both TheatreVirginia and Theatre IV. One of John's passions has always been developing new plays, and he has worked in theatres across the country bringing new works to the stage. He has also been involved in developing plays by young playwrights and teaching classes in the playwriting process.

Moon has partnered with comical powerhouse Catherine Shaffner, fresh off the recent successful run of the hysterical hit Miracle on South Division on the Tavern stage, to bring the force that is Erma Bombeck to life onstage. Shaffner responded to the task the same way Bombeck's readers did, identifying with her and reveling in her relatability. "The pressures that were on her, and the way she made the best of her situation, those are all things I have a very firm grasp of," Shaffner said. Shaffner's other onstage credits include Boy in the Bathroom (Adirondack Theatre Festival), 'night Mother (RTCC Award for Best Actress in a Play, Firehouse Theatre) and Virginia Rep's productions of Charitable Sisterhood and Steel Magnolias.

The same design team that brought the Nowak's Buffalo living room to life in Miracle on South Division Street reunites to recreate Bombeck's home on the Tavern stage. Set Design is by Terrie Powers (Da, Dancing Lessons), Lighting Design is by BJ Wilkinson (Mary Poppins, Da) and Costume Design is by Marcia Miller Hailey (Charitable Sisterhood Christmas, Charitable Sisterhood).

Box Office: 804-282-2620

www.virginiarep.org

Full Price Tickets: $42

Discounted Group Rates available.