Virginia Stage Company Hosts Open House Party, 2012-13 Season Preview Tonight, 9/13

Virginia Stage Company is hosting a progressive open house party and season preview tonight, Sept. 13, 2012 beginning at 5:00 pm. The evening will celebrate VSC's new offices and offer a preview of the upcoming season. Guests are invited to follow "The Path to Creating Theater" by visiting the new locations of the VSC Administration offices and the VSC Design Center, as well as the Wells Theatre, all within a 2-block radius.

VSC's resident actors will give an insider's view of the rehearsal process as they demonstrate scene work at the administrative offices at 201 Granby Street, Suite 206. Artisans from VSC's Props Shop and Costume Shop will discuss designs and projects in progress for the upcoming shows at the Design Center at 220 Boush Street. Finally, guests will make their way toward the 7 pm preview presentation at the Wells Theatre. Chris Hanna, VSC Artistic Director, and Patrick Mullins, Associate Artistic Director, will offer a preview of the upcoming shows for the season, along with surprise guests and virtual interviews with play authors.

Three of Norfolk's favorite restaurants, Todd Jurich's Bistro, Trilogy Bistro and 3Way Café, will offer hors d'oeuvres at each of the venues. To reserve tickets for the season preview, call (757) 627-6988, ext. 400 or visit http://www.vastage.com/eventspromotions/season-34-preview-night. Cost is $30 per person when purchased by September 10, or $35 at the event, and includes heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine, beer and entertainment. All proceeds will support VSC's mainstage productions as well as CULTIVATE, VSC's education, outreach and artistic development programs that offer live theater experiences to 40,000 area school children yearly.

Yesterday VSC opened ticket sales for its upcoming 5-show season, as well as the annual holiday extra A Christmas Carol, to single ticket buyers. The season's lineup includes: the Pulitzer Prize-winning Fences by August Wilson; world premieres of The Comfort Team by Deborah Brevoort and Frog Kiss with book & lyrics by Charles Leipart, music by Eric Schorr, based on the novella The Frog Prince, A Fairy Tale for Consenting Adults by Stephen Mitchell, by special arrangement with Tamara Tunie; the Virginia premiere of The Whipping Man by Matthew Lopez; and the classic comedy The Odd Couple by Neil Simon. Memberships are available for the season starting at $90 for 5 shows. For information on memberships, visit www.vastage.com or call a Member Services Agent at 757-627-1234.

Virginia Stage Company is Hampton Roads' only fully professional resident theater company, serving an annual audience close to 90,000. Since its founding, Virginia Stage Company has made significant contributions to the quality of life in Hampton Roads: presenting more than 185 plays through more than 3,700 performances; revitalizing and renovating the historic Wells Theatre; providing educational programs for students of all ages; and preserving the legacy of live theater for future generations. Seasonal support for VSC's 34th Season is provided by Norfolk Southern Corporation.