Matt Polson News

Richmond's TheatreLAB won ten awards and eight went to Virginia Rep in the 13th annual Artsies, presented virtually for the first time.

A spectacular small musical I adored, and a spectacular big one I missed.

Swift Creek Mill has had a lot of eras that could be called golden, but for me the period around 2008 was memorable. In particular, I recall loving their production that year of a?oeOnce Upon a Mattress.'

For an antidote to holiday treacle overload, look no further than TheatreLAB's superb production of the 2001 agitprop musical comedy 'Urinetown.'

Virginia Repertory Theatre announces the company of the first production of the 2019/2020 Children's Season, Tuck Everlasting, opening Friday, October 18, 2019, at the Children's Theatre at Willow Lawn. This Co-World Premiere, adapted for young audiences from the 2016 Broadway Production, is a magical adventure for the whole family. Natalie Babbitt's effervescent children's novel leaps from page to stage in this vibrant new musical, onstage through December 1, 2019, at the Children's Theatre at Willow Lawn, 1601 Willow Lawn Drive, Richmond, Virginia 23230.

Plays through the 1st of September, 2018

Richmond Triangle Players opens its 2018-19 Season with a new musical revue based around the work of the most heralded and influential theatrical composer of the last 60 years, Sondheim on Sondheim.  The production opens Friday, August 10, 2018 at 8 pm, following a two low-priced previews on Wednesday and Thursday August 8 and 9 at 8 pm. 

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.

As a part of its New Play Development initiative, Virginia Repertory Theatre, in partnership with Glass Half Full Productions, will present the world premiere of River Ditty by Matthew Mooney Keuter.  The show opens in the November Theatre on Friday, April 20th, 2018, and runs through Sunday, May 6th, with two preview performances on Wednesday, April 18th and Thursday, April 19th. Virginia Rep's November Theatre/Arenstein Stage is located at 114 West Broad Street, Richmond VA 23220.

Firehouse Theatre presents the world premiere of Dory Previn's musical revue MARY C. BROWN AND THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN in a limited run for eight performances from Today, December 8 thru Saturday, December 16. The cabaret revue is based on Previn's 1972 cult concept album that centers on a would-be starlet's attempt to break into the movies and the misfits she befriends or exploit or shun her. The Firehouse production is directed by George Boyd, with musical direction and arrangements by Matthew Pool and features performers Dan Cimo, Kelsey Cordrey, Nicole Forret Oh, Jessi Johnson, Matt Polson, Stevie Rice, and Emily Skidmore accompanied by Steve Belven, Troy Gatrell, and Starlet Knight.

Firehouse Theatre presents the world premiere of Dory Previn's musical revue MARY C. BROWN AND THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN in a limited run for eight performances from Friday, December 8 thru Saturday, December 16. The cabaret revue is based on Previn's 1972 cult concept album that centers on a would-be starlet's attempt to break into the movies and the misfits she befriends or exploit or shun her. The Firehouse production is directed by George Boyd, with musical direction and arrangements by Matthew Pool and features performers Dan Cimo, Kelsey Cordrey, Nicole Forret Oh, Jessi Johnson, Matt Polson, Stevie Rice, and Emily Skidmore accompanied by Steve Belven, Troy Gatrell, and Starlet Knight.

From puppetry and stage magic to big dance numbers and notable performances, Virginia Repertory Theatre's production of Beauty and the Beast has something for everyone. Billed as children's theatre, the company puts forth a noble effort to mount a show with many accouterments of a mainstage production.

Virginia Repertory presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast, now running through May 14, 2017.

Virginia Repertory presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast, now running through May 14, 2017.

Virginia Repertory announces the opening of Disney's Beauty and the Beast on Friday April 21, 2017 at the November Theatre, 114 West Broad Street. The show will run through May 14, 2017.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's first landmark collaboration is in great hands at Riverside Center in Fredericksburg. The production allows the power of the original musical to come to life with a talented cast, expert direction, and fleet-footed choreography.

The play itself is a dichotomy. While written by Noel Coward in 1932, and no longer as controversial as it was in its day, the material is still timely and the themes are not dated.

Firehouse Theatre Project opens its 21st season with the regional premiere of the 'hippified' musical sensation, HAIR. With so many fantastic productions to choose from this summer, Richmond audiences are encouraged to take a trip back to the 1960s in this trimmed-cut revival of the hit Broadway show.

Firehouse Theatre presents its Season 21 opening production, HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical with lyrics by James Rado & Gerome Ragni and music by Galt MacDermot. Directed by Firehouse Theatre Artistic Director Jase Smith (The Wild Party, POP!, The Rocky Horror Show) with music direction by Leilani Giles (POP!, The Rocky Horror Show) and choreography by Starrene Foster (Levitate, The Wild Party, POP!), HAIR will play 14 performances, today, June 26 - July 19, 2014. Opening Night is Friday, June 27th.