As summer fades, autumn will eventually bring crisper weather, the inevitable onslaught of pumpkin spice in everything and a new performing arts season to Hampton Roads. This fall is no different as Hampton Roads’ diverse and vibrant performing arts scene continues to expand and making positive contributions to our local culture.
What follows is a curated selection of events and shows that may be of interest to our readers. Mark your calendars – it’s going to be fun and entertaining!
Did we miss something? If you don’t see a show or event listed here, let us know so we can add to our calendar of events or you can submit your event HERE.
Virginia Stage Company
Entering its milestone 40th season, Virginia Stage Company (VSC) has assembled an interesting season with something for nearly every interest and audience. Below is a selection of their shows in their 40th season. For a full schedule and membership information, visit VSC HERE.
“Always…Patsy Cline” – September 12-30
Starting off the season is the classic “Always…Patsy Cline” running from September 12-30 that celebrates the life and music of one of country music’s most iconic voices and her unlikely friendship with a Houston housewife. Buy tickets here.
“The Santaland Diaries” – December 6 – 16
A modern holiday classic based on the memoir of award-winning comedic author David Sedaris, this hilarious one-man-show takes us back to ye olden days when he was one of Santa’s Elves at Macy’s Department Store. Buy tickets here.
“Fun Home” – January 23 – February 10, 2019
Alison Bechdel’s iconic graphic novel comes to life in this Tony Award-winning masterpiece musical. Follow her journey of self-discovery as Alison recounts the mysteries of her childhood with her father in the family funeral home. Coming to understand her past leads her on a path of self-discovery and her own journey as an LGBTQ writer, artist, and woman.
The Zeiders American Dream Theater
Zeiders American Dream Theater’s new state of the art theater consisting of a 309 seat Main Stage Theater and 120 seat Studio Theater will hold its grand opening the same weekend as the Proteus Festival from October 5-7.
Taking its roots from the likes of SXSW in Austin, Texas, Proteus Festival offers a whole weekend of music, theater and film. Zeiders new facility will bring innovative productions and community engagement to Virginia Beach. Entrance badges for the entire weekend or individual tickets are available HERE.
The American Theater
The intimate American Theater in Hampton celebrates its 31st anniversary on September 29 with a gala and performance by Virginia native and Tony Award Nominee, Emily Skinner, along with youth performers from the celebrated Hurrah Players. Other performances during their season of interest include:
“An Evening with Jennifer Holliday” – October 6
Jennifer Holliday burst onto Broadway as the original Effie in Dreamgirls, winning a Tony Award for her performance and firmly placing her among musical theater’s greatest stars. More than 35 years later, her big, soulful voice continues to entertain audiences worldwide, including Broadway’s recent revival of The Color Purple. Buy tickets HERE.
“An Evening with Lynda Carter” – October 27
Most superfans recognize Lynda Carter as the original “Wonder Woman,” from the hit 1970s TV series, but the Miss World USA winner has been singing from the age of five and has performed globally. Carter’s latest album, Red Rock N’ Blues, features re-imagined arrangements of timeless hits such as The Supremes’ “Stop! In the Name of Love” and The Everly Brothers’ “All I Have to Do Is Dream.” Buy tickets HERE.
For a full list of events and shows at The American Theater, visit their website HERE.
The Sandler Center
The past decade, the Sandler Center has become an anchor of Town Center, bringing popular mainstream theatrical programming to Virginia Beach. For a full schedule of their season, visit their website HERE.
“La Cage Aux Folles” – October 12-14
Special Pride Night for LGBTQ Community on October 13! Call the Virginia Musical Theatre at 757-340-5446 for tickets to this show only.
Virginia Musical Theatre is a resident company at the Sandler Center and will open its 28th season, celebrating Divas and Legends, with the hilarious and heartwarming, gender-bending musical comedy La Cage Aux Folles. The winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, La Cage is one of the all-time biggest Broadway hits.
Virginia Symphony Orchestra (VSO)
VSO Musical Director JoAnn Falleta enters her last two years conducting the Virginia Symphony Orchestra begins the 2018-19 season with Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition this weekend. Next month, VSO will present Boléro. For a full list of concerts visit the VSO page HERE.
Boléro – October 19-21
JoAnn Falletta and the VSO return for Ravel’s most famous work, Boléro. This melodic, whimsical work – originally composed as a ballet – is a perfect example of Ravel’s preoccupation with restyling and reinventing dance movements. Buy tickets HERE.
Broadway A to Z … ABBA to Les Miz! – January 18-19, 2019
Your favorite Broadway hits spanning the decades, from Jerome Kern to Comden and Green. Featuring songs from: SHOWBOAT, Les Misèrables, Guys and Dolls, The King And I, Peter Pan, Rent, West Side Story, La Cage Aux Folles, Cabaret, and The Music Man. Buy tickets HERE.
Chrysler Hall
Since its grand opening in 1972, Chrysler Hall has served as the premiere performing arts center of Hampton Roads. After celebrating our 40th season the number of events hosted annually has grown to more than 140, with attendance of more than 150,000 patrons a year.
Eddie Izzard – October 7
Comedian Eddie Izzard brings his new show, Eddie Izzard: Believe Me Tour to Chrysler Hall on October 7. This funny and emotional show reveals the man behind the stand-up with all of the fascination with the ridiculous fans expect from an Eddie Izzard performance. Buy tickets HERE.
The Greatest Love of All: The Whitney Houston Show – October 21
Whitney’s musical legacy is brought to life in this critically acclaimed stage show described as “mind-blowingly spot on” with the vocals of Belinda Davids – a RiSA chart-topping artist in her home country of South Africa and the accompaniment of a live band, backing vocalists and choreographed dancers. Buy tickets HERE.
RENT: 20th Anniversary Tour – January 4-6, 2016
Tickets go on sale October 19 for this Tony and Pulitzer award-winning Broadway based on Puccini’s La Bohème, RENT follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out.
Attucks Theatre
Located on Norfolk’s historic Church Street, one of the oldest thoroughfares in the city, the Attucks Theatre was originally known as the “Apollo Theatre of the South.” Designed by African-American architect Harvey Johnson, the theatre opened in 1919, and showcased a host of legendary performers such as Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Ruth Brown and Redd Foxx. Check out the Attucks full schedule HERE.
Suicide Girls Blackheart Burlesque – October 3
One of the sexiest, smartest, geekiest, and most fun definitive pop-culture burlesque show featuring none other than SuicideGirls. the SuicideGirls has been redefining beauty since 2001. Check out blackheartburlesque.com for more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.
Lisa Loeb – December 7
Gen-X pin-up and original ‘adorkable’ singer and songwriter Lisa Loeb visits the Attucks Theatre on December 7. Loeb is a touring artist, author and philanthropist who started her career with the platinum-selling Number 1 hit song “Stay (I Missed You)” from the film Reality Bites. Tickets available HERE.
Harrison Opera House
Once a World War II USO theater, this historic venue was lavishly renovated in 1993 with 1,632 seats, the Virginia Opera Company serves as the Harrison Opera House’s resident company and features other events and performances throughout the year.
“Street Scene” Virginia Opera Company – Sept. 28, 30, Oct. 2
Hailed by critics as the first truly “American Opera,” and winner of the very first Tony Award for Best Original Score (1947), Street Scene mixed comedy, romance, and tragedy inside a single New York City tenement. Tickets HERE.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live! Featuring ‘The Brain’ – October 16
“Don Giovanni” Virginia Opera Company – Nov. 2, 4 & 6, 2018
Don Giovanni is considered one of the top 10 operas in the world and blends comedy, melodrama and supernatural elements into Mozart’s popular opera.
The Little Theatre of Virginia Beach (LTVB)
LTVB is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization that has been bringing live theatre to the community since 1948. Our mission is to educate and to provide our community with quality live theatrical experiences at affordable prices while developing and showcasing local talent. For a complete list of their 2018-19 season, visit their website HERE.
“Mothers and Sons” – March 15 – April 7, 2019
At turns funny and powerful, Mothers and Sons portrays a woman who pays an unexpected visit to the New York apartment of her late son’s partner, who is now married to another man and has a young son. Challenged to face how society has changed around her, generations collide as she revisits the past and begins to see the life her son might have led. Tickets available HERE.
The Hurrah Players
The Hurrah Players, Inc., Virginia’s Leading Family Theatre Company, is celebrating its 35th Season recognized for the quality and affordability of its performing arts education family friendly programs and productions. More information about their landmark 35th seasons is available HERE.
“Annie” – October 12-14
Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, ANNIE is a worldwide phenomenon with seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next to nothing start in 1930s New York City. Purchase tickets HERE.
