MainStage Festival Shows & Discussion Dates for 2016
Each theatre will offer talkbacks immediately following a number of performances to discuss the faith issues presented in the play. Talkbacks include the play director, cast members, and faith leaders in the community. Play directors or cast members will also participate in discussions at any faith community to add an inside perspective on the play. In addition to the talk-backs, all participating theatres will highlight a few discussion question in their playbills for folks who may miss the talk-backs or who want to take the conversation back to their faith communities.
February 18-March 12,2016
Discussions: February 28 & March 6 804-282-2620 www.virginiarep.org 114 West Broad Street, Richmond |
The Mountaintop
by Katori Hall Cadence Theatre Company in partnership with Virginia Rep Dr. Martin Luther King drafts his final oration and candidly reflects upon his personal life, achievements, and unrealized dreams during a humorous late night conversation. For audiences 18 and older. |
January 22-February 13, 2016
Discussions: Feb 5 804-262-9760 www.cattheatre.com www.5thwalltheatre.org 319 North Wilkinson Road, Richmond |
Unexpected Tenderness
by Israel Horowitz CAT Theatre co-producing with 5th Wall Theatre A poignant drama about a dysfunctional Jewish family in 1950s Massachusetts struggling with a paranoid and pathologically jealous father and husband. The family attempts to maintain day-to-day normalcy, even in the face of increasing danger. Unexpected Tenderness is a memory play about a brief but cathartic period in the history of a family when decisions must be made, faith will be tested, and love is not enough. |
December 7-January 31, 2016
Discussion: January 17 804-355-2001 www.firehousetheatre.org 1609 West Broad Street, Richmond |
The Fourth Wall
by A. R. Gurney Firehouse Theatre This contemporary comedy of manners asks if belief in something we can't see is possible...or just crazy. Peggy believes she's being followed by the CIA and has upset her husband Roger's comfortable suburban life by rearranging the furniture in the living room of their comfortable suburban home. Roger enlists longtime friend Julia and an expert from the local community college to help him bring Peggy back to reality, be sensible, and put the furniture back where it belongs. For audiences 14 and older. |
March 4-13, 2016
Discussion: March 6 804-343-6364 www.hattheatre.org 1124 Westbriar Drive, Richmond |
Creating Claire
by Joe DiPietro HATTheatre A docent at a natural history museum, Claire, an agnostic, comes under fire when she suddenly goes off-script, deviating from the strict scientific beliefs of her formidable supervisor, and heads down a path that espouses intelligent design. Her growing faith at the same time, has an unexpected effect on her marriage in this powerful exploration of the supernova that results when science, faith and politics collide. |
January 7-30, 2016
Discussion: January 17 & 24 804-340-0115 www.quilltheatre.org Richmond Triangle Players 1300 Altamont Avenue, Richmond |
Stupid F**king Bird
by Aaron Posner Quill Theatre An exquisitely narcissistic family of directors, actors, and admirers warily orbit, swoop, dive and devour one another as they grapple with the fatal truth that life goes on, no matter what. Loosely inspired by Chekhov’s classic The Seagull, this is a powerful, sharply contemporary reimagining of the eternal struggle between artists and those who both inspire and are destroyed by them. Posner has created a unique metatheatrical experience that swings wildly between farcical hilarity, searing heartbreak and an intensely intimate exploration of the thin line that separates audience and actor. |
February 24 - March 19, 2025
Discussions: March 6 804-346-8113 www.rtriangle.org 1300 Altamont Avenue, Richmond |
Lazarus Syndrome
by Bruce Ward Richmond Triangle Players A former concert pianist who now teaches lessons at the local YMCA, Elliott has spent most of his adult life as a person living with AIDS. He struggles with the emotional toll of Lazarus Syndrome, a medical diagnosis for the survivor's guilt for continuing to live while so many of his friends have passed. A quiet evening is suddenly interrupted with the unexpected arrival of his brother and father, who arrive carrying Manischewitz, homemade matzo ball soup and family baggage. |
January 28 - March 5, 2025
Discussions: Feb. 4, 19, & 27 804-748-5203 www.swiftcreekmill.com 17401 Jefferson Davis Highway, South Chesterfield |
The Little Lion
by Irene Ziegler Swift Creek Mill Theatre This powerful world-premiere drama chronicles the struggle of a Jewish family to survive the Holocaust, and the heroism of Laibale Gillman, a teenaged boy, who never stopped fighting for freedom. For audiences 12 and older. |
February 18-March 5, 2016
Discussions: February 28 & March 4 804-505-0558 www.theatrelabrva.org The Basement at 300 East Broad Street, Richmond |
Bad Jews
by Joshua Harmon TheatreLAB The night after their grandfather's funeral, three cousins engage in a verbal - and sometimes physical - battle. In one corner is Daphna Feygenbam, a "Real Jew" who is volatile, self-assured, and unbending. In the other is her equally stubborn cousin Liam who has his shiksa girlfriend, Melody, in tow. Stuck in the middle is Liam's brother, Jonah, who tries to stay out of the fray. When Liam stakes claim to their grandfather's Chai necklace, a vicious and hilarious brawl over family, faith, and legacy ensues. |
February 12 – March 6, 2025
Discussions: February 21 & March 6 804-282-2620 www.virginiarep.org 114 West Broad Street, Richmond |
Saturday, Sunday, Monday
by Eduardo de Filippo Virginia Rep at the November Theatre During this traditional Sunday dinner, tempers flare amidst a gathering of family and friends. This contemporary adaptation about a Neapolitan family will appeal to all the senses as the Italian ragù simmers on stage. We will discuss how different faiths use meals to create a sense of belonging and reinforce religious tradition. |
January 27 – February 14, 2025
Discussion: January 31 804-282-2620 www.virginiarep.org 1601 Willow Lawn Drive, Richmond |
I Have a Dream
by Bruce Craig Miller Virginia Rep Children's Theatre Inspired by Christianity and Hinduism, Dr. Martin Luther King develops a philosophy of nonviolent protests to become a dominant force in the civil rights movement. We will look at the influence of faith in the civil rights movement. |
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February 26 - April 3, 2024
Discussion: March 13 & 20 804-282-2620 www.virginiarep.org 13181 Hanover Courthouse Road, Hanover |
I Do! I Do!
by Tom Jones, music by Harvey Schmidt Virginia Rep at Hanover Tavern Set to a tuneful, charming score, I Do! I Do! is a nostalgic and humorous rediscovery of romance that follows two soulmates through the joys and challenges of a 50 year marriage. We will look at how marriage is viewed from various faith traditions. |
Our Sponsors: |
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The Huntly Foundation |
Second Presbyterian Church is the convening sponsor
of this collaboration between the faith community and professional theatre companies.
of this collaboration between the faith community and professional theatre companies.