Jeremy Bustin

Andrew Gall has always been a writer – and a multitalented actor, director, playwright and designer for 30-plus years. But in his new home of Richmond, Virginia, the formerly North Carolina-based theatre veteran’s newest project is a return to source material he couldn’t fully appreciate until this point in his career – and he shines it through a societal and political prism that’s never been more relevant as it is today.

Alfred Hitchcock's classic 1935 film, 'The 39 Steps' is a typical Hitchcockian concoction of action, suspense and surprising twists, topped off with a bit of humor for good measure. Patrick Barlow's amusing adaptation ups the ante on the comedy and adds a bit of absurdity (and dozens of recognizable Hitchcockian references) to this award-winning farce, based on both the film and the 1915 John Buchanan novel. Thanks to a superb cast and crew, Richmond audiences can now experience one of the silliest and most entertaining plays at Virginia Repertory Theatre's Hanover Tavern through March 29.

Virginia Repertory Theatre just opened its 2019-2020 season with the Tony-Award-winning A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER. Patrons should not be fooled by its title. Wherewith a darker musical massacre, Sweeney Todd, there was gore and the macabre; this sidesplitting bloodbath is perfectly appropriate for most audiences. Propelled by a first-rate cast, murder has never been so clever and entertaining.

Richmond audiences should not pass up the opportunity to see a world premiere of a new play written by a local actor and playwright. The 2019 recipient of the Martha Hill Newell Playwright's Fund, Chandler Hubbard's ANIMAL CONTROL is smart, witty and intense. The debut at Firehouse Theatre is a strong display of Hubbard's talent, and features some strong performances in spite of staging issues. ANIMAL CONTROL runs through May 11 at Firehouse Theatre.

Richmond, Virginia's Firehouse Theatre, a theatre known for producing new and groundbreaking plays, is currently producing the world premiere of Chandler Hubbard's intense drama, ANIMAL CONTROL. Fifth Wall, another regional theatre in Richmond, initially held a reading of the play. The script, written by University of Virginia graduate and local playwright/actor Hubbard, has a clear message that's relevant to today's contentious sociopolitical landscape. The writer wants audiences to examine their own lives and the lives of others more closely to find similarities that connect us rather than differences that divide us.

Alice Walker's Pulitzer-winning The Color Purple is one of the greatest stories of the last 50 years, and its musical adaptation is one of the most magical Broadway experiences of the last 20 years. Riverside Center for the Performing Arts has captured much of that charm in its moving production of The Color Purple, running through May 5 in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Virginia Repertory Theatre should be applauded for its effort to produce new works in Richmond. If its critically-acclaimed productions of David L. Robbins' The End of War and last year's River Ditty were giant steps toward elevating the status of Central Virginia's premier regional theatre, then its unbaked 'developmental' production of Atlantis, produced in partnership with Greg Schaffert and Glass Half Full Productions, is something of a misstep.

Alice Walker's Pulitzer-winning The Color Purple is one of the greatest stories of the last 50 years, and its musical adaptation is one of the most magical Broadway experiences of the last 20 years. Riverside Center for the Performing Arts has captured much of that charm in its moving production of The Color Purple, running through May 5 in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

For those who have yet to experience this critically-acclaimed musical, THE BOOK OF MORMON tour is as funny and fresh as it was with the original cast on Broadway. Please note this show is not for children. It's not even for some adults. Nothing is off limits.

IN MY CHAIR is such an inimitable, witty and potent production that's anything but a conventional play. It's deeper than a one-woman show. It's a participatory theatrical event that takes its audience around the world on the journey of a lifetime, sometimes including them in the dialogue; while introducing the stories of dozens of women, all performed to glorious perfection by the brilliant DeVirgilis.

When The Book of Mormon opens at the Altria Theater tomorrow, a face familiar to Richmond audiences will be among the members of its very talented ensemble.

Written and composed by actor-comedian-turned-banjo-enthusiast Steve Martin and singer-songwriter Edie Brickell, the country-tinged BRIGHT STAR finds a perfect fit in Swift Creek Mill Theatre's intimate space. The production, featuring inventive direction, some standout performances, rollicking choreography and an appealing bluegrass score, runs through May 11.

Believe the hype. Virginia Repertory Theatre's production of ONCE raises the bar for professional theatre and pushes the boundaries of what audiences expect from a musical.

Virginia's largest professional musical theatre has something for everyone this holiday season, starting with MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS at The Children's Theatre at Willow Lawn. Based on the beloved 1938 children's book, the engaging and whimsical musical is the perfect way to introduce younger audiences to the performing arts.

Broadway in Richmond at the Altria Theater opens its 2018-2019 season with a phenomenal bang. Boublil and Schonberg's Les Miserables returns to Richmond through October 28. Fans old and new will enjoy this garden-fresh, pitch-perfect duplication of the 2014 Broadway revival directed by Laurence Connor and James Powell. Tickets can be purchased here.

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts continues its season with the Disney classic BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. If audience response is any indication, this musical extravaganza is enjoyable for the entire family. Arrive early as the dinner theatre offers its audiences a variety of three-course meals that are appetizing and perfectly-themed for this production. Kids will also appreciate a meet and greet with some of Disney's most iconic characters following the performance.