Jeremy Bustin - Page 4

When PATTI ISSUES opened off-Broadway in 2012, Ben Rimalower took to the Duplex stage to tell his own personal story-a story that's as fiercely emotional and heartrending as it is witty and entertaining. Nevertheless, it was his story to tell. With Carol Piersol and Richmond Triangle Players' production of the autobiographical off-Broadway success, acclaimed Richmond performer and director Billy Christopher Maupin dives into Rimalower's shoes, and it works, for the most part.

As an entry into the Acts of Faith Festival, Richmond's newest company, TheatreLAB, offers high stakes drama with Craig Wright's GRACE. An exploration of faith in a deteriorating world, GRACE is not afraid to ask tough questions or to pry into human relationships at their most vulnerable states. With only one weekend remaining, treat yourself to one of the most compelling dramas of the season, penned by a Six Feet Under and Brothers and Sisters alumnus.

A joint achievement from Henley Street Theatre and Richmond Shakespeare, David Davalos's WITTENBERG, is the region's latest entry in the Acts of Faith festival. Davalos's script, with puffs of repartee, allusion and other witty wordplay, is heavy handed at times. Lucky for a general audience, he balances his bardish banter with modern language.

Given its short run on Broadway, it's only fair that one would approach SHREK: THE MUSICAL with a little bit of skepticism. But just a few short minutes into this first-rate feast of entertainment at Virginia Repertory Theatre's Children's Theatre at Willow Lawn, audiences will believe in a dancing, singing and wildly amusing SHREK. Together, David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori have written an endearing and light score suitable for the entire family.

Richmond Triangle Players' production of Matthew Lombardo's HIGH is the theatre's latest entry into the Richmond Acts of Faith Festival. Addiction takes on many forms, and we learn that, for some, getting to recovery is the easy part; it's staying there that proves to be the most difficult.

Firehouse Theatre Project, touted as Off-Broadway on Broad Street, was transformed from a decommissioned fire station to an intimate theatre space in the early 1990s. And for Kristoffer Diaz's THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY, a 2010 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the space has changed once again to take on the persona of a small wrestling arena. A serviceable ring complete with ringside seats brings greater authenticity to the 'main event.' But outside the ring, Edwin Slipek's set design feels neglected.

The four veteran performers in Jane Anderson's compelling drama THE QUALITY OF LIFE unpack and deliver such raw emotion that audience members feel as if they are privileged visitors peeking into the lives of four individuals who are struggling with the acceptance of death and loss, rather than spectators of a play.

Virginia Repertory Theatre's third iteration of OLYMPUS ON MY MIND musters belly laughs and proves that enjoyable musical theatre doesn't have to be elaborate.