SCKBSTD - A New Musical by Bruce Hornsby broke sales records at its recent world premiere production in Norfolk, VA at Virginia Stage Company. A joint production with Mike Rafael and David Riemer of Spiral Staircase, the three-week run's total gross sales of $236,363 at the Wells Theatre made it the highest selling season production in VSC history. The show's sales even topped the Company's 1989 world premiere of the Broadway-bound Secret Garden.
As part of VSC's American Soil project, a series of new works that tell Southeastern Virginia's stories, SCKBSTD was the story of what happens to a small town when a stranger arrives and paranoia takes over. With music and lyrics by multi Grammy Award-winning Hornsby, additional lyrics by
Chip deMatteo and book by
Clay McLeod Chapman (all native Virginians), the production was directed by
John Rando and choreographed by
Scott Wise (both Tony Award-winners). The production continues VSC's commitment to "put the region back into regional theater."
"The production garnered several rave critical notices from the local press, an unprecedented amount of national press for the Company and even more important it was a huge hit with our patrons" said
Keith Stava, VSC's Managing Director. The Company also saw that Hornsby's name drew an entirely new audience to the Wells Theatre. Stava continued, "It has been such a pleasure working with the authors and Mike and David, and we wish the production great success as it continues on its path toward an eventual Broadway production."
"The team at Virginia Stage Company couldn't have been better partners for this world premiere," said Spiral Staircase's Riemer. "We are currently exploring theaters for the next production of the show and hope to find another great group of collaborators like VSC."
Norfolk's daily newspaper The Virginian-Pilot featured interviews with Hornsby fans who had seen the show and talked about potential next steps. The story can be accessed at http://hamptonroads.com/2011/02/hornsby-musical-sckbstd-was-sick-hit
Now in its 32nd season, VSC is Hampton Roads' only fully professional resident theater company, serving an audience of nearly 90,000 every year. VSC has made significant contributions to the quality of life in the region: producing more than 185 productions through more than 3,700 performances; revitalizing and renovating the Wells Theatre and drawing over 3 million patrons to downtown Norfolk; providing educational performances to over 40,000 area students every year; and preserving the legacy of live theater for future generations.
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