TheatreLAB to Present Heidi Schreck's GRAND CONCOURSE

TheatreLAB, Richmond's home for unexpected and evocative performance, is proud to present Heidi Schreck's play Grand Concourse as part of the 2017 Acts of Faith Festival.

Directed by Chelsea Burke, the show will run from February 3rd to February 18th at TheatreLAB's venue, The Basement (300 East Broad Street, RVA). TheatreLAB's #weRVA Community Partner is ACTS (Area Congregations Together in Service), an interfaith organization committed to providing support and resources to community members during periods of financial crisis in order to prevent homelessness.

More about the show - "Having dedicated her life to religious service, Shelley runs a Bronx soup kitchen with unsentimental efficiency, but lately her heart's not quite in it. Her brisk nature masks an unsettling fear that her efforts are meaningless. When Emma - an idealistic but confused college dropout - arrives to volunteer, her reckless mix of generosity and self-involvement pushes Shelley to the breaking point. With keen humor and startling compassion, Heidi Schreck's play navigates the mystery of faith, the limits of forgiveness, and the pursuit of something resembling joy."

From Director Chelsea Burke: "As soon as Deejay gave me the script for Grand Concourse, I devoured it. The central questions of the play and the turmoil these characters go through - often because of the others - hit close to home and I knew I had to direct this piece. The impact and return on 'doing good' is becoming increasing complex and more often than not is leaving us wondering 'why bother?'. This is a central struggle for Shelley and knowing Dawn Westbrook was slated to play Shelley really sealed the deal for me. Heidi Schreck's witty, penetrating, and delicate writing explores community, pain, faith, and forgiveness. I'm thrilled to be exploring these themes with a sensitive, intelligent, and fiercely talented group of actors and designers and I cannot wait to bring the Richmond community into this conversation."

From ACTS Executive Director, Billy Poarch: "It is an extreme honor for ACTS (Area Congregations Together in Service) to team up with TheatreLAB as their #weRVA Community Partner for their Acts of Faith production, Grand Concourse. ACTS works with hard-working, low-income people struggling to make ends meet by offering support and resources during periods of immediate financial crisis. As an interfaith organization, we are faced with many of the same issues the characters of Grand Concourse are, and we keep our heads high, knowing that with the help of others who care, we will help one person at a time."

The cast features Katie Ellis, Joshua Gutierrez, David Clark, and Dawn A. Westbrook as Shelley. The production team includes Set Design by David P. Melton; Lighting Design by Erin Barclay; Costume Design by Tyler Carlton Williams; Sound Design by Lucian Restivo; Properties Design by Sarah Hewitt Hall; Dialect Coaching by Erica Hughes; with Stage Management by Julia Colpitts.

Grand Concourse will open on February 3rd and run through February 18th. There will be a special low-priced preview performance on February 2nd (tickets - $15) and an industry night on February 7th (tickets - $20). For a full performance schedule, visit TheatreLABrva.org.

Seating is limited and ticket prices range from $10-30. Tickets are on sale now at TheatreLABrva.org. TheatreLAB is Richmond's home for unexpected and evocative performance. The Basement is located at 300 East Broad Street in Richmond's Arts District.

Photo Credit: Birgitte Dodd

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