Virginia Repertory Theatre Presents The World Premiere Of RIVER DITTY
By: A.A. Cristi Mar. 16, 2018
As a part of its New Play Development initiative, Virginia Repertory Theatre, in partnership with Glass Half Full Productions, will present the world premiere of River Ditty by Matthew Mooney Keuter. The show opens in the November Theatre on Friday, April 20th, 2018, and runs through Sunday, May 6th, with two preview performances on Wednesday, April 18th and Thursday, April 19th. Virginia Rep's November Theatre/Arenstein Stage is located at 114 West Broad Street, Richmond VA 23220.
Keuter's lyrical Southern drama sweeps us from New Orleans' Storyville district, up the mighty Mississippi, and into the woods of Arkansas. Pursued by their dangerous past, Arlo and Sunshine set off on a journey of self-determination, finding love in the most unexpected of places. This American adventure skillfully weaves many of today's most pressing social issues into a turn of the twentieth century folktale, challenging a new generation to break away from the hatred, violence, and bigotry passed down through family lines.
Virginia Rep is thrilled to have Artistic Director Nathaniel Shaw in the director's chair for River Ditty. Shaw recently announced his second full season with Virginia Rep, having taken over for Bruce Miller in 2016. He also directed two of Virginia Rep's 2016/17 productions, the world premiere play The End of War and the summer smash hit In the Heights, which received the 2017 Richmond Theatre Critics Circle Award for both Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical. Shaw has been involved in the development of this new play for the past six years, and had this to say about the process, "The journey of River Ditty has been as long and winding as the river alongside which Matthew first penned the inspirational poem in 2012. Like a river, with each passing year the play has gained strength and relevance. We are ready now to share it with our fantastic Richmond audience."
Virginia Rep welcomes a number of hometown favorites in this all-star cast. Matt Polson returns to the Virginia Rep stage to play Arlo, after starring in the recent productions of Beauty and the Beast and Violet (co-produced with Cadence Theatre Company). After completing her run as Ruth Younger in Virginia Rep's production of A Raisin in the Sun just last week, Katrinah Carol Lewis will return to the November Theatre as Sunshine, and fresh off the Theatre Gym stage from his performance in The Christians (co-produced with Cadence Theatre Company), Bostin Christopher will also lend his talents to this story as antagonist Atticus Dye.
2017 RTCC Award-winner Alexander Sapp also returns to the November Theatre as Owen. Recent Virginia Rep credits include 1776, Summer and Smoke, and Croaker. Scott Wichmann will play Toe, returning to Virginia Rep after most recently appearing in Shakespeare in Love this past fall. Making their debuts on the November Theatre stage are Jonathan Burgard and Wendy Carter, who round out this talented company.
Costume Designer Sue Griffin and Lighting Designer BJ Wilkinson both worked on Virginia Rep's last world premiere production, The End of War, and both Griffin and Wilkinson received Richmond Theatre Critics Circle Awards for their work. Set Designer Craig Napoliello will return to Virginia Rep after designing Peter and the Starcatcher, and Virginia Rep's resident sound designer Derek Dumais (A Raisin in the Sun, Shakespeare in Love) will complete the design team. This production features original songs by folk music duo Red Tail Ring.
The full creative team and cast list is below.
Ticket Information
Box Office 804-282-2620
Full Price Tickets: $30 - $50
Discounted Group Rates and Rush tickets available.
U-Tix for college and high school students $15. Available by phone or in person, day of show only. Valid Student ID required.
Performance Schedule
Evening performances at 7:00 p.m. on select Wednesdays and every Thursday
Evening performances at 8:00 p.m. every Friday and Saturday
Matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. on select Wednesdays and Saturdays and every Sunday
Induction Loop
The Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre is equipped with a state-of the-art induction loop hearing system that is compatible with all telecoil-equipped hearing aids and cochlear implants. A handheld receiver and headphone system is also available free of charge for anyone who is hearing impaired.
Parking
Valet parking is available for $8 at all performances and free self-park is available for patrons within blocks of the theatre. Valet is complimentary for patrons who dine at Max's on Broad or Tarrant's Cafe before the show. Due to construction on Broad Street, valet will no longer be located in front of the theatre, and has been moved to Jefferson Street.
Direction & Design
Direction Nathaniel Shaw
Assistant Direction Rachel Dilliplane
Stage Management Jocelyn Thompson*
Set Design Craig Napoliello
Lighting Design BJ Wilkinson
Assistant Lighting Design Matthew Banes
Sound Design Derek Dumais
Costume Design Sue Griffin
Dramaturgy Jane Mattingly
Costume Assistant Jessica Moreno
Props Master Josh Blum
Dialect Coach Karyn Kopryanski
Cast List (in order of appearance)
Arlo Matt Polson
Sunshine Katrinah Carol Lewis
Toe
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