2015-2016 Performing Arts Season Roundup

The 2015-2016 performing arts season continues!

December 31, 2015; 1:09 PM • by Susan Howson

Original — July 7, 2015

Modlin Center for the Arts

Flip through their slightly challenging brochure (hopefully the web listings will be here soon) and note the “MDT” icon, which indicates the event will be held downtown. You don’t want to drive over to UR just to have to turn tail for CenterStage and arrive at your evening’s entertainment in a terrible mood. Let’s just say some of us have done this before.

Highlights

• Arlo Guthrie – January 30th & 31st
• Cultural Intimacy in Motion: Flash Torobaka – February 22nd  24th

Previously

• Malpaso Dance Company of Cuba – September 16th & 17th
• The Robot Planet, The Intergalactic Nemesis: Robot Planet Rising – October 7th
• Tom Papa – October 16th
• Dorrance Dance – October 22nd & 23rd
• Regina Carter – October 24th
• Jeffrey Tambor – October 28th
• Shanghai Quartet – November 8th
• Suzanne Vega and Duncan Sheik – November 20th

Broadway in Richmond

This calendar’s been out for a bit, but it’s probably time for a refresher. After all, there’s no time like the present to pretend like you’re buying Newsies tickets because your tween niece wants to see it. You don’t even have a tween niece, but we salute you seizing the day.

The Lineup

• Motown: The Musical – January 5th – 10th
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – February 26th – 27th
• The Lion King – April 19th – May 8th

Previously

• Newsies – November 3rd – 8th
• Ragtime: The Musical – November 27th – 28th

Richmond Ballet

Gasp and awe! It’s no secret that we are deeply in love with the ballet, because of their ability to stun us on the regular. This year, we plan to be stunned several times in a row. View their complete season here.

Highlights

• Romeo & Juliet – February 12th – 14th
• The Rite of Spring – April 12th – 17th

Previously

• Studio One: Fancy Free and a World Premiere by Val Caniparoli – September 29th – October 4th
• Windows/The Four Temperaments – November 7th – 8th
• The Nutcracker – December 11th – 23rd

Richmond Symphony

I find almost nothing to be as relaxing, inspiring, and thrilling at the same time as live classical music. The Symphony’s Altria Masterworks series is my favorite, but there’s also the Genworth Symphony Pops, the Union Bank & Trust Lollipops (for the kiddos), and the new Casual Fridays series.

Highlights

• A New Year in Vienna – January 9th – 10th
• Earth, Wind and Fire & the King of Pop – February 27th
• Beethoven, Mussorgsky, and Shostakovich – March 5th – 6th
• Carnival of the Animals (with Richmond Ballet) – March 19th
• Copland: Appalachian Spring – April 2nd
• Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé – May 14th – 15th

Previously

• Beethoven’s 9th Symphony – September 12th – 13th
• Science Fiction Double Feature: Nosferatu and Rocky Horror Picture Show – October 24th
• Sibelius and Liszt – November 14th

Virginia Opera

They divide their time between Richmond, Norfolk, and Fairfax, and those voices deserve a break. But they will take no breaks, people! They have Virginians to delight! (Please note that they actually do take a break between performances, giving their vocal cords the night off, so performances will be every OTHER night).

Highlights

• Romeo & Juliet – February 19th & February 21st
• The Flying Dutchman – April 15th & April 17th

Previously

• Orpheus in the Underworld – October 9th & October 11th
• La Bohème – November 20th & November 22nd

Quill Theatre

The marriage of Henley Street and Richmond Shakespeare elevates both companies to a higher status and gives them some flexibility in the works they put on. We accept wholeheartedly! Here’s their upcoming season.

Highlights

• Stupid F**king Bird – January 7th – 30th
• King Lear – March 31st – April 23rd
• Richmond Shakespeare Festival 2016 will feature Twelfth Night and Merchant of Venice!

Previously

• American Buffalo – October 1st – 24th
• Bootleg Shakespeare: Macbeth – October 31st

Richmond Triangle Players

Specializing in diversity, quality performances, and avant garde programming, RTP presents a season that’s predictably exciting.

Highlights

• The Lazarus Syndrome – February 24th – March 19th
• Body Awareness – April 20th – May 14th

Previously

• Buyer & Cellar – October 7th – 31st
• Christmas on the Rocks – November 18th – December 19th

Firehouse Theatre

One of my very favorite venues for intimate watching! Check their website for more info as it develops, including their Firehouse Fringe series, which looks pretty dang cool.

Highlights

• The Fourth Wall – Beginning December 10th
• Maple and Vine – Beginning March 31st

Chamberlayne Actors Theatre

CAT never disappoints with its crowd-pleasing and thoughtful programming. This upcoming season includes Noel Coward and Israel Horovitz.

Highlights

• Unexpected Tenderness – January 23rd – February 13th
• Moon over Buffalo – March 19th – April 2nd
• Don’t Cry for Me, Margaret Mitchell – May 21st – June 4th

Previously

• Private Lives – October 24th – November 7th

Swift Creek Mill Theatre

The Mill is pulling out all the stops for its 50th anniversary season. Little Shop of Horrors???? Feed me, Seymour!

Highlights

• The Little Lion – January 28th – March 5th
• Little Shop of Horrors – March 24th – May 21st
• The Hallelujah Girls – June 9th – July 23rd

Previously

• A Second Helping, The Church Basement Ladies Sequel – September 17th – October 24th

Virginia Repertory Theatre

The Va. Rep encompasses several different seasons: the Signature Season, the Barksdale Season, the Cadence Theatre Season, and the Children’s Season. That means four times as many calendars to impress upon your personal calendar.

Highlights

• Gypsy – November 19th – January 10th
• This Wonderful Life – November 27th – January 10th
• Saturday, Sunday, Monday – February 11th – March 6th
• 4000 Miles – April 28th – May 21st
• Dreamgirls – June 23rd – August 7th
• The Little Engine that Could – July 8th – July 31st (that’s 2016, don’t forget)
• Brighton Beach Memoirs – July 15th – August 28th (2016 again!)

Previously

• The House at Pooh Corner – October 14th – November 15th
• Equus – November 5th – 28th

TheatreLAB

The bringers of some of the theatre world’s most interesting pieces, TheatreLAB’s seasons are edgy, entertaining, and unafraid. Their newish venue gives them even more artistic license, and the results are extra cool. Season 3 premieres in November!

Highlights

• Bad Jews – February 18th – March 5th
• Venus in Fur – April 14th – May 7th
• Tribes – July 14th – August 6th (2016!)
• Their new Cellar Series, which will feature four smaller, shorter shows. TBA!

Previously

• Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill – November 12th – December 12th

5th Wall Theatre

This company seems to be everywhere these days, and that’s fine with us. This 2015-2016 season overlaps with Chamberlayne Actors Theatre and Richmond Triangle Players with two productions that 5th Wall is co-producing: Unexpected Tenderness and Body Awareness.

Highlights

• Unexpected Tenderness – January 22nd – February 13th
• Body Awareness – April 20th – May 14th

Previously

• Carrie: The Musical – July 10th – August 8th (2015!)
• Uncanny Valley – September 10th – October 3rd

December 31, 2015 1:09 PM 0