Richmond Triangle Players announces six new shows for 2015-2016 season

The eclectic and wide-ranging season kicks off July 22nd.

April 27, 2015; 9:17 AM • by Trevor Dickerson

Richmond Triangle Players in Scott’s Addition has announced their 2015-2016 show lineup. Six new shows, encompassing a wide range of styles–most of them mid-Atlantic premieres–comprise the theatre’s lineup. It’s the venue’s 23rd year in operation. Without any further adieu, here’s the season lineup.

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July 22nd – August 15th, 2015

Psycho Beach Party
by Charles Busch
Directed by Penny Ayn Maas

Imagine Gidget crossed with The Three Faces of Eve and Mommie Dearest! Chicklet, a perky teenager in Malibu Beach circa 1962, wants to learn to surf and join a group of beach bums led by the great Kanaka. Unfortunately, she suffers from split personalities. Among them is a black check out girl, an elderly radio talk show hostess, a male model named Steve and the accounting firm of Edelman and Edelman. Her most dangerous alter ego is a sexually voracious vixen named Ann Bowman who has nothing less than world domination on her mind! “Fiendishly funny! Zany!”” – Associated Press.

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October 7th – 31st, 2015

Buyer & Cellar
by Jonathan Tolins
Directed by Dawn A. Westbrook

Alex More has a story to tell. A struggling actor in L.A., he takes a job working in the Malibu basement of a beloved megastar. One day, the Lady Herself comes downstairs to play. It feels like real bonding in the basement, but will their relationship ever make it upstairs? Buyer & Cellar is an outrageous comedy about the price of fame, the cost of things, and the oddest of odd jobs. A fantasy inspired by Barbra Streisand’s book My Passion for Design. “Fantastically funny!” – The New York Post. Winner Drama Desk Award and Lucille Lortel Award.

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November 18th – December 19th, 2015

Christmas on the Rocks
Conceived by Rob Ruggiero; written by John Cariani, Jeffrey Hatcher, Jacques Lammare, Matthew Lombardo, Theresa Rebeck, Edwin Sanchez and Jonathan Tolins
Directed by Dexter Ramey

Your favorite kids from Christmas stories-all grown up, shaken, stirred and served with a twist. It’s Christmas Eve in a rundown local bar. Expecting a silent night, the bartender finds himself mixing drinks for a parade of surprising guests – children from your favorite Christmas specials and movies – now all grown up! Tiny Tim, Charlie Brown, Cindy Lou Who and a host of others pour out their Christmas woes in this delightful parody.

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February 24 – March 19, 2016

The Lazarus Syndrome
by Bruce Ward
Directed by Keith Fitzgerald
part of the city-wide Acts of Faith Festival

A former concert pianist who now teaches lessons at the local YMCA, Elliott has spent most of his adult life as a person living with AIDS. He struggles with the emotional toll of Lazarus Syndrome, a medical diagnosis for the survivor’s guilt for continuing to live while so many of his friends have passed. A quiet evening is suddenly interrupted with the unexpected arrival of his brother and father, who arrive carrying Manischewitz, homemade matzo ball soup and family baggage. “A quiet marvel, a play that reminds us how powerful the written word can truly be … rare beauty that manages to be moving without melodrama, heartbreaking without hysteria” – DC MetroWeekly

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April 20th – May 14th, 2016

Body Awareness
by Annie Baker
Directed by Carol Piersol
a co-production with 5th Wall Theatre Project

A wonderful comedy from the Obie Award-winning author of Circle Mirror Transformation. It’s Body Awareness Week at Vermont’s Shirley College, and partners Phyllis and Joyce, and their possibly autistic son Jared, are rocked by a visiting photographer and his ‘male gaze.’ As sexuality, identity, role modeling and political-correctness get stirred up, the results are both touching and hilarious.

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June 15th – July 16th, 2016

The Boy from Oz
by Martin Sherman and Nick Enright; based on the life and songs of Peter Allen
Directed by Justin Amellio

Born in a small town in the Australian outback, Peter Allen made his entertainment debut at the age of 5, was later was discovered by the legendary Judy Garland, and married her daughter Liza Minnelli. As his career skyrocketed, Allen wrote dozens of hit songs (one of which won an Oscar), and performed to adoring, sell-out crowds at Radio City Music Hall. But he also struggled with his sexuality, lost a lover to AIDS (which would later claim him as well), and gambled his career on what would be a notable Broadway flop. Allen’s extraordinary life eventually became a major musical, first in Australia and later on Broadway and around the world. RTP’s production will mark its mid-Atlantic debut!

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In addition to its theatrical productions, RTP will continue its staged reading series, and present cabaret artists, films and offer opportunities for rentals by other companies.

Subscriptions are on sale to renewing subscribers now, and will be available to the general public on May 15th; individual tickets go on sale four weeks prior to each opening night. Prices range from $135-$150 for the six-play season.

The five 2015-2016 subscription season productions will begin with low-priced previews on Wednesday evenings at 8:00 PM, and will continue to play Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 PM, with two Sunday matinees per show at 4:00 PM. Prices for individual tickets will range from $15 – $35.

For more information or to purchase season subscriptions, visit RTP’s website or call the box office at 804.346.8113.

File photo/RVANews

April 27, 2015 9:17 AM · in West of the Boulevard News 0