Jeremy Bustin - Page 3

The Hampton Roads theatre scene is bursting with talent, and some of it is on display in Peninsula Community Theatre's enjoyable production of RAGTIME. The production follows three distinct societal classes in New York at the turn of the 20th century. Exploring themes of racism, anti-Semitism, anti-immigrant bias and radicalism, RAGTIME is just as relevant to today's America as with the stories featured in PCT's production.

For two nights only, the 'Farewell Tour' of MAMMA MIA brings the beloved jukebox musical back to Richmond. The Altria Theater is the second to last stop on the 10-month 'final' American tour for this crowd-pleasing production.

NEXT TO NORMAL is an emotional roller coaster that's unlike anything in the Broadway archives. It's an important story and the kind of powerful theatre that changes people to the core. The Williamsburg Players' production is not to be missed. It runs through July 16 at the James York Playhouse.

Not since Virginia Repertory Theatre's acclaimed staging of Spring Awakening has there been so much teen angst on one stage in Richmond. Like the aforementioned production, the young, spry cast of TheatreLAB's and Firehouse Theatre's Heathers: The Musical brings tenacity, rockin' vocals and an abundance of snark to Richmond audiences.

IN THE HEIGHTS is a universal story of life, hope and new beginnings; and with this pitch-perfect, dynamic production that transcends generational and cultural boundaries, Virginia Repertory Theatre breaks new ground. IN THE HEIGHTS is on stage at the November Theatre now through July 30.

IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU isn't smart and doesn't have a lot of artistic merit, but it's thoroughly entertaining and offers the kind of trivial comedy audiences need right now. The production runs through July 1 at the Robert B. Moss Theatre.

Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, KINKY BOOTS runs at the Altria Theater through Sunday, June 4.

The Jewish Family Theatre encore presentation of Joshua Harmon's sharp and penetrating comedy, BAD JEWS, runs at the Weinstein Jewish Community Center through May 14.

'Things just aren't nice anymore.' People have different coping mechanisms for grief, a message that is profoundly on display in Cadence Theatre's production of David Lindsay Abaire's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama RABBIT HOLE. The show runs through May 20 at Virginia Repertory Theatre.

From puppetry and stage magic to big dance numbers and notable performances, Virginia Repertory Theatre's production of Beauty and the Beast has something for everyone. Billed as children's theatre, the company puts forth a noble effort to mount a show with many accouterments of a mainstage production.

VSC's and NSU's Co-production of THE WIZ runs through April 30 at the Wells Theatre in Norfolk.

BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL is part of the 2016-2017 Broadway in Richmond series.

Firehouse Theatre Project opens its 21st season with the regional premiere of the 'hippified' musical sensation, HAIR. With so many fantastic productions to choose from this summer, Richmond audiences are encouraged to take a trip back to the 1960s in this trimmed-cut revival of the hit Broadway show.

It has taken more than two years to bring THE COLOR PURPLE to Virginia Repertory Theatre, and the ambitious final production of the 2013-2014 season is absolutely stunning and every bit worth the wait. PURPLE is a convergence of some of Richmond's finest performers and creative collaborators, and is as close to a Broadway performance as it gets.

Richmond Triangle Players closes its season with the Sam Mendes revival of Kander and Ebb's CABARET, which has returned to Broadway for a limited engagement at Studio 54. While it would be a real treat to see Alan Cumming, Michelle Williams and company, the Triangle Players' production stands well on its own.

Richmond Triangle Players is bringing its triumphant 21st season to a close with the reinvented and licentious 1990s revival of Kander and Ebb's CABARET, which was staged for Broadway by Sam Mendes (American Beauty) and Rob Marshall (Chicago) and starred Alan Cumming as the Emcee.

Don't be hoodwinked by the welcome barbeque or neighborly communication. Brick by brick, these products of the American dream are crumbling to the ground in Cadence Theatre's production of Lisa D'Amour's Pulitzer-finalist DETROIT. Cadence's final production of the 2013 - 2014 season, this dark comedy is not afraid to prod at the verity of a deteriorating Suburbia, U.S.A.

A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Jon Robin Baitz's OTHER DESERT CITIES is a heavy-hitting and sharply written drama gallivanting about as a comedy for much of the first hour. While the laughs are many, Baitz's quick-witted script is thick with suspense, disloyalty and resentment. Virginia Repertory Theatre has hired some of the most accomplished performers and creative artists in Richmond to mount the Tony-nominated production.

When PATTI ISSUES opened off-Broadway in 2012, Ben Rimalower took to the Duplex stage to tell his own personal story-a story that's as fiercely emotional and heartrending as it is witty and entertaining. Nevertheless, it was his story to tell. With Carol Piersol and Richmond Triangle Players' production of the autobiographical off-Broadway success, acclaimed Richmond performer and director Billy Christopher Maupin dives into Rimalower's shoes, and it works, for the most part.