TALK RADIO
Jan. 10th - 26th, 2019
January 10 - January 26, 2019 at The Basement
5th Wall Theatre brings the dark and witty comedy of Talk Radio to Richmond in January 2019. Scott Wichmann plays Barry Champlain, a no nonsense late night talk radio host with a few biting thoughts on life, love, commercialism, and free speech in America.
Direction by Morrie Piersol
CAST: Scott Wichmann, Chandler Hubbard, John Mincks, Haliya Roberts
AWARDS: RTCC Award for Best Sound Design (2019) - Roger Price
production photos
LIZZIE: THE MUSICAL
Oct. 10th - Nov. 3rd, 2018
October 10 - November 3, 2018 at The Basement
Music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt
Lyrics by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner
Book by Tim Maner
Additional Music by Tim Maner
Additional Lyrics by Alan Stevens Hewitt
Revisit the story of infamous accused axe murderess Lizzie Borden, a Victorian-era heiress suspected of murdering her wealthy father and stepmother in cold blood. With music and lyrics by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer, Alan Stevens Hewitt and Tim Maner and book by Tim Maner, LIZZIE tells Bordens gory tale in rock star fashion with an epic rock opera score powered by hard-hitting female vocals. The play earned multiple Drama Desk nominations and delighted many a sold-out audience in New York City, with the New York Times raving, "Presented with wall-rattling glee...deliciously watchable."
Direction by Keith Fitzgerald
CAST (in alphabetical order):
LANI FELLING as Roadie #2
ANNE MICHELLE FORBES as Alice Russell
RACHEL ROSE GILMOUR as Lizzie Borden
RACHEL MARRS as Emma Borden
MICHAELA NICOLE as Bridget "Maggie" Sullivan
MORGAN LYNNE MEEKINS as Roadie #1
AWARDS: RTCC Award for Best Costume Design (2019) - Alex Valentin
Production photos
HAND TO GOD
July 13th - Aug. 11th, 2018
July 13 – August 11, 2018 at TheatreLAB’s The Basement
by Robert Askins
After the death of his father, meek Jason finds an outlet for his anxiety at the Christian Puppet Ministry, in the devoutly religious, relatively quiet small town of Cypress, Texas. Jason’s complicated relationships with the town pastor, the school bully, the girl next door, and—most especially—his mother, are thrown into upheaval when Jason’s puppet, Tyrone, takes on a shocking and dangerously irreverent personality all its own. Hand To God explores the startlingly fragile nature of faith, morality, and the ties that bind us. Co-produced with TheatreLAB.
CAST:
Jason/Tyrone.......................................ADAM TURCK
Margery..............................KIMBERLY JONES CLARK
Jessica/Jolene...................ANNE MICHELLE FORBES
Timothy......................................... ADAM VALENTINE
Pastor Greg..........................................FRED IACOVO
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Direction by Gary C. Hopper; Scenic Design by David P. Melton; Lighting Design by Michael Jarett; Costume Design by Elizabeth Weiss Hopper; Sound Design by Joey Luck; Properties Design by Barry Green; Fight Choreography by Aaron Anderson; Dialects by Erica Hughes; Puppetry by Heidi Rugg; Assistant Stage Management by Connor Scudder; Photography by Tom Topinka; Stage Management by Kelsey Cordrey.
AWARDS: RTCC Award for Best Actor - Musical (2018) - Adam Turck
production photos
PUMP BOYS & DINETTES
March 9th - 31st, 2018
March 9 - March 31, 2018 at The Basement
Book, music and lyrics by John Foley; Mark Hardwick; Debra Monk; Cass Morgan; John Schimmel; Jim Wann
A high-octane feast for the ears, get ready for the full-blown musical experience of Pump Boys and Dinettes! Here, youll meet the talented men and women of Grand Ole Opry country, a downhome group who love fishin, beer, and a slice of homemade pie. The 'Pump Boys' sell gasoline on Highway 57, the Cupp sisters run the Double Cup diner next door. And they all love great music, the kind that gets your toes a-tappin' and foot a-stompin'. Equipped with guitar, piano, bass, cello, ukulele, banjo, and more, they're serving up a night of fun in this concert-style show about life’s simple pleasures that received rave reviews both on and off Broadway, along with a Tony Nomination for Best Musical.
CAST:
Jackson - MIKE BAMFORD
L.M. - MIKE CEFALO
Rhetta - RACHEL MARRS
Jim - JOHN MERVINI
Eddie - SEAN POWELL
Prudie - DESIREE ROOTS
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Director - RICHARD PARISON
Artistic Director / Producer - CAROL PIERSOL
Stage Manager - CAILIN LINDSAY
Music Director - STORM BURKS
Choreographer - KAREN GETZ
Properties Master - BARRY GREEN
Costume Designer - SUE GRIFFITH and MARCIA HAILEY
Lighting Designer - MICHAEL JARETT
Sound Designer - ROGER PRICE
Set Designer - RICH MASON
I AM MY OWN WIFE
March 8th - 17th, 2018
March 8 – 17, 2018 at Richmond Triangle Players
by Doug Wright
This Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning one-man play tells the remarkable story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, one of Berlin’s most famous trans figures who lived in East Germany during World War II and who would become the .founder of the Gründerzeit Museum, or “Museum of Everyday Objects” saved from the rubble of homes abandoned during the war. Co-produced with Richmond Triangle Players.
Directed by Morrie Piersol
CAST: Scott Wichmann
MURDER BALLAD
Oct. 26th - Nov. 18th, 2017
October 26 – November 18, 2017 at Club Infuzion
Book and lyrics by Julia Jordan; Music and lyrics by Juliana Nash
Lauded as a must-see theatre experience of 2013 following its Off-Broadway debut, “Murder Ballad” takes audiences into the dramatic tale of a love triangle gone wrong for Sara, an uptown girl who seems to have it all but whose downtown past lingers dangerously in front of her. Conceived by Jonathan Larson Award winner and two-time Susan Smith Blackburn Prize finalist, Julia Jordan, with book and lyrics by Jordan and music and lyrics by indie rock singer/songwriter, Juliana Nash, Murder Ballad is a steamy and fun thriller with a razor’s edge.
Directed by Lucian Restivo
CAST: Rachel Rose Gilmour, Chris Hester, Katrinah Carol Lewis, and Durron Tyre
production photos
THE TOXIC AVENGER
July 6th - July 30th, 2017
July 6 - July 30, 2017 at The Basement
Book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro
Music and lyrics by David Bryan
Based on Lloyd Kaufmans cult film, The Toxic Avenger, and winner of the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical, The Toxic Avenger is a charming love story and laugh-out-loud musical that has it all an unlikely hero, his beautiful girlfriend, a corrupt New Jersey mayor and two guys who play... well, everyone else ... bullies, mobsters, old ladies, and stiletto-wearing back-up singers. With book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music and lyrics by David Bryan, the show also features the most memorable and unbelievable duet youll ever see on any stage. Its a toxic love story with an environmental twist! The Toxic Avenger will leave audiences laughing in the aisles as it rocks the house. Featuring a wailin rock score, this comical musical has something for everyone to enjoy.
CAST:
Melvin Ferd the Third/The Toxic Avenger - ALEXANDER SAPP
Mayor Babs Belgoody/Ma Ferd - DEBRA WAGONER
Sarah - RACHEL ROSE GILMOUR
The Black Dude - WILLIAM ANDERSON
The White Dude - CHRIS HESTER
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Producer - CAROL PIERSOL
Director - KEITH FITZGERALD
Musical Director - STARLET KNIGHT
Choreographer - EMILY DANDRIDGE
Production Stage Manager - ZACH OWEN
Scenic Designer/Technical Director - TJ SPENSIERI
Lighting Designer - ERIN BARCLAY
Sound Designer - JOEY LUCK
Costume Design - SHEILA RUSS
AWARDS:
RTCC Award for Best Actor -Musical (2017) - Alexander Sapp; RTCC Award for Best Actress - Musical (2017) - Debra Wagoner; RTCC Award for Best Ensemble - Musical (2017) - Alexander Sapp, Debra Wagoner, Rachel Rose Gilmour, William Anderson, Christ Hester; RTCC Award for Best Sound Design (2017) - Joey Luck
production photos
Luna Gale
Jan. 12th - Feb. 4th, 2017
January 12 - February 4, 2017 at Plant Zero
by Rebecca Gilman
Caroline, a veteran social worker, thinks she has a typical case on her hands when she meets Peter and Karlie, two teenage drug addicts accused of neglecting their baby. But when she places their infant daughter in the care of Karlie’s mother, Caroline sparks a family conflict that exposes a shadowy, secretive past – and forces her to make a risky decision with potentially disastrous consequences. Powerful and arresting, Luna Gale is a heartbreaking and unforgettable tale of love and betrayal.
Directed by Daniel Moore
CAST: Gina McKenzie, Rachel Hindman, Will Hart, Chandler Hubbard
PRODUCTION PHOTOS
RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN
Sept. 15th - Oct. 8th, 2016
September 15 – October 8, 2016 at HATTheatre
After grad school, Catherine and Gwen chose polar opposite paths. Catherine built a career as a rock-star academic, while Gwen built a home with her husband and children. Decades later, unfulfilled in completely opposite ways, each woman covets the other’s life, commencing a dangerous game of musical chairs—the prize being Gwen’s husband. With searing insight and trademark wit, this comedy is an unflinching look at gender politics in the wake of 20th century feminist ideals. “Thoughtful, funny…One of the top ten plays of 2012.” - Entertainment Weekly
Directed by Carol Piersol
CAST: Linda Beringer, Sara Heifetz, Dean Knight, Donna Marie Miller, and Aiden Orr
BODY AWARENESS
April 20th - May 14th, 2016
April 20 – May 14, 2016 at Richmond Triangle Players
by Annie Baker
It’s incredibly awkward when a mother confronts her teenage son about his masturbation habits. This comedy by Obie Award winner Baker pits partners Phyllis and Joyce against their possibly autistic son. The play touches on “sexuality, identity, role modeling and political-correctness.” The teaser performed by Daniel Kunkel and Melissa Johnston Price was hysterical and moving. Co-produced with Richmond Triangle Players.
CAST: Sara Heifetz, Chandler Hubbard, Melissa Johnston, Daniel Moore