This powerful story is told from the perspective of a single performer. An immersive storytelling experience performed in the round that blends comedy, improv, and audience interaction to tell the story of someone growing up in the shadow of their mother's struggle with suicidal depression while learning to grapple with their own journey.  Every Brilliant Thing provides a life-affirming jolt of humanism, reminding us that hope comes from the miracles of life’s minutiae.

EPSG:4326

Every Brilliant Thing | Returning to The Wells Theatre Stage

Virginia Stage Company

As a young actress, Ann Talman landed a dream role on Broadway, playing the daughter in Lillian Helman's classic play The Little Foxes. And the actress playing her mom? Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor.

The show would go on to tour the world, during which time Taylor and Talman forged a loving friendship that would last a lifetime. In her critically acclaimed cabaret show The Shadow of Her Smile, Talman shares stories and songs from that friendship, with insights into Taylor's life and loves. 

Actress Kate Burton (Elizabeth Taylor's stepdaughter after Taylor married Richard Burton) loved Talman's show, calling it "beautiful, poignant, and funny. She nailed the gleaming and mercurial light that was....my stepmother! I laughed and cried in equal measure.” Rave reviews have followed the show in its engagements a New York's 54 Below, San Francisco's Feinstein's at the Nikko, Davenport's in Chicago and more. "Like Halley’s comet sailing across the deep dark sky, a wonder to behold, Ann Talman sails across the stage and into our hearts" (TheFrontRowCenter.com).

Ann Talman: Elizabeth Taylor and the Shadow of Her Smile

A feast for the eyes and the mind, take a bite out of this Victorian horror story reimagined through the sharp, contemporary humor of Kate Hamill. This story of Dracula is unlike any you’ve ever seen — follow these reinvigorated characters through the dark in this disquieting, yet comedic drama that explores the nature of predators, monsters, and the terrors of everyday life. This re-imagined tale of Bram Stoker's classic reveals new monsters beneath the skin and drives a stake right through the patriarchy.

Dracula A Feminist Revenge Fan

Wells Theatre

Harlem, 1930. The Blues are getting bluer and the gin is running dry. A free-spirited Cotton Club singer has just been fired with nowhere left to go but down. So, she turns to her best friend, an extravagant costume designer with plans to dress Josephine Baker in Paris. Maybe they can run away together? Or maybe the handsome southerner that just came knocking can offer an even better life? But the saxophone dreams of Harlem rarely end as smoothly as they start.

Blues For An Alabama Sky

Podcast link: https://youtu.be/4hagYvrYbuM

The Artelize Podcast and Kasper Holten - Pedefining Opera for the modern world

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d36M5Hi6O80

The Artelize Podcast - A legacy of innovation in Opera: Celebrating Marc A. Scorca

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59E40S_EQSY

The Artelize Podcast: A love letter that was never sent

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THv6htilWtI

The Artelize Podcast and Adolfo Corrado: Mediterranean flavors, opera and social media

A co-production with Norfolk State University Theatre Company. In this beloved tale, we follow the adventures of a young man named d'Artagnan as he joins the king’s Musketeer of the Guard. Joined by friends and fellow musketeers, Athos, Porthos and Aramis, they must travel through the rustic landscapes of early 17th century England and France to protect the royal family they have sworn an oath to. Scandal, intrigue, romance, and good old fashioned sword-fighting can be expected in this swash-buckling adventure.

The Three Musketeers

Step into a world of deception, suspense, and betrayal as a retired tennis player plots to murder his unfaithful, wealthy wife…until his plan takes an unexpected turn. Whether you’re a devoted fan of Alfred Hitchcock’s renowned film adaptation or experiencing this thrilling masterpiece for the first time, Dial M For Murder is guaranteed to keep audiences guessing, gasping, and smiling until the final curtain call. With his deft hand for timing and humor, mystery and comedy, director Mark Shanahan (The 39 Steps, The Hound of the Baskervilles) returns to surprise and delight VSC audiences.

Dial M for Murder

Hampton Roads’ favorite holiday tradition returns with a larger than life production. See Ebenezer Scrooge’s haunting journey unfold with inventive theatricality incorporating traditional holiday music harmonizing to produce a tour de force of laughter, hope, and the magic of the season. Don’t miss this heartwarming tale that reminds us that it is never too late to become our best selves. Beatty Barnes returns to reprise his role as Ebenezer Scrooge.

A Merry Little Christmas Carol

This 90-minute, one-woman show features the  Jazz legend and Civil Rights activist when she returns to present times to address certain events in her life, answer questions and leave her audience with a unique perspective on dealing with fear and current events in our world today.  Featuring some of Ms. Simone’s greatest hits including “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”, “I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to Be Free”, “Feeling Good” and “Young, Gifted and Black”.

No Fear and Blues Long Gone: Nina Simone

Virginia Stage Company is excited to co-produce Henry V with Norfolk State University Theatre Company. "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more!" William Shakespeare's celebration of the power of theatre is part action adventure, part comedy and one of the great love stories of all time. 

Henry V

When actress Anna Campbell is invited to restage her radical performance piece of re-imagined scenes from August Wilson’s play, she is surprised to learn she will not be taking center stage. A much younger entertainer will be stealing the spotlight at a new women’s theatre festival. Will they be able to build a bridge between their generations, or will the curtain close on Anna’s career? 

Angry, Raucous, & Shamelessly Gorgeous

Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre! This two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany characters (played by a ridiculously talented cast of four), an onstage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers, and some good old-fashioned romance.!

The 39 Steps

Returning to the stage after its triumphant VSC debut in 2021, see Ebenezer Scrooge’s haunting journey unfold with inventive theatricality incorporating traditional holiday music harmonizing to produce a tour de force of laughter, hope, and the magic of the season. Don’t miss this heartwarming tale that reminds us that it is never too late to become our best selves.

After catching her fiancé kissing another woman at the televised Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, Mary's life falls apart -- just in time for the holidays. Over the next year, she stumbles back into the dating world, where "romance" ranges from weird and creepy to absurd and comical. It seems nothing can help Mary's growing cynicism, until the charm and innocence of a five-year-old boy unexpectedly brings a new outlook on life and love. This heartwarming yet hilarious one-woman play is sure to leave audiences in stitches.  Take a break from the family holiday traditions and make your spirits bright with this holiday date night.!

The Twelve Dates Of Christmas

WIESENTHAL is the inspiring true story of Simon Wiesenthal filled with hope, humanity, and humor. Sometimes referred to as the "Jewish James Bond," he devoted his life to bringing more than 1,000 Nazi war criminals to justice. Intelligent, funny, flawed and noble, Wiesenthal was a true universal hero. His unbelievable dedication and tenacity over decades is honored in this play, which gives equal weight to his wisdom and wit during his long, purposeful life.



Weisenthal

Travel to the fantasy world of Middle Earth, live on stage, as reluctant hero Bilbo Baggins takes the audience on an epic magical adventure ensuring fun for the whole family. When Bilbo is asked to leave his home to search for treasure, he encounters many obstacles along the way, including the legendary dragon, Smaug. J.R.R. Tolkien's charming classic is adapted with imaginative stagecraft.

Play events in Norfolk, VA

Every Brilliant Thing | R...

Virginia Stage Company

Ann Talman: Elizabeth Tay...

Virginia Stage Company

Dracula A Feminist Reveng...

Virginia Stage Company

Blues For An Alabama Sky

Virginia Stage Company

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast - A ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast: A l...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

The Three Musketeers

Virginia Stage Company

Dial M for Murder

Virginia Stage Company

A Merry Little Christmas ...

Virginia Stage Company

No Fear and Blues Long Go...

Virginia Stage Company

Henry V

Virginia Stage Company

Angry, Raucous, & Shamele...

Virginia Stage Company

The 39 Steps

Virginia Stage Company

A Merry Little Christmas ...

Virginia Stage Company

The Twelve Dates Of Chris...

Virginia Stage Company

Weisenthal

Virginia Stage Company

The Hobbit

Virginia Stage Company