by Jackie Nunnery –
There’s always been a love of theater in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. One hundred years ago, folks traveled to Reedville, Kilmarnock or Irvington when the James Adams Floating Theatre came to town. These days the theaters may be on land, but they are still a place where folks can experience the immediacy of live performances, laugh, cry, or just escape for a couple of hours in a way that can’t be done with movies.
Like just about everything, COVID-related closures hit local theaters hard, many as they were gearing up for spring performances. While some groups tried radio shows or zoom performances as a way to entertain with restrictions in place, they are starting to return to what they do best: performing on stage in front of audiences.
In celebration of the milestone, Music Theater International (MTI), a musical licensing company, is providing a new musical review, “All Together Now!” free of charge for schools and theaters to perform November 12-15. Featuring a range of musical numbers both old and new, from shows like “Frozen: The Musical,” “Sister Act,” and “Les Misérables,” there is certain to be something for everyone. Local theater goers will have two opportunities to see a production since the Court House Players and The Lancaster Players will be joining 1,600 schools and theaters in 36 countries and all 50 states in performing that weekend.
Music, laughs, romance and sometimes a little mystery and murder thrown in for fun: All appear on stage at the four community theaters regaling audiences in the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. Support these bands of volunteers by catching a show and escaping for a couple of hours.
Colonial Beach Playhouse
108 Hawthorn Street (new location)
The newest kid on the block, the Colonial Beach Playhouse performed its first production, “Dixie Swim Club,” in 2017. The comedy, about five Southern women who meet at the same Outer Banks beach cottage over the course of 33 years, proved to be popular enough that artistic director Bob Christiansen chose “The Savannah Sipping Society,” written by the same playwrights and also about the lives of Southern women who meet up regularly, as its comeback play.
Christiansen said the play would open in early November in their new performance space, just unveiled to the public in August. Located near the pier and amidst the shops and restaurants of downtown Colonial Beach, it makes it easy to have a night out for dinner, a show and a stroll.
Like every community theater, the Colonial Beach Playhouse runs on volunteers, but the lack of paycheck does not mean that productions are not professional. Christansen has acted, produced or directed countless plays and the current cast all have some experience on the stage. And yet, they still welcome anyone with a passion for theater.
“You don’t have to have experience to audition,” Christensen said.
The goal, according to Christensen, is to offer year-round entertainment consisting of six family-oriented productions, which they plan on returning to in 2022, after seeking input from patrons.
So far, “the community loves it and loves us being here,” Christiansen said.
The Court House Players
Gloucester, 815-8504
The Court House Players (CHP) have been entertaining theater goers in the Middle Peninsula since performing “Barefoot in the Park” in 1980. A theater troupe in the truest sense of the word, the players do not have a permanent stage, but that has not stopped fans from finding their productions as they travel around Gloucester, Mathews and Middlesex counties. They have performed at Gloucester High School, Thomas Hunter Middle School, the American Legion, Ware Academy and several other locations, according to CHP president Lara Emerson.
One feature that sets this group apart, is that its regular season includes two full dinner shows.
“We usually have one of those in the spring and one in summer, and at least one is a comedy, as that seems to be what the audiences enjoy,” Emerson said.
But that will have to wait until 2022, when CHP plan to perform what was originally planned for this season: “Arsenic an Old Lace,” “Boeing, Boeing” and “Matilda the Musical.” Meanwhile, Emerson said they are offering a couple of shows in 2021, the first being “Love, Loss, and What I Wore, ” in October, which is an “atypical offering for the Court House Players. It is a show for adults and is the first time we have performed at Flat Iron Crossroads.” The fall show is “All Together Now!” which will be performed in November.
“We are using that show as a ‘Comeback from COVID’ fundraiser for our organization after not being able to perform for a year-and-a-half,” Emerson said.
CHP also is actively raising the next generation of creatives and theater-goers. For the past 20 years, its Children’s Theater has been working to reach children and encourage them to get involved in theater, both behind and in front of the curtain. CHP also sponsors Missoula Children’s Theatre, a traveling theater camp in Montana which offers a week long skill-building experience.
The Lancaster Players
361 Chesapeake Drive, White Stone, 435-3776
Celebrating their belated 50th anniversary, The Lancaster Players (TLP) actually began with a children’s puppet show performed at the Grace House at Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock in 1970 and their first non-puppet production of “Simple Simon” at Lancaster High School in 1971. Fast forward five decades, to their own stage in White Stone and a “Best of Virginia” stamp for Best Regional Performing Arts Company for 2020 in a Virginia Living reader’s poll.
Community theaters like these are important, “especially in rural areas,” said TLP president Luke Rawls. “There’s a need for entertainment, the arts and for people to have a way to express themselves,” he added.
In testament to the community generosity and support of the theater, the playhouse has been continually updated since they moved into the old firehouse in 2007 and now features advanced lighting and sound systems to enhance the theater-going experience for patrons. Future plans include expanding to the neighboring property to create a new side entrance, dressing rooms and tiered seating.
On the heels of a sold-out production of “Opal’s Million Dollar Duck,” next up is “Almost, Maine,” a witty and poignant story of love and loss; and the musical review “All Together Now!”
TLP also is nurturing theater’s next generation. They hold a week-long Youth Theater Workshop every summer, where youth learn the ins and outs of stage production along with a public stage performance. This year’s production was “Thrice Upon a Time: The Wolves Make Nice.”
Getting children involved with theater “allows them to take on a different persona, allows them to be expressive. Acting brings it all together,” said Robin Blake, one of the instructors.
The Westmoreland Players
16217 Richmond Road, Callao, 529-9345
When The Westmoreland Players (TWP) was founded 1979, the troupe was actually in their namesake county. However, when the opportunity came in 2000 to move into a new 149-seat space in Callao, they could not pass it up. But they could not give up their name recognition either. TWP has been voted the Best Community Theater in Virginia by the readers of Virginia Living as the Best Performing Arts Company for 2018 and 2019.
“We draw a very diverse audience from Northern Virginia, Richmond and people visiting for the weekend. They are truly amazed at the quality of theater,” said TWP member Marcia Peters.
The success of TWP also stems from the fact they listen to their audience. “We try to give people what they want to see,” she said.
While there is a core group of actors they rely on, they are always on the lookout for new talent and Peters said community outreach is something they are looking to expand. Workshops may be in the works, but “sometimes it’s better to just get on stage and learn it,” she said. They are also holding a “Welcome Back” party in October to remind the community that TWP is ready to return to live performances.
Peters also stressed how “accessible” this type of entertainment is. “Ticket prices are affordable and it’s a very casual environment. We just want you there.”
Coming up in November is the “Sanders Family Christmas,” a sequel to the popular “Smoke on the Mountain,” which TWP performed in the 2018-2019 season. They will also perform some much-needed comedies: “Moonlight & Magnolias,” a behind-the-scenes look at the making of “Gone With the Wind” in February and March of 2022; the “Wild Women of Windedale” in May 2022; and “Lost in Yonkers” by Neil Simon will close out the 2021-2022 season in August.
