Norfolk, VA (September 29, 2025)  – Virginia Stage Company invites audiences to trade stuffy drawing rooms for a sparkling night at the Wells Theatre as Emma takes the stage October 22 – November 9, 2025. This whip-smart, laugh-out-loud adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved comedy of manners promises a Regency-era romp infused with modern flair.

Playwright Kate Hamill, known for her bold, irreverent takes on literary classics (Sense & Sensibility, Dracula), transforms Austen’s mischievous heroine into a matchmaker like you’ve never seen before. Expect period costumes and settings, but with sharp, contemporary language, playful staging, and music that gives this timeless tale a fresh new rhythm. This is not your English teacher’s Jane Austen.

“Jane Austen laid the groundwork for the screwball comedy. Her original script was fast-paced, with farcical situations and witty verbal sparring between a mismatched couple. Kate Hamill embraces that and has created an entirely delightful adaptation that is both deeply true to the source and strikingly original. I am entirely besotted with this play, this cast and the entire creative team.” -Tom Quaintance, Director

Emma stars Anna Crivelli (CBS’s Evil, Yale School of Drama) as the incorrigible Emma Woodhouse and Rishan Dhamija (CBS’s Blue Bloods, Apple TV+’s WeCrashed) as her sparring partner and (redacted for spoilers), George Knightley. A talented ensemble of eight actors will juggle multiple roles, adding to the show’s quick-change energy and comedic sparkle.

Audiences can expect more than just a night at the theatre. Virginia Stage Company is bringing the spirit of the Regency era to life with special events throughout the run, including a Halloween Night costume contest (Emma’s Night of Mischief and Masquerade) and Regency dance lessons, a special Tea event, and more.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS
Emma
By Kate Hamill | Adapted from the novel by Jane Austen
Directed by Tom Quaintance
October 22 – November 9, 2025
The Wells Theatre | 108 East Tazewell Street, Norfolk, VA

TICKETS
Tickets are available now at vastage.org or by calling (757) 627-1234. Special discounts are available for students, groups, and the military.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (September 15, 2025) — The Virginia African American Cultural Center will host its 6th annual Community Fall Festival on Oct. 11, 2025, at 744 Hampshire Lane, at Lake Edward Park, Virginia Beach, from 11am-5pm. The free event is produced annually to celebrate African American culture.

Two renowned African Americans, Minister Dr. Patricia Turner, civil rights pioneer, and one of the famous “Norfolk 17” who integrated the Norfolk Public Schools system, and arts extraordinaire Ed Joyner, an international talent agent and promoter for the fine and performing arts for over 65 years, will be honored and recognized for their accomplishments in education and the arts by the VAACC Board of Directors.

The festival will be held on the corner of Newtown Road and Hampshire Lane, near the refurbished basketball courts (thanks to the NBA and SITW (Something in the Water) last year) at Lake Edward Park, the future home of the Virginia African American Cultural Center. Families can expect several fun-filled activities, including stage performances featuring M.C. Fred McKinnon, comedian, Forte Jazz Band, Dee Polite and the Phenomenal Sounds band, D.J. Suave, Teens with a Purpose, Shock City Drum Line, TACA African Dancer and Drummer, and Sentara and Bon Secours Health Systems’ Health and Wellness Forum about staying healthy at any age. The VAACC will also celebrate the 2025 award of $1 million from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Visitors can also take “a step back in time” by visiting the “Where History Lives African American History” tent coordinated by author and historian Edna Hawkins Hendrix. Additionally, there will be a bounce house, arts and crafts, vendors, organized children’s activities at “Miss Mary’s Corner,” line dancing with Dr. Faye, and food vendors.

“As we work to raise the funds to build the Center on the land which has been deeded to us, we continue to produce programmatic events celebrating historic milestones and informing the public about the multiple contributions of African Americans in Virginia. This is our gift to the community. There will be a lot to see and do, so it’s worth your time to come out and enjoy the festival!” said Dr. Amelia RossHammond, the VAACC’s founder and chairman.

ABOUT THE VIRGINIA AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER INC. Curate* Cultivate* Communicate The VAACC is an organization dedicated to building Virginia’s first African American Cultural Center in the city of Virginia Beach. Its vision is to be the statewide leader in generating historical content through programs, artistic performance, and curated exhibits. Its mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and celebrate Virginia’s African American history, culture, and community from the mid-1600s and to educate the public about African Americans’ achievements in all areas of endeavor.

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NORFOLK, VA – Generic Theater announces its production of Clyde’s, the acclaimed comedy by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, running weekends September 26 through October 12, 2024. This powerful yet humorous play explores themes of redemption and resilience in the unlikely setting of a truck stop sandwich shop.

In Clyde’s, a formerly incarcerated kitchen staff works under the thumb of their harsh boss Clyde, who never lets them forget what they owe her. Despite their circumstances, these line cooks dare to dream, finding hope in their connections to each other and their spirited competition to create the perfect sandwich.

“This is unlike any show I’ve worked on,” says co-director Maryanne Kiley. “Our set is straight out of a grimy truck stop kitchen, but our costumer has dressed actors in vibrant colors, which brings out their youth and vitality. This contrast reflects the big question Clyde’s asks: Is it ever too late to change? What would it take to move from despair to redemption?”

The production features a talented local cast including Leila Bryant & Leila Stephanie as Clyde, Adrian Rivera as Rafael, Vania Alonnie as Letitia, Andreas Zollos as Jason, and Brandon Bradley as Montrellous. The creative team, led by co-directors Leila Stephanie and Maryanne Kiley, includes scenic designer Sandra Epperson, lighting designer Jason Amato, sound designer Leila Stephanie, and costume designer Ryan Ward.

“This is a show about food and forgiveness – it’ll make you think, and make you hungry!” adds Kiley.

Co-director Leila Stephanie offers another perspective: “Clyde’s is hilarious, gritty, and tender. It’s about people who don’t have the luxury of pretending, yet they dare to dream. They season their pain with laughter, and keep showing up for each other. Yes, they’re making sandwiches, but it’s really soul food!”

Lynn Nottage, author of Sweat and Ruined, brings her signature blend of humor and humanity to this story of formerly incarcerated individuals seeking a fresh start. The play offers a nuanced look at the challenges of re-entry while celebrating the possibility of transformation through community and purpose.

Performance Details:

– Dates: September 26 – October 12, 2024 (Weekends only)

Times: Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00 PM, Sundays at 2:30 PM

Location: Generic Theater, 215 St. Paul’s Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23510 (Located under Chrysler Hall; entrance through lower level of Scope parking garage)

Tickets: $15-$18 advance purchase

Box Office: generictheater.org

Generic Theater is committed to presenting thought-provoking works that spark conversation and build community. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit generictheater.org. About Lynn Nottage Lynn Nottage is one of America’s most acclaimed playwrights and the only woman to have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice. Her plays include Sweat (2017 Pulitzer Prize), Ruined (2009 Pulitzer Prize), Intimate Apparel, Fabulation, and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark among others.

Photo: Brandon Bradly and Leila Stephanie in Generic Theater’s production of Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage. Photo by Josh Stubbs.

Virginia Beach, VA — The game is afoot at Little Theatre of Virginia Beach (LTVB)! This fall, audiences are invited to experience Anthony Shaffer’s Tony Award-winning masterpiece Sleuth, opening September 12th and running through October 5th.

Filled with shocking twists, razor-sharp wit, and high-stakes psychological gamesmanship, Sleuth is one of the most celebrated thrillers of the stage. When the wealthy mystery writer Andrew Wyke invites his wife’s lover, Milo Tindle, to his English country estate, the evening spirals into a deadly contest of cunning and deception. As masks are pulled away and loyalties are tested, nothing—and no one—is what it seems.

First staged in 1970, Sleuth took Broadway by storm, winning the Tony Award for Best Play and later inspiring two feature films. Known for its ingenious plotting and theatrical sleight of hand, it remains a quintessential whodunit that keeps audiences guessing until the very last moment.

“Sleuth is ‘a puzzle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.’ As I began to look at the over arc of the tale of an older man being cuckolded by a younger man and the ensuing tenuous friendship that seems to be developing, I was reminded of Winston Churchill’s quote,” says director Marc Dyer. He continues, “Why would a man whose wife is cheating on him with a younger man invite said man to his home? And why would he then offer to help the young man? The premise went against all my beliefs that no one could not be incensed by such an abstract betrayal. Basic instincts are, after all, basic instincts. As I read further, as you will see, the truth slowly reveals itself. This is not a murder/mystery of the typical variety.”

Performance Dates: September 12 – October 5, 2025
Location: Little Theatre of Virginia Beach, 550 Barberton Drive, Virginia Beach, VA
Tickets: Available now at www.ltvb.com or by calling (757) 428-9233
Note: This show contains mature themes and language. Recommended for ages 13 and up.

Sleuth will be performed at the Little Theatre of Virginia Beach located at 550 Barberton Drive, Virginia Beach, VA. Showtimes are as follows: Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00PM, and Sunday matinees at 2:30PM. Tickets start at $25 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. There is a discount for seniors, ages 60 and up, active duty military, and full-time students at $22 tickets. Group discounts available for groups of 20 and more. Tickets are currently available for purchase and can be obtained through the theater’s website at www.ltvb.com or by calling the box office at (757) 428-9233.

For media inquiries or to request press passes, please contact: Maris Smith at [email protected].

NORFOLK, VA – August 27, 2025 – The joint is jumpin’! Virginia Stage Company and Norfolk State University Theatre Company are teaming up to launch their seasons with the Tony Award-winning musical Ain’t Misbehavin’, opening September 6 at the Wells Theatre. This high-energy co-production is a celebration of Fats Waller’s unforgettable music and the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance.

From the first note to the final number, Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a joyful, toe-tapping journey through Waller’s greatest hits, including “Honeysuckle Rose,” “This Joint is Jumpin’,” and the show’s unforgettable title song. Beyond the music and humor lies a deeper story of Black artistry and cultural change, when music itself became a source of hope and progress in America.

Virginia Stage Company is also proud to continue its nationally recognized partnership with Norfolk State University Theatre Company. Since their groundbreaking co-production of The Wiz—the first collaboration of its kind between an Equity theatre and an HBCU—VSC and NSU have set a national standard for artistic excellence. Ain’t Misbehavin’ continues this tradition, uniting current NSU students with accomplished alumni, including members of that original Wiz cast, in a celebration of artistry and the transformative power of theatre education at HBCUs.

Virginia Stage Company invites audiences to grab their friends, dress to impress, and join us in the heart of downtown Norfolk for an evening of music, laughter, and history brought to life. Whether you’re a lifelong jazz fan or discovering Waller’s genius for the first time, you’ll leave humming, smiling, and maybe even dancing.

Performance Dates: September 6 thru 21
Location: The Wells Theatre, 108 E. Tazewell Street, Norfolk, VA
Tickets: Starting at $15, available at vastage.org or 757.627.1234

Virginia Stage Company is Southeastern Virginia’s leading non-profit theatre, serving an audience of over 34,000+ patrons annually, both at the Wells Theatre and throughout the community. Our mission is “to make memories together, building community through the extraordinary power of sharing a story.”

The mission of Norfolk State University Theatre Company is to serve as cultural ambassadors for Norfolk State University and diversify theatrical offerings within our region. This mission is accomplished by providing University students and the community with professional-grade theatrical experiences that are about or told through the lens of people from the African diaspora.

The City of Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Department is now accepting applications for FY26 Individual Artists Support Grants. Funded through the revenue stream created by the City Council’s allocation of 20 percent of admission taxes to arts funding in 2024, these grants build on the vision of Arts Plan 2030, and drive continued growth in the City’s vibrant arts community. This funding reflects the City’s continued commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive cultural environment.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. See below for eligibility criteria and virtual workshop information. Grant guidelines and how to apply can be found at VirginiaBeach.gov/ArtsGrants.

Eligible uses of funding include:

Completion and presentation of original work.
Career advancement resources such as websites, portfolios, or video documentation.
Tuition for professional development workshops or master classes.
Hiring photographers or videographers to professionally document artistic work.

Eligibility requirements:

Must be a current resident of Virginia Beach (with proof of address).
Age 18 or older by the application deadline.
A demonstrated track record of creating and presenting original work in the past three years.
A clear plan to create new work as part of this grant.

Virtual Workshops:

Applicants interested in submitting a grant application may attend a virtual workshop covering the submission process. Workshops will provide an overview of the program, application tips, and the review process.

Noon, Aug. 19
5 p.m. Sept. 9, 2025