News Release
Virginia Repertory Theatre
Contact: Liz Nance April 5, 2024
Virginia Repertory Theatre
Cell: 804-389-3390
Virginia Repertory Theatre Announces
2024-2025 Season
Featuring Broadway hits and family favorites including Waitress, Fat Ham,
and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Richmond, VA – Virginia Rep announces the 2024-2025 Season: an exciting line-up of
musicals, plays, and special presentations at all three locations, including the Signature Season
at the November Theatre downtown, the Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern, and the Family
Season in the Jessie Bogese Theatre at the Virginia Rep Center for Arts and Education. Partner
productions in the Theatre Gym and additional community partnerships will be announced at a
later time.
The 2024-25 season begins in August with a spine-tingling production of Stephen King's twisted
tale of fan fervor gone wrong, Misery; and from there the excitement builds! Virginia Rep
audiences can enjoy the sweet treats of the Broadway smash musical Waitress, with its
romantic score by Grammy winner Sara Bareilles; and the season includes a unique
collaboration with Norfolk's Virginia Stage Company, with a coproduction of the Tony-nominated
phenomenon Fat Ham. There's entertainment for every age and taste with Dial M for Murder,
and the Sherlock Holmes mystery Moriarty at Hanover Tavern, Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory over the holidays at the November Theatre, and three delightful shows based on
beloved books at the Virginia Rep Center’s Jessie Bogese Theatre: Grace for President, Love
that Dog, and Mo Willem’s Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.
“Our 2024-2025 Signature and Barksdale programming will offer VA Rep audiences a season of
gripping dramas, Hitchcockian mysteries, heartwarming musicals, and sharp-witted comedies,”
said Artistic Director of Programming Rick Hammerly. “We’re especially excited to partner
with Virginia Stage Company to bring the Pulitzer Prize-winning Fat Ham to the Richmond
community. And the opportunity to conclude our season with Sara Bareilles’ sweetly uplifting
musical, Waitress, is…well…icing on the cake.”
The recent renovations to the Virginia Rep Center for Arts and Education will heighten the
experience for everyone attending the 2024-2025 Family Season. Upgrades and enhancements
throughout the building from the bright, expansive main lobby to the spacious downstairs
ballroom provide perfect spaces for pre-show mingling with the family (and a cookie from Whisk)
or a post-show workshop with your school group.
“Live theater is a place of enchantment, learning, and empowerment for kids--a safe space to
learn about themselves and the world they live in. This Family Season is all about kids (and
birds) achieving their goals in both real life, and in some pretty fantastical settings,” shared
Todd D. Norris, Artistic Director of Education.. “We can’t wait to welcome families and
schools to join us in the Jessie Bogese Theatre at the Virginia Rep Center.”
Season Subscriptions packages are on sale now! Season subscribers get priority access to our
2024-2025 season. They get to select the best seats in the house, at the best prices, before
tickets are made available to the general public. Full-season subscribers save 25% off of single
ticket prices and also enjoy many other perks including FREE exchanges, no service charges,
and discounts on single tickets! For patrons who prefer more flexibility, our Flex Subscriptions
allow patrons to mix and match three or more shows from ANY of our seasons and still save
20% off of single ticket prices. Patrons who would like to purchase Full-Season or Flex
Subscriptions can call our Box Office.
Box Office phone: 804-282-2620. Single tickets will go on sale later this summer.
SIGNATURE SEASON at the November Theatre
Misery
August 31 - September 29, 2024
By William Goldman, based on the novel by Stephen King
Rescued from a car crash that leaves him unable to walk, famed novelist Paul Sheldon wakes in
the secluded home of Annie Wilkes, his self-proclaimed “number one fan.” But Annie’s devoted
care quickly turns to unhinged rage when she discovers that his latest novel includes the death
of Misery, her favorite character. Paul quickly realizes that he is in a fight for his life should he
have any hopes of escape. Whether a newcomer to Stephen King’s chilling tale or a devoted
fan, this tense cat-and-mouse stage adaptation will grip you until the very end.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
November 29 – January 5, 2025
Based on the book by Roald Dahl
Music: Marc Shaiman, Lyrics: Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
Book: David Greig
When Charlie Bucket finds one of the five golden tickets to the Wonka Chocolate Factory, he
and the other winners cannot wait to explore this world of sweets, treats, and pure imagination.
But once inside, they embark on an extraordinary journey through Willy Wonka’s marvelously
madcap mind and soon discover that nobody leaves this factory the same way that they arrived.
This whimsical musical is fun for the entire family.
Fat Ham
March 1 – March 23, 2025
By James ljames
Coproduced with Virginia Stage Company
Hamlet, but with more barbecue and less barbary. Fat Ham reimagines Shakespeare’s story of
murder and revenge into what The New York Times calls “a hilarious yet profound tragedy
smothered in comedy.” Juicy, a Black queer Southern kid, already has a lot on his plate when
his father’s ghost appears, demanding vengeance. As generations clash during the family’s
backyard barbecue, Juicy must confront the legacy of violence in which he has been raised and
decide the man he wants to be in James Ijames’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play fresh from its
Tony-nominated Broadway run.
Waitress
June 21 - August 3, 2025
Book by Jessie Nelson
Music and Lyrics: Sara Bareilles
Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker, finds herself stuck in a small town and a loveless
marriage. When a nearby baking contest offers her the chance of escape, and with support from
her fellow waitresses, loyal customers, and an unexpected romance, Jenna begins to find the
courage to take her long-abandoned dream off the shelf. Waitress featuring the music of
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, celebrates the power of friendship, dreams,
the family we choose, and the quality of a well-baked pie.
BARKSDALE SEASON at Hanover Tavern
Moriarty
December 13, 2024 - January 19, 2025
By Ken Ludwig
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are back on the case! An investigation into the Bohemian
king’s stolen letters cascades into an international mystery filled with spies, blackmail, and
intrigue. With world peace at stake, Holmes and Watson join forces with American actress Irene
Adler to take down cunning criminal mastermind Professor Moriarty and his network of devious
henchmen. Five actors play over 40 roles in this brand new adventure that has danger — and
laughter — around every corner.
Dial M for Murder
March 29 - April 27, 2025
Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher
Hitchcock’s classic murder mystery is re-envisioned in Jeffrey Hatcher’s suspenseful, lot-
twisting adaptation. Former writer Tony Wendice concocts a plan to murder his wealthy wife,
Margot. When the deadly scheme goes awry, Margot, with the help of a sharp-witted detective,
fights to clear her name and reveal the truth about her husband’s lethal intentions. With its
exploration of greed, power, and manipulation, this clever, fast-paced reimagining adds
additional layers to the iconic tale, making the question of “Will he get away with it?” even more
thrilling.
FAMILY SEASON:
Jessie Bogese Theatre inside Virginia Rep Center for Arts and Education
Grace for President
October 12 - November 3, 2024
Based on the book by Kelly S. DiPucchio
Book, music and lyrics by Joan Cushing
When Grace Campbell's teacher reveals that the United States has never had a female
president, she decides to be the first. This timely story gives a fun introduction to the American
electoral system, and teaches the value of hard work, courage, and independent thought.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory See Signature Season at the November Theatre
November 29 – January 5, 2025
Love That Dog
February 8 – March 25
Based on the book Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
Adapted by Andrew Frank and Jason Howard
Based on the best-selling kids' book by Newbery Medal-winning author Sharon Creech, this
compelling one-person show tells the story of a boy and his dog as he discovers the power of
his own voice. Weaving poetry by Robert Frost, William Carlos Williams and Walter Dean
Myers, it's an utterly delightful and surprisingly moving experience for audiences of all ages.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
April 19 - May 11, 2025 Theatre for Young Audiences Version
Script by Mo Willems based on his book
Music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the #1 New York Times bestselling, Caldecott
Honor award-winning "Pigeon" picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma
(Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play!), this show is even more fun than staying up late and
having a hot dog party! It's not easy being the Pigeon-you never get to do ANYTHING! But
when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that
wily bird CAN do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, this musical is
sure to get everyone's wings flapping.
SPECIAL EVENT:
Gospel Nativity
Dec 12-22, 2024
Conceived, Written, and Directed by Demone Seraphin.
Jessie Bogese Theatre in Virginia Rep Center
In partnership with Virginia Union University
What better way to ring in the holiday season than with the exuberant sounds of Gospel music,
high octane dancing and culturally colorful costumes underscoring the retelling of one of the
greatest stories ever told! Gospel Nativity promises to lift your spirit and warm your heart as we
journey from Nazareth to Richmond on the wings of the birth of the Christ child. So bring your
entire family and get in the spirit with Virginia Rep.
About Virginia Repertory Theatre
Virginia Repertory Theatre is a regional professional theater headquartered in downtown
Richmond, and is one of the largest performing arts organizations in Central Virginia. Virginia
Rep will stage three primary seasons in 2024-2025: the Signature Season at the Sara Belle and
Neil November Theatre, the Barksdale Season at the Hanover Tavern and the Family Season at
Virginia Rep Center for Arts and Education, 4204 Hermitage Road in Richmond’s Bellevue
neighborhood. Virginia Rep also tours children's shows, both virtual and live, and provides
educational programming to schools throughout Virginia and to major performing arts centers
throughout 32 states.
Season Supporters
Altria
The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation
The Virginia Commission for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
The Shubert Foundation
CultureWorks
