I am thrilled to be able to say to you all – our long 2 year intermission is over!

Welcome Back to The American Theatre

2022-2023 represents our 35th Anniversary Season presenting the entire Coastal Virginia region with performing arts excellence from around the world, and around the corner!

The last 35 years have presented audiences with diverse and crowdpleasing repertoires. We have been privileged to have artists like Bea Arthur, Mavis Staples, Manhattan Transfer, Sandra Bernhard, David Sanborn, The Shanghai Ballet, John McCutcheon, The Mystical Arts of Tibet, Nell Carter, Arlo Guthrie, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo and hundreds more! Our Lighthouse Series highlights our region’s talented arts organizations that make Hampton Roads home – and our Family Fun Series is chock full of family friendly programming with our Saturday Morning Club!

As Artistic Director, it is my goal to combine bold artistic statements with innovative creative approaches, to engender strong support from the entire community.

It is with this in mind, I am ecstatic to introduce our audiences to the 2022-2023 35th Anniversary Season!

From innovative modern music to cutting-edge American jazz, from Broadway blockbusters to a variety of Christmas and Holiday celebrations— next season’s performers are all storytellers! With or without words, these 35th Anniversary performances are telling these stories just for you!

As part of our ongoing growth, I am proud to announce some exciting changes for Season 35 – starting with the grand opening of our new Studio Theatre. This newly renovated, intimate space will provide an opportunity for audiences to have a more personal performance experience with a variety of artists. I hope you share our excitement in the addition of this space to our regular annual programming!

We also continue our price-accessibility with tickets starting at $35 – with a number of preferred seating for those who want to guarantee the most sought-after seats early in the season. As always, patrons save the most money with our Subscription Passport.

I am tremendously grateful for everyone’s patience and commitment during our long intermission. We are glad to have the opportunity to once again share the magic of the performing arts with you. Creativity and imagination are the threads that weave our cultural tapestry and advance our mission to enhance the quality of life for the artists and audiences we serve.

Now, lean forward in your seats and get ready for a memorable year of joyful stories as we celebrate our 35th Anniversary!

I will see you at the Theatre!

Richard M. Parison, Jr.
Artistic Director

The Imagination Movers are a rock band for families and the Emmy-winning stars of a hit TV series seen worldwide on the Disney Junior channel. There are 76 episodes of Imagination Movers translated in more than 20 languages. All episodes are available on the Disney+ streaming network.

The Movers celebrate their 20th Anniversary this year, having begun when four friends from New Orleans brainstormed a show highlighting quality music, positive male role models, and inspiring teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.

The New York Times says the Movers are "prized by many parents for non-condescending lyrics and music that evokes the Beastie Boys or Red Hot Chili Peppers." Parenting magazine praises the band's "dash of rebellion" and songs that are "fresh and treacle-free."

The Movers have appeared on "The View," Good Morning America," NPR's "American Routes," and "Morning Edition" and are a fixture on SiriusXM Kids Place Live. Moreover, the Movers have written more than 250 songs. Many have been featured on commercials and TV shows, including "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," "Wipeout," and "The Today Show."

Having graced the cover of Pollstar, the Movers have performed for more than a million fans across North America, Europe, and Asia, including stops in such far-reaching locations as Dubai, Guam, and Newfoundland. They are the top-rated and best-reviewed major touring act for families, according to TicketMaster.com.

The Movers have performed at the White House for two different presidents (Bush and Obama). They are active roster members for Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE) and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR). They are National Buddy Walk Partners of the National Down Syndrome Society (NOSS).

Bowing in 2018, a leisure Louisiana tourism campaign entitled "Just Imagine," featuring omnidirectional marketing, spotlighted the Movers as spokespeople and brand ambassadors.

The Movers released the EP Happy To Be Here in 2021, which promptly entered the Top 10 on Bill­ board Kid's Audio.

During the last quarter of 2022, the quirky song Watermelon Meow Meow averaged 1,000,000 streams per month, becoming their most streamed song and leading to the creation of an official video. The band is releasing two major projects in 2023, including a compilation album and new material.