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
Traveling Home in Orisha Land
Spoken Word: David F. Riddick
Lighting Director: Derrion Hawkins
Projection Manager: David F. Riddick and Aisha Moore
Obatala Creations
Choreographer: David F. Riddick
Lighting Director: Derrion Hawkins
Costumes: David F. Riddick
Projection Manager: David F. Riddick and Aisha Moore
Dancer: Wanda Christian
Spoken Word Composer: David F. Riddick
Yemaya of the Healed Souls
Choreographer: David F. Riddick
Lighting Director: Derrion Hawkins
Costumes: Mama Makita
Projection Manager: David F. Riddick and Aisha Moore
Dancers: Wanda Christian and Adrian Tierney
Spoken Word Composer: David F. Riddick
Oshun the Mighty Memory
Choreographer: David F. Riddick
Lighting Director: Derrion Hawkins
Costumes: Mama Makita
Projection Manager: David F. Riddick, Aisha Moore
Dancers: Adrian Tierney
Spoken Word Composer: David F. Riddick
Wise Eyes
Choreographer: David F. Riddick
Lighting Director: Derrion Hawkins
Costumes: Lyaner Store, Funyyzo Store
Projection Manager: David F. Riddick and Aisha Moore
Dancers: Wanda Christian, Adrian Tierney, and David F. Riddick
Music Composer: Thomas Dudley II and David F. Riddick
Sound Engineer: Thomas Dudley II
Songsters: Lauren Jenkins
Spoken word Composer: David F. Riddick
15 min intermission
“That night, in my bed when I closed my eyes, bee hum ran through my body. Ran through the whole earth. It was the oldest sound there was. Souls flying away. “The Secret Life of Bees
A SERMON FOR A NEW CHURCH
(a work in progress)
Special Guest: Wanda Mitchell and the Harmonics
Choreographer: Marshall Swiney
Dancers: David Riddick, Wanda Christian, and Adrien Tierney
Lighting Designer:
Music: Henry Purcell, Arvo Part and Edwin Hawkins, Negro Spirituals
Projection Design: Marshall Swiney
Costume Designer: Marshall Swiney
Singers: Wanda Mitchell, soloist
Harmonics-Madeleine Parr, Samiyah Meriwether, Jasmine Beale, Cymiah Freeman, Shalise Green-Linzy, Gabriel Hill, Narc Freeman, and Isaiah Miller.
Special Thank you: The American Theatre and Staff, The City of Hampton, The Commission of the Arts, David Riddick, Marshall Swiney, Aisha Moore, Wanda Mitchell, Wanda Christian, Adrian Tierney, Carol Foster, Marlies Yearby, Board of Directors of Beauty for Ashes Contemporary School of Dance, Staff of Beauty for Ashes Contemporary School of Dance, Riddick Dance Company members, Alex Smith, Willie Mae Langford, Ashley Pair, Hari Om Tat Sat, Daisy Bryant, Thelma Hill Performing Arts Center, and The Harmonics.
