The month of April in the arts wraps up with the last few showings of “Little Shop of Horrors,” an art show, symphony concerts and more.
The Williamsburg Players
The Williamsburg Players’ season continues with a work that has won numerous awards, transformation into a puppet presentation, a feature film and tours to England, Australia, Canada and across the states, all with the most unlikely topic: a flesh-eating plant.
“The Little Shop of Horrors,” which has been garnering praise since its debut in 1982, is called a “horror comedy” with pop/rock music, all focused around a simple floral worker in a shop who somewhat accidentally discovers a new breed of plant named Audrey II.
The foul-mouthed Audrey is a bit “out there” singing rhythm and blues and promising endless fame and fortune to the meek shopkeeper to feed and take care of Audrey. The food: the shopkeeper’s blood. Throw in a sadistic dentist, a bit of romance and a few catchy tunes and you’ve got a fun evening.
Directed by long-time Players associate Marty Bussert, the play, featuring Jonathan Aspin as Seymour and Eileen Byrne as Audrey, plays through Sunday in the Playhouse on Hubbard Lane. Times are 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. For tickets, visit williamsburgplayers.org.
Williamsburg Artists Group
The Williamsburg Artists Group is showcasing 20 artists in a display running Friday and Saturday. According to Laurie Rokutani, one of the co-founders and leaders of the group, the event has a wide range and diversity of unique artwork, about which the artists enjoy discussing with viewers.
Offerings include hand-painted notecards, landscapes, colonial scenes, interpretations of ancient Mayan art and portraiture. The show will be on display in the Bruton Parish House, 331 Duke of Gloucester St.
Friday’s show is from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday’s is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WAG was established in 2018 as a way for local artists to show their work outside a traditional gallery. A percentage of proceeds of sales will go to FISH Inc. Information can be found by contacting wbgartistsgroup.wag@gmail.com or by visiting WAG’s Facebook page at facebook.com/WilliamsburgArtistsGroup.
Virginia Symphony Orchestra
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra has back-to-back events in the Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News starting Saturday with a program featuring Broadway star Erika Henningsen (“Mean Girls,” “Les Misérables,” among others) in an evening of music from such musical artists as Rogers & Hammerstein to Billie Eilish. Expect lingering memories of old and certainly new music. Music to be directed by Andrew Resnick (Broadway’s “Parade,” “The Cher Show,” “The King & I.”) For tickets, visit fergusoncenter.org/events.
Then, on April 25, the VSO presents a series program featuring Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with New Zealander Geneva Lewis. Thomas Wilkins, VSO principal guest conductor, is on the podium. The 26-year-old Lewis has begun to make a name for herself and has played in numerous orchestras throughout the states and a few ventures into Europe.
Also offered will be Zoltán Kodály’s delightful “Dances of Galánta,” George Butterworth’s “A Shropshire Lad-Rhapsody for Orchestra,” and Borodin’s popular “Polovtsian Dances” from “Prince Igor.” Anticipated will be Butterworth’s “Shropshire Lad,” based on A.E. Housman’s beautiful, peaceful and, as often noted, haunting poems.
Showtime is 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit virginiasymphony.org or call 757-892-6366.
Bruton Parish Candlelight Concert
On April 27, the Bruton Parish Choir, under Rebecca Davy, will offer the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Annual Memorial Choir and Orchestra Concert starting at 8 p.m. Featuring the Parish choirs and orchestra, the program includes Handel’s “O Come Let Us Sing” (verses from Anglican Prayer Book) and Andrew Carter’s “Musick’s Jubilee” (words from Andrew Marvell, John Dryden and Alfred Tennyson in praise of music). No tickets required. Parking is allowed at the church on Duke of Gloucester Street.
Virginia Regional Ballet
On April 27, the Virginia Regional Ballet will present a program of student-crafted choreography, mentored by VRB staff. The event takes place in the Williamsburg Regional Library theater at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.
Then, on May 4, VRB holds its annual 5K fundraiser in support of the company’s seasonal “Nutcracker Ballet.” The ninth fun run kicks off at the First Colony Clubhouse and is being held in partnership with the Colonial Road Runners.
More registration and general information is available at www.runsignup.com or by calling 757-229-2553. Registration forms are also available at VRB studios at 1228 Richmond Road and 4839 George Washington Highway.
Proceeds go toward offering a “Nutcracker” with live music, provided by the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra in the Ferguson Center. In addition to the main production, VRB also provides “Nutcracker” thrill and exposure to thousands of students as part of its educational outreach.
The Virginia Arts Festival
For dance fans, you don’t want to miss the appearance of the internationally acclaimed Dance Theatre of Harlem, performing as part of the Arts Festival on April 30 in the Ferguson Center. Founded in 1969, the company is a remarkable operation with extraordinary performers who deliver works from the classical, neo-classical and edgy modern worlds.
From its earliest days and continuing to today, the Harlem brims with feeling, energy and impressive technique and artistry.
The program is scheduled to offer “Higher Ground” to Stevie Wonder; “Pas de Dix” of legendary George Balanchine to Alexander Glazunov; “Take Me with You” to a percussive Radiohead; and “Blake Works IV — The Barre Project” to highly innovative-James Blake. Most of the works are recent premieres. No stranger to Hampton Roads, this performance is a welcomed chance for audiences to delight in the dancers’ delight.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, visit vafest.org.
Finally, a correction: The Virginia Choral Society program is April 21 at 4 p.m. in the King of Glory Lutheran Church and not April 20.
Have information about the arts in the Historic Triangle? Contact John Shulson at johnshulson@gmail.com.
