The HRACT Awards
The Hampton Roads Achievement in Community Theater Awards
Recent posts
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Generic Theater’s “Clyde’s” Serves Up Sandwiches with a Side of Hope
Photo courtesy of J. Stubbs Photography (https://jstubbsphotographyvb.com/) “Sandwiches are the most democratic of all foods… a whole meal in your hands” says Montrellous, the kind-hearted, philosophical convicted felon who serves as the de facto leader of the all-felon kitchen staff of Clyde’s, a greasy spoon sandwich stop which has become a favorite of truckers passing…
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“Sleuth” Out the Truth at Little Theatre of Virginia Beach
A few of the leaves on the crepe myrtle outside the window of my condo have just begun to change to a reddish-orange color, which can mean only one thing – we have moved on from the summer musical season into the murder-mystery season at our local community theaters. Though maybe not fitting directly into…
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Come See the “Cabaret” at Williamsburg Players, and Wonder – What Would You Do?
Four doors, two staircases, and curtains all around – the stage at Williamsburg Players for their production of “Cabaret” has many ways on and off, both inviting and haunting, an appropriate backdrop for the show about to play out before your eyes. Before you know it, the stage is filled with the cast of the…
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A Roller Coaster Crash, a Fortune Telling Machine, and an Incredible Cast – “Ride the Cyclone” is a Whirlwind of Spooky Fun at LTN
Photo courtesy of J. Stubbs Photography (https://jstubbsphotographyvb.com/) We live out in the Ocean View area of Norfolk, a part of town that grew up on the back of a (no longer standing) trolley company amusement park. So we were intrigued walking into the Little Theatre of Norfolk with a sold out crowd to see a…
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Relive Eva Perón’s Rainbow Tour at PCT’s Production of “Evita”
I have a complicated relationship with Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals. From my perspective: “Cats” – I like that song “Memories”. Often has fun costumes. Everything else – meh. “Phantom of the Opera” – Fantastic music. Memorable mask. Cool falling chandelier. Total lack of compelling plot. “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” – Strange choice of…
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A Flop? Nowhere to be Found at LTVB’s “The Producers”
Photo courtesy of J. Stubbs Photography (https://jstubbsphotographyvb.com/) Is there a story that Americans like more than one in which a chained-to-his-desk worker chases big dreams by committing a white collar crime, finds friendship (and maybe even love) along the way, and then faces the consequences of his actions? Throw a couple big musical numbers in…
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The 2024-25 HRACT Awards Nominees
We can’t believe that the second season of the HRACT Awards has already come to a close. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the shows this year, and really struggled to narrow down the list of deserving nominees to the requisite number for each category. The winners will be announced at our awards ceremony on October…
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Cats Fit on the Windowsill, Children Fit in the Snow, and Williamsburg Players Fit on the Stage in “Pippin”
“Pippin” is one of my top five favorite shows, so I was very excited when Williamsburg Players announced that it would be closing out their (and coincidentally, the HRACT Award’s) 2024-2025 season. For some reason, the plotline really hits home for me, with Pippin seeking out the extraordinary, fighting his inner demons (including a lack…
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A Room with a View is Worth Fighting For at Little Theatre of Virginia Beach’s “Ripcord”
Photo courtesy of J. Stubbs Photography (https://jstubbsphotographyvb.com/) Yankees vs Red Sox. Jim vs Dwight. Will Schuester vs Sue Sylvester. Phoebe Buffay vs that evil twin sister of hers, Ursula. Rivalries are so fun to watch play out – and you can go ahead and add the protagonists of LTVB’s “Ripcord”, Abby vs Marilyn, to that…
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Hijinks and Hoaxes: the Z’s Curtain Up New Play Series Brings Us “As You Love It”
Photo courtesy of J. Stubbs Photography (https://jstubbsphotographyvb.com/) *Note: As per the performance eligibility requirements laid out here, this production is not up for HRACT Award consideration.* It has been a year full of Shakespeare-adjacent plays for us, from “Something Rotten” to “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged (revised) (again)”, so it seemed only proper that…
