MANASSAS, Va. – The ARTfactory is inviting audiences on a journey back to 1930s Berlin with its new production of Cabaret, opening this season at the Wind River Theater. 🎭

Known for immersive theater experiences, the ARTfactory will transform the performance space into the smoky, seductive Kit Kat Club — the setting of the iconic musical. Audiences will step into a world where glitz, music, and freedom clash with rising political darkness.

For those unfamiliar, Cabaret is a Tony Award-winning musical that tells the story of Sally Bowles, a bold American singer performing at the Kit Kat Club, and her relationship with a British writer named Cliff Bradshaw. The show unfolds during the final years of the Weimar Republic as the Nazi party gains strength, with the Emcee serving as a surreal guide through the club’s performances and the changing world outside. With memorable numbers like “Wilkommen,” “Maybe This Time,” and “Cabaret,” the show is equal parts dazzling and sobering.

Guests can choose from general admission or premium floor seating, including optional enhancements like priority seating, wine flights from Nokesville Winery, and charcuterie boxes from Pampas Fox Catering. All tickets include pre-show entertainment beginning 30 minutes before curtain. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., July 11 to 27.

For tickets and details, visit the ARTfactory’s website.

Headed to the stage first, however, is Lend Me a Soprano, a fast-paced farce by acclaimed playwright Ken Ludwig. Running through June 22, this gender-swapped adaptation of Ludwig’s Lend Me a Tenor is set in 1934 at the Cleveland Grand Opera Company.

The plot centers on Lucille Wylie, the opera manager, who faces a series of comedic mishaps when the star soprano arrives late, her jealous husband causes a scene, and the assistant Jo must step in to save the performance of Carmen. Directed by Vince Worthington, the production promises a night of laughter with mistaken identities and backstage chaos. Performances are held at the Wind River Theater, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

Located in the historic Candy Factory building in Old Town Manassas, the ARTfactory serves as a regional hub for arts, theater, and cultural education. It offers classes, exhibits, and live performances year-round, supporting creativity and community engagement across Northern Virginia.

We’re thrilled to bring you a special episode of the Potomac Local News Podcast with actor Tug Coker, who is joining us to discuss his upcoming role in To Kill a Mockingbird at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Fredericksburg.

In this episode, Tug shares insights into his career, which spans TV, Broadway, and film, and talks about his return home to perform in this iconic American play. He opens up about his roots in Fredericksburg and what it means to come back and perform for a local audience. The conversation also touches on the relevance of To Kill a Mockingbird in today’s society and how theater continues to serve as a powerful medium for community connection and the exchange of ideas.

Show Details:
Performance Dates: Now through June 22, 2025
Location: Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, Fredericksburg
Website: riversidedt.com

Listen to the full interview below and get your tickets to see To Kill a Mockingbird at Riverside Center:

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to see Tug and the talented cast bring this powerful story to life. We hope you enjoy the podcast and make plans to attend the show!

VINT HILL, Va. – A robust new musical set during the Great War is coming to the Journey Theater in Vint Hill for a limited two-day run. Into the Sun, written by Virginia-based composer and historian Michael Gubser, explores the toll of war on a brother and sister who find themselves swept up in the antiwar resistance.

Presented by Triune Entertainment, Into the Sun follows Freddy and Mary Sigfried as they navigate the emotional and moral upheavals of World War I. Freddy, eager to serve, rises through the military ranks but is haunted by the consequences of leadership. Meanwhile, Mary breaks with tradition by taking a job in a munitions factory, eventually grappling with the ethics of her work.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

MANASSAS PARK, Va. – The Manassas Park High School Theatre Department is bringing a delightfully spooky classic to life this week with performances of The Addams Family Musical. The show runs from May 1 through May 4 and promises an evening filled with laughter, eerie tunes, and all the charm of the famously offbeat Addams clan.

In a post on social media, Manassas Park City Public Schools invited the community to enjoy “a spooktacular night of laughter, music, and macabre fun,” encouraging folks to snag tickets before they disappear. The musical, based on the iconic characters created by Charles Addams, follows the family’s hilarious antics as daughter Wednesday falls in love with someone “normal.”

The performances showcase the talents of MPHS student actors, singers, and crew members who’ve worked hard to transform their school stage into the Addamses’ gothic world.

Tickets can be purchased online at this link.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Broadway actor and Fredericksburg native Tug Coker is stepping into one of the most iconic roles in American theater—Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird—as he makes his hometown stage debut at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. The production runs May 7 through June 22, 2025.

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

BRISTOW, Va. – Triune Entertainment has announced its 2025–26 theater season, featuring productions of Annie, The Prince of Egypt, and Tick, Tick… Boom!. The performances will take place at Journey Stage in Warrenton, Va., starting in November 2025. The company is also in rehearsals for Into the Sun, a new original musical by Virginia composer Michael Gubser.

PRESS RELEASE:

This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.

The timeless drama All My Sons by legendary playwright Arthur Miller returns to the stage in an Actors Theatre production at the ARTfactory in Manassas. First premiering in 1947, Miller’s powerful exploration of morality, ambition, and the consequences of personal decisions remains as compelling today as it was in the post-World War II era.

Set in the aftermath of the war, All My Sons follows Joe Keller, a businessman whose wartime actions carry tragic repercussions. As the past unravels, Joe and those closest to him are forced to confront hard truths about sacrifice, ambition, and the moral cost of pursuing the American Dream. The play’s deep exploration of human choices and the weight of deception makes it one of Miller’s most enduring works.

The ARTfactory production, directed by Ahryel Tinker, promises to bring fresh perspective to the classic play, with a talented cast and innovative staging designed to highlight the emotional and psychological depth of the characters. The cast includes Scott Murphy-Neilson, Kimberly Kemp, Andrew Chi, Raeanna Nicole Larson, Chris Beatley, Eleanore Tapscott, Joshua Mutterperl, Devyn Tinker, Anastasia Hanchak, and Noah Delune.

Performances will be held at the Wind River Theater at the ARTfactory on April 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, and 13, with showtimes at 7:30 p.m. and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sundays. The April 3 performance will be a special “pay what you can” event, with tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the ARTfactory website at virginiaartfactory.org.

The stage is set, the lights are shining, and the electrifying energy of Jesus Christ Superstar is ready to take over the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. The iconic rock opera, which first captivated audiences in the early 1970s, officially opened on March 13, 2025, and will run through April 27.

In a recent interview with Potomac Local News Podcast, lead cast members Anthony Nuccio and Kylie Ernest shared their excitement about bringing this timeless production to the local stage. Nuccio, who plays Judas Iscariot, described Jesus Christ Superstar as a fully sung-through rock opera with no traditional dialogue breaks. “It’s an incredibly high-energy show that blends rock music with a powerful narrative,” he said. “Audiences can expect a visceral and emotional experience.”

Nuccio, whose character is known as both the betrayer and confidant of Jesus, emphasized the human complexity of Judas. “The show does a really good job of showing the nuance and humanity in all characters involved. It’s not just about history—it’s about emotion, relationships, and the political climate of the time.”

Kylie Ernest, who portrays Mary Magdalene, also highlighted the deep storytelling embedded in the musical. “Mary is often portrayed as a background character, but in our production, she’s an integral part of the action. She’s always present, reacting, and emotionally invested in what’s happening,” Ernest said. “It’s been so rewarding to bring her character to life in a way that allows the audience to feel her emotions and struggles.”

For those unfamiliar with Jesus Christ Superstar, the musical is entirely driven by its legendary rock score, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Tim Rice. Unlike traditional musicals, which incorporate spoken dialogue between songs, this production is non-stop music from start to finish. “Performing in a rock opera is an entirely different challenge,” Nuccio explained. “There’s no vocal break—you’re constantly singing, and that requires incredible stamina. But it also means the energy never dips.”

Ernest echoed that sentiment, noting how music helps convey the intensity of the story. “Even if audiences miss some of the lyrics or political nuances, the music itself carries the emotion. You feel the tension, the joy, the heartbreak—it’s all there in the sound.”

Since its debut in 1970, Jesus Christ Superstar has been both celebrated and controversial. Some traditional audiences initially objected to its portrayal of Jesus and its humanization of Judas. However, the show’s powerful storytelling and musical genius have made it a staple of modern theater. “The show allows us to see Jesus and Judas as real people with complex emotions,” Nuccio said. “That’s what makes it so compelling.”

Beyond its gripping performances, Jesus Christ Superstar at Riverside brings a fresh perspective to the classic rock opera, incorporating unique staging and deep character dynamics. “Our version places a strong emphasis on the relationship between Jesus, Judas, and Mary,” Ernest noted. “We explore their dynamic as a trio, which adds another emotional layer to the production.”

With its stunning visuals, passionate performances, and a score that continues to resonate with audiences decades after its debut, Jesus Christ Superstar at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts promises to be a must-see event this season.

The production runs through April 27. Tickets are available at riversidedt.com. Don’t miss the chance to experience this rock opera phenomenon live in Fredericksburg.

PRICES:

Adult Dinner & Show – $82 (plus applicable taxes)
Seniors (65+) Dinner & Show – $77 (plus applicable taxes)
Children (3-17) Dinner & Show – $70 (plus applicable taxes)
Military Discount (limit 4 tickets with ID) – $77 (plus applicable taxes)
Adult Show Only – $65
Seniors (65+) Show Only – $60
Children (3-17) Show Only – $55

PERFORMANCES:

Thurs. – Sat. Evenings
5:30pm-6:45pm: Meal Service & Appetizers
6:45pm: Show Only Arrival
7:30pm: Performance Start

Sunday Matinees
1:00pm-2:15pm: Meal Service & Appetizers
2:15pm: Show Only Arrival
3:00pm: Performance Start

The

Workhouse Arts Center is bringing Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage to the stage from March 8 to April 6, 2025. This heartwarming and comedic play follows a group of formerly incarcerated kitchen staff on a journey of redemption as they strive to craft the perfect sandwich under their tough boss’s rule. Performances will take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., with a special understudy performance on March 29 and an audience talkback on March 30.

If you have an event to share, you can submit it for FREE using this link: https://form.jotform.com/221630757468058. Just fill out the form with your event details, and we’ll help spread the word!

Triune Entertainment is set to open its production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on February 21, 2025, at the Journey Theater in Vint Hill, an event for audiences of all ages.

A Fresh Take on a Classic Story

Directed by Matt Moore, this production breathes new life into the classic tale of Joseph, a dreamer whose jealous brothers sell him into slavery, only for him to rise to prominence in Egypt. With a vibrant score, unforgettable characters, and an inspiring message, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has captivated audiences worldwide since its debut in 1968.

Triune Entertainment’s rendition boasts an all-star cast, with professional performer Shakil Azizi starring as Joseph. Azizi’s recent credits include Man 1 in Songs for a New World and Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone at Workhouse Art Center. Other notable roles in the Northern Virginia theatre scene include Rooster in Annie (Little Theatre of Alexandria), Hot-Blades Harry in Urinetown (Workhouse Art Center), and Henrik in A Little Night Music (Reston Community Players). Azizi also performed internationally in Paw Patrol Live! Race to the Rescue.

Playing the Narrator is award-winning vocalist Katy Benko Miner, a two-time World Champion Vocalist at the World Championship of Performing Arts and a two-time WAMMIE Award Winner. Her resume includes sharing the stage with country music icons Brad Paisley, Glen Campbell, Trace Adkins, and Kenny Rogers. She has performed the National Anthem for major sports teams such as the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals, Washington Capitals, and Washington Commanders. Recently, she starred as Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins (Allegro Community Players) and Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast (Hope Theater). Benko Miner is also a respected theatre and choral teacher at Wakefield School in The Plains, Virginia.

A Stellar Supporting Cast and Creative Team

The production features an ensemble of actors, including Peter Marsh as Pharaoh, Scott Pierce as Potiphar, Dawn Gaynor as Potiphar’s Wife, and Paul Correll as Jacob. The show’s performances will be complemented by high-impact choreography from Christie Dubansky and musical direction by Cate Murray.

Audiences can expect to be enchanted by show-stopping numbers such as “Any Dream Will Do,” “Close Every Door,” and “Go, Go, Go Joseph.” With innovative staging and high-energy performances, this production is sure to keep theatergoers on the edge of their seats.

Following its successful runs of Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical, the world premiere of Peter Filichia’s Larry the Big-Time Broadway Producer, and Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World, Triune Entertainment continues to provide opportunities for performers and creatives to showcase their talents in innovative ways.

Show Dates and Ticket Information

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will run for three weekends from February 21 through March 9, 2025, at the Journey Theater in Vint Hill, VA. Tickets are available now and can be purchased at triuneentertainment.com/joseph.