Barter prepares for 75th season

By JUSTIN HARMON/Staff

Seventy-five years ago, a group of hungry actors stepped into the lights washing the stage and performed “After Tomorrow.”
Those actors were the first Barter actors. The play, the first the now-three-quarters of a century old theater produced.
Author Sherwood Anderson, then editor of the newspaper in Smyth County reviewed that first effort.
“The play itself wasn’t much… the acting much better than the play,” he wrote. “‘After Tomorrow’ gave us, and this is really the main thing, an honest-to-goodness evening at the theater. And Barter Theatre will surely give us more.”
More, even now, is what’s in store.
Artistic Director Richard Rose called the State Theater of Virginia’s 75th anniversary a momentous occasion, one that should be marked with a high-profile seasons.
“It’s a very special season,” he said. “Your 75th only happens once.”
This year’s season includes several old favorites as well as some universal hits like “Sweeny Todd,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Peter Pan.”
“We’ll have flying actors, sword fights, Captain Hook and everything,” said Director of Production Nick Piper.
On top of the classics and favorites, the Barter will perform several new pieces, ones that promise to attract a new breed of theatergoer and maybe raise a few eyebrows.
Rose said the 75th will be the occasion for Barter players to perform in their first rock operas. The Who’s “Tommy” and “Bat Boy: The Tabloid Musical” are scheduled for midseason.
“We’re the first in the world to do a stage show of ‘Tommy,’” said Rose.
The actors, for their part, are excited about the busy season.
“I would venture to say that the 2008 season is the most ambitious season that any theater has ever attempted,” said veteran Barter actor Rick McVey.
McVey said he isn’t expecting to come out of the season without a little fatigue.
“If you love what you do, you might be tired, but you’re still loving it,” he said.
McVey and Piper said actors would trade off roles in different productions to avoid burnout. When one actor has a demanding role in one play, he or she will take on a smaller role in another to balance it out.
“Everyone’s just itching to get the season started,” Piper said.
While the huge season may be enough to be excited about, Rose is hoping the varied shows will carry the Barter into the future with a whole new vision.
He said the lineup was picked purposefully in hopes of attracting new audiences while satisfying the regulars.
From the family friendly atmosphere to the eccentric air of rock opera, Rose has set out to make this year’s season palatable to nearly anyone who wants to find a seat in either of the two theater building.
“There’s something special about the moment,” he said. “You can’t let it pass.”




What’s playing
Pow’r in the Blood – Jan. 25
Peter Pan – Feb. 5
Black Bird – Feb. 21
Saint Joan – Feb. 29
The Road Where It Curves Away – March 11
Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing – April 15
Keep on the Sunny Side: The Songs and Story of the Original Carter Family – April 24
Don’t Cry for Me Margaret Mitchell – May 15
An Andrew Lloyd Weber Musical – May 30
The Cure for Love – June 13
The Who’s Tommy – June 25
Sweeny Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – Aug. 16
Comin’ Up A Storm – Aug. 27
Bat Boy: The Tabloid Musical – Sept. 6
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – Sept. 19
The Desperate Hours – Oct. 3
Miracle on 34th Street – Nov. 21
Another Night Before Christmas… – Nov. 26