October 6, 2018

Jennifer Holliday burst onto Broadway as the original Effie in Dreamgirls, winning a Tony Award for her performance and firmly placing her among musical theater’s greatest stars. More than 35 years later, her big, soulful voice continues to entertain audiences worldwide.

---

The Capitol Steps: Orange is the New Barack

October 18, 2018

Just in time to blow off some political steam for the pending mid-term elections, the hilarious comedy troupe, the Capitol Steps, pulls out all the stops with its latest show, Orange is the New Barack. The bi-partisan humor features many cast members who have previously worked on Capitol Hill, bringing a laugh-out-loud perspective to the daily goings on at some of our most esteemed government offices.

---

An Evening with Lynda Carter

October 27, 2018

Most superfans recognize Lynda Carter as the original “Wonder Woman,” from the hit 1970s TV series, but the Miss World USA winner has been singing from the age of five and has performed globally from London’s Palladium to Monte Carlo.

---

Chinese Warriors of Peking

November 9, 2018

Packed with power, agility and martial arts mastery, the Chinese Warriors of Peking deliver a high-intensity evening filled with breathtaking acrobatics, set during the Ming Dynasty.

---

Frankenstein

November 16, 2018

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. Inspiring countless film and stage adaptations, Shelley’s thrilling tale of a monster brought to life is brilliantly re-imagined by Aquila Theater.

---

Smooth Jazz with Joe McBride & Paul Brown

November 17, 2018

Vocalist/keyboardist Joe McBride is an inspiration both on and off the stage. Having lost his eyesight as a teenager, McBride’s passion and dedication for music are evident in a career that spans nearly three decades. Guitarist Paul Brown has released six albums and brings his trademark deep funk and cool urban vibes to an eclectic R&B-driven sound.

---

Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Christmas

November 30, 2018

Brighten your holidays with this magical and captivating tale of family, friendship and hope set to timeless holiday hits! Combining theater and eye-popping technology performed in complete darkness, Lightwire brings stories to life in ways that will mesmerize children of all ages. The troupe has been featured on NBC’s America’s Got Talent and returns to The American Theatre after last year’s enchanting sold-out performance.

---

The Manhattan Transfer Holiday Show

December 1, 2018

The Manhattan Transfer kicks off a harmonic holiday season as the vocal group brings its signature sound to The American Theatre. Expect an evening of spectacular singing that has earned the group an astounding 10 Grammy Awards for its unique arrangements and performance style.

---

Coastal Virginia Bluegrass & Brew Festival

For the second year in a row, The American Theatre welcomes a trio of legendary, genre-defining bluegrass acts and some of Coastal Virginia’s best local breweries. See all three concerts and sample some of the best breweries Hampton Roads has to offer:

Dustbowl Revival

January 25, 2019

Celebrating its 10th anniversary and fourth studio album, Dustbowl combines funk and folk for a unique Americana sound that genre-hops into a time-bending dance party you won’t want to miss.

Steep Canyon Rangers

January 26, 2019

From Carnegie Hall to festivals nationwide, this Grammy Award-winning group redefines bluegrass with their signature sound, including hits from their latest hit album, Out in the Open.

 

Jackass Flats

January 27, 2019

Virginia’s own bluegrass band revs up the crowd with a melting pot of roots music influences ranging from country and pop to rock, soul, and beyond. Buckle in for a funky Southern good time!

---

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

February 9, 2019

Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s rich harmonies have secured their place as South Africa’s most successful and celebrated singing group. Winner of the 2017 Grammy Award for Best World Music Album, their unique sound delivers a message of peace, love and harmony around the world.

---

The Havana Cuba All-Stars

February 10, 2019

The rhythms and sounds of Cuba come alive in an electric evening that celebrates Cuba’s music and dance styles. Representing some of the country’s greatest musicians, The Havana Cuba All-Stars spice up The American Theatre with melodies and beats from the cha-cha and rumba to the salsa and signature “Son Cubano.”

---

An Evening with Branford Marsalis

February 16, 2019

This is a rare opportunity for an up close-and-personal evening with one of the century’s most acclaimed musicians. Branford Marsalis and his jazz quartet bring more than 30 years of experience to the stage and have long been recognized as the standard to which other ensembles of its kind are measured.

---

An Evening with Ann Hampton Callaway & Amanda McBroom

March 9, 2019

Two legendary female vocalists. One spectacular evening. Experience a rare opportunity to see Ann Hampton Callaway and Amanda McBroom together onstage.

---

Dailey & Vincent

March 16, 2019

Dailey’s tenor and Vincent’s reedy harmonies offer a concoction of fantastically instinctive vocal blends that has gained them well-deserved praise for their distinctive style and worldwide recognition as American Music gold.

---

Avery*Sunshine

March 30, 2019

Avery*Sunshine’s latest studio album, Twenty Sixty Four, captures her signature sound with soulful in-the-pocket grooves, sublime ballads, exquisite arrangements and orchestrations, and an exuberant life affirming message. Expect an evening of musical empowerment delivered with Avery*Sunshine’s signature style.

---

The Swingles

April 6, 2019

For more than half a century, The Swingles have pushed the boundaries of vocal music. The seven young singers that comprise today’s London-based group are driven by the same innovative spirit that has defined the five-time Grammy winners since they first made waves in the 1960s.

---

An Acoustic Evening with Shawn Colvin

April 13, 2019

A singular and enduring talent, this intimate concert offers fans old and new the opportunity to experience Colvin’s warmhearted and tender songbook, including hits from her decade-spanning career and latest release, The Starlighter.

---

BROADWAY AT THE AMERICAN

An Evening with Groucho

October 19, 2018

Award-winning actor and director Frank Ferrante recreates his internationally acclaimed portrayal of legendary comedian Groucho Marx in this fast-paced 90 minutes of hilarity. The two-act comedy consists of the best Groucho one-liners, anecdotes and songs including “Hooray for Captain Spalding,” and “Lydia, the Tattooed Lady.”

---

The Winter Wonderettes

January 11-13, 2019

Showcasing festive costumes, stellar voices, and fantastic vocal arrangements, The Winter Wonderettes is a terrific way to continue the yuletide celebration into the New Year! This energetic and glittering holiday package is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.

---

Love Letters

February 23, 2019

From the brilliant mind of award-winning playwright A.R. Gurney, Love Letters is a tribute to what makes a life: Love. Legendary actors Meredith Baxter and Michael Gross, who co-starred in the hit television series Family Ties for seven seasons, take to the stage to portray Melissa and Andy, childhood friends who exchange letters through the years — physically apart, perhaps, but spiritually as close as only true lovers can be.

---

LIGHTHOUSE SERIES

Hampton Roads Philharmonic

Beethoven 7

October 14, 2018

The Hampton Roads Philharmonic kicks off its 6th season with an exciting program featuring Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. Well-loved by audiences since its premiere, this work is a classical masterpiece, known for its enduringly popular second movement.

Winter Classics and Holiday Favorites

December 9, 2018

Come hear the sounds of the season as the orchestra presents a program of holiday favorites including “The Nutcracker,” “Sleigh Ride,” “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and a special guest appearance by the Golden Baton raffle winner. 

Young Artist Competition Showcase

March 10, 2019

Winners from the third annual Young Artist Competition will perform chosen selections of concertos and virtuosic showpieces with the orchestra. Be inspired by the best of the future generation of performers that Hampton Roads has to offer.

---

Riddick Dance Company

The Brown Bag Special

October 20, 2018

Experience two world premiere works by choreographer Marshall Swiney. “A Lil Mo Moses” brings to life the musical genius of James Brown and the dance culture from the 70s through today with disco, rap, hip-hop and jazz. “Miz Virginia is ah Traveling…” explores the cycle of life as Swiney pays tribute to the passing of a dear friend.

Lavender Thorned Heel on the Backside

April 27, 2019

This explosive dance collaboration with spoken word illuminates the writings of activist Audre Lorde and the freedom to love. Exploring themes of rejection, devotion, purity, and empathy, this testament of love promises to be a mastery of movement and storytelling.

 

---

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

October 31, 2018

Grab your fishnets, and pelvic thrust your way to The American Theatre’s annual creature feature presentation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show! Audiences will time warp back to the 1970s and shimmy the night away to the voices of Magenta, Dr. Frank-N-Furter & Riff Raff on the Theatre’s silver screen. Dust off your gold sequin top hat for some harmless musical fun — a delightful spoof of Hollywood horror movies and Old Dark House melodramas! Featuring a live shadow cast performance by Fishnet Inc.!

---

FAMILY FUN SERIES

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

October 13, 2018

Celebrate Halloween and witness superstitious schoolmaster Ichabod Crane’s child-friendly, spooky adventures as he encounters the galloping Headless Horseman in this eyecatching adaptation of Washington Irving’s literary classic. A Virginia Rep on Tour Production.

---

Imagination Movers

November 10, 2018

“Reach high, think big, work hard, have fun!” says Imagination Movers. This high-energy, Emmy Award-winning music group will have the whole family dancing in the aisles with original music and interactive songs that are as much fun for parents as they are for kids.

---

Barefoot Puppets: Trickster Tales

January 19, 2019

Can a spider defeat an elephant in tug-of-war or overpower a python? With Anansi the Spider, world famous trickster, all things are possible… if you only have a plan! Traditional West African stories come to life with expressive rod puppets, original music, and lots of puns. A high-energy show with lots of laughs!

---

The Jungle Book

March 23, 2019

Rudyard Kipling’s beloved jungle story comes to life in a vivid, theatrical staging filled with wonderment and adventure. Follow orphan Mowgli as his adoptive family of wolves, panthers and bears teach him about friendship. Jungle dangers abound as he encounters the hungry python Kaa and Bengal tiger Shere Khan, but with the help of his loving protectors, Mowgli remains safe and happy. A Virginia Rep on Tour Production.

---

CREATING WELLNESS SERIES

The Mystical Arts of Tibet

OPENING CEREMONY
Thur. August 9 • 7pm
CREATION OF SAND MANDALA
Fri. August 10 • 10am–6pm
CREATION OF SAND MANDALA
Sat. August 11 • 10am–6pm
COMPLETION OF MANDALA
AND CLOSING CEREMONY
Sun. August 12 • 1pm

Personal reflection and inspiration come to life as the Tibetan monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery return to create a sand-painted mandala, which is used as a tool for re-consecrating the earth and its inhabitants. As the mandala is created and then deconstructed, the sands are then take to the water and from there it spreads throughout the world for planetary healing.

---

Telling YOUR Story: SOULCollage®

November 3, 2018 and March 9, 2019

Led by Suzan Thompson, this creative process encourages participants to access deep inner wisdom and artistry. In a relaxed and supportive atmosphere you will create colorful collages using images (no words!) from magazines and other media, which represent different aspects of one's self to integrate their gifts and guidance into daily living.

---

ART of Daily Living

November 10, 2018 and April 13, 2019

Workshops are a combination of mindfulness practice, artistic creativity, and energy renewal infused with art and conversation.

---

THE CHARLES TAYLOR VISUAL ARTS CENTER

For more than 60 years the historic building in downtown Hampton served as the city’s library. Built by Mrs. Grace Taylor Armstrong in honor of her father, it was meticulously restored and renovated, opening in 1989 as The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center to showcase the work of artists from throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region. In 2018, the center was renamed as The Charles Taylor Visual Arts Center to more accurately reflect the visual arts component of Hampton Arts.

Virginia Artists 2018 Juried Exhibition

August 18 – October 7, 2018

This annual competition, one of the largest and most comprehensive in the state, will showcase the talents of many
of Virginia’s best artists and craftsmen. It features more than 115 artworks including drawing, printmaking, painting, photography, crafts, watercolor, mixed media, and sculpture.

Jason Stick: Night Shift

Photographer Jason Stick recognizes the allure held by the cover of night. Just as a painter chooses elements to create a landscape or still-life, Stick manipulates darkness and light to cut away visual noise and give shape to his compositions.

---

Virginia Glass Guild Juried Exhibition 2018

October 13 – December 2, 2018

This 31st annual juried exhibition presents the many forms of glass created by members of the Virginia Glass Guild, a membership organization of glass artists working all across the state of Virginia. This exhibition offers a wide range of creative glass processes, including blown, carved, cast, painted, flame-worked, fused, leaded, neon, sandblasted, and stained glass.

Kelsey Finnie: Organizing Chaos

"Glass lives a life in flux between fluidity and form. My work explores these dichotomies and pushes to put glass at the brink of make or break moments.  I make installations that confront this balance between order and chaos and attempt to give structure to this un-structurable material."

---

Miniatures and Small Works by Tidewater Artists

December 8, 2018 – January 20, 2019

Over 250 artists living in Coastal Virginia will be invited to create miniature or small artworks in any media. Media represented will include drawing, painting, watercolor, pastel, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and crafts.

---

Hampton Arts League Open Members Exhibition 2019

January 27 – March 10, 2019

This annual exhibition features artwork by many of the 300+ Hampton Arts League Members in all media, including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, crafts, sculpture, and watercolor. Artworks in a wide range of styles, content, and sensibilities will be included.

---

Artists Who Teach Juried Exhibition 2019

March 16 – April 28, 2019

Artists currently teaching art in the four peninsula colleges and universities, Christopher Newport University, College of William and Mary, Hampton University and Thomas Nelson Community College as well as its public, private, and parochial schools are traditionally featured in this annual competition. From the south side, the art departments from The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University, Regent University, Virginia Wesleyan College, and The Visual Arts Center of TCC have also been invited to participate.

Dianne Hottenstein: What Does It Matter?

Best in Show Winner in AWT 2018, Hottenstein is featured in this one person show. Hottenstein’s ceramic works representing her response to life situations, tragedy, culture, technology or beliefs, are knowingly created to provoke a human response.

---

That's Funny: Art with a Sense of Humor

May 4 – June 16, 2019

This group exhibition will present about 120 artworks in all media by the Gallery Manager’s invited artists whose works display a sense of humor. The Curator may also consider artworks from other interested artists. Works will include a wide range of media in both two, three or four dimensions including traditional art forms as well as cartoons, comic strips or books and videos.

---

The Meaning of Life

June 22 – August 11, 2019

Since the dawn of time, the most profound question has been about the meaning or purpose of life. This invitational group exhibition provides some personal answers to this universal philosophical question though the eyes and minds of about 150 artists working in a wide range of two and three dimensional media, styles and especially ideas and emotions.

---

Sponsor Acknowledgement

Hampton Arts is proud to thank the following businesses, foundations, and sponsors who have helped support our programs on stage, in the classroom, in our galleries, and in our community.

Platinum Season Sponsor: Hampton Convention and Visitors Bureau
Gold Season Sponsors: Holiday Inn Express at Coliseum Central, The Point at Phoebus
Premier Performance Series Sponsor: Coliseum Central
Broadway at the American Sponsors: Cinemark City Center 12
Performance Sponsors: Jeff’s Flowers of Course
Television Media Sponsor: 13News Now
Magazine Media Sponsor: Coastal Virginia Magazine

Hampton Arts is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and Art Works for The National Endowment for the Arts.

Season Subscription

Our Flex Pass Subscription will give our patrons the ultimate in flexibility and discounts! The American Theatre’s easy-to-use Flex Pass Subscription is a great way to see the performances you want to see, when you want to see them — and save money! Flex Pass Subscriptions may be purchased for any Premier Performance or Broadway at The American performance.

Purchase a minimum of 8 tickets and use them for the best available seats at any performance in any combination you'd like. Split your tickets up and see multiple shows, or use all your tickets for a single show — it’s up to you!

Shows must be chosen at the time of purchase.

PLEASE NOTE: Discounts cannot be applied to Family Fun Series or Lighthouse Series. FLEX PASSES go on sale June 13–October 1, 2018. Single event tickets go on sale to the general public on August 6, 2018.

Single Ticket Sales

Individual performance tickets are available on August 6, 2018 and may be purchased in person at The American Theatre Box Office or Hampton Coliseum Box Office. Tickets may be ordered online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.