This summer you can see great Broadway shows in New York, Washington…..and South Boston, Va.
Sound of Music coming next
South Boston? Yes, the Prizery is hosting four musicals, drawing mainly on recently graduated college music students, who do a splendid job. The musicals are: Side by Side by Sondheim (playing now through July 2), The Sound of Music, which opens July 7, Seussical!, which opens July 28, and The 39 Steps, which opens Aug. 10. Most shows are Wednesday through Saturday.
I am jumping into this season whole hog. I am an usher at each one of the musicals. I even tried out for a part, but I didn’t get one–I would not be good as a nun or as one of the Von Trapp children.
In Side by Side by Sondheim, four of the performers dish out a continuous stream of Stephen Sondheim songs from such musicals as West Side Story (yes, he wrote the lyrics), Company, A Little Night Music, Follies and many others. I found Em Lauderman’s rendition of “I’m Still Here” particularly compelling, especially since she is only in her 20s, and really enjoyed Chris Lewis’ “Anyone Can Whistle.” But Elizabeth Telford probably has the most powerful voice of the four, excelling in the high range.
You’ll enjoy visiting the Prizery itself, a converted tobacco warehouse, that has some great exhibits as well as a wonderful theater. There’s good dining nearby at the Bistro 1888 restaurant. And, of course, you’ll want to stay at Oak Grove Plantation Bed & Breakfast.
