Long Overdue: American Shakespeare Center for the Evening

In 2011, K bought J a gift card to the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, VA.  It was part of our tradition of giving experience gifts whenever we can--we like adventures more than having things, mostly.  Blame it on busy lives, but we didn't get around to using the gift card until 2016. 2016.  It was just 5 years later.

This fall, we were inspired to take in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, an historical rock musical (think in the vein of Hamilton).  The performance does contain adult content, but the staff warn you fairly.  Would we take our young kids?  No. Would we recommend it to all our friends without exception? No. Were we glad we had the experience? Yes. Did we think it was exceedingly well performed?  Yes.  So, fellow history nerds, ponderers, and people who generally like holding disparate ideas in tension and thinking about connections between the past and present, we promise you can handle it if you so choose.

The play was a great introduction to the intelligent design of American Shakespeare Center seasons--the company is currently featuring three plays, two Shakespearean, designed to get the audience thinking about power.  It's stunningly perfect for an election year.  The physical design of the theatre is quite intelligent as well.  It's the only replica theatre of Shakespeare's indoor theatre, and performances are given in conditions similar to those in Shakespeare's day.  Expect the lights to be on--and the troupe of actors to be interactive, especially if you sit on (yes, on) or close to the stage.  We selected second-level seats because we usually like balconies, and we found our choice, guided well by the box office staff when we called, to be pretty perfect.  It's a good thing as we've already booked close by seats for A Christmas Carol in December.

Really, even if you don't like Shakespeare, don't like theatre, or think one of those two things is true of you, it's pretty impressive that the American Shakespeare Center is in Staunton, VA, and that is excuse enough to try it out and see if your mind changes.  That's right, everyone: The only recreation of Shakespeare's indoor theatre is in Staunton, not Europe and not at the Folger Library.  You can also get ticket deals if you look--there AAA discounts, student rates, and fun specials in their Twitter feed (@shakespearectr).  This is theatre that feels like a shared experience and it. is. worth. it.  Plus, there's a gift shop!

If you go, we recommend arriving when doors open for the pre-show, a time of music and other vignettes from the actors.  Arriving early will also get you good--and sometimes free--nearby parking.  Enjoy walking downtown Staunton while you are there.  Our sense was that it was a very safe area for walking around, and we found a few restaurants open after the show and ate a lovely dinner at Joe's Steakhouse.  There were small shops aplenty, although many had closed for the day. These attractive little places included used bookstores (more than one) and specialty grocers (more than one)--very fun.  If staying the night, the classic Stonewall Jackson Hotel is nearby, and we spotted several B&Bs and boutique hotels, too.  They even have an app for your walk!

Alleghany County Gets a Ghost Tour: Haunted Clifton Forge, VA

K grew up doing a little acting in what was then the Stonewall Theatre--and hearing tons of ghost stories from the cast and crew.  Folks talked about entering the theatre for the evening and seemingly interrupting a crowd, hearing the sounds and smelling the perfume of theatre-goers. There were reports of people watching shows in the balcony--people who weren't people.  And one can't forget the reports of a death in the theatre's apartment.  K has told J the stories and has wondered if anyone else remembered them, true or not.  So, when on a recent trip to Clifton Forge, this sign meant we were headed out for a Halterman Evening ghost tour.

Haunted Heritage Tours is a new venture from a new resident of the Alleghany Highlands named Audrey.  She's grown to appreciate the area and has a desire to both tell its history and attract folks to pay attention to the stories and places nestled in the beautiful hills.  Her 90-minute walking tour is well-priced, not gimmicky, and worth your time.  A gracious storyteller, she is receptive to input from locals and incorporates information about her primary-source local history research.  Expect an outdoor tour from Town Hall to C & O/Jack Mason's and back again with outdoor stops for stories and sightseeing.  We were particularly pleased to hear stories of Mary, the former proprietor of what was the Stonewall Theatre and what is now the Historic Masonic Theatre, and of the apartment above what was Zimmerman's menswear store.  This tour is strong on history and safe for kids who enjoy stories of ghosts and odd happenings.

The tour goes on, for now, weekends through October, although you should watch the website for future offerings at other times of the year and for different events.  In our humble opinion, the Highlands have not yet reached peak colors, so this is a great excuse to get Roanokers to drive over this month and take it in, routing through Craig Creek-Richpatch-Roaring Run encouraged to see the great fall colors in Botetourt.  While you are there, visit a great outdoor site like Humpback Bridge, take in a good meal, and, of course, enjoy the ghost tour.  Couples on an adventure, consider Cat and Owl for steak and seafood or Cafe Michel for French food--both can be destination restaurants. Families, try Vic's Family Restaurant.