Attention all Star Wars fans! The State Theatre will be hosting an event geared toward collectors and fans alike, Feel The Force! We will have two screenings of the film “Plastic Galaxy: The Story of Star Wars Toys” at 10 AM and 1 PM, tickets are $10.00 each. Also, owner of the world’s largest Darth Vader collection Bill McBride will be displaying a portion of his collection in the Grills Black Box at the Theatre, and collectors are also welcome to bring items for appraisal!

Before you head to the polls to elect our 45th president, join us for the rocking and roasting local institution, The Capitol Steps. For more than 30 years, The Capitol Steps has traveled the nation satirizing the most serious of subjects: politics. Founded by Hill staffers in 1981, their blend of humor and musical comedy leaves both sides of the aisle rolling in laughter. Absolutely no one is safe from their lampooning -from Barack Obama belting out a show tune, to Nancy Pelosi rocking out, to a graceful Chris Christie pirouetting through a classical ballet. The Capitol Steps presents renditions from their current review, including Present George W. Bush’s ballad “Jeb is Ready, He’s my Bother,” “If There Were No Rich Men” from Senator Bernie Sanders, and Senator Hillary Clinton’s “Deleter of the Facts.” No matter who or what is in the headlines, you can bet The Capitol Steps will prove that if you are not part of the solution, you’re probably running for President. “Its political satire brings chuckles…rave reviews…guffaws…and bipartisan grins all around.” (The Wall Street Journal)

The pulse of the Caribbean fills the air as Cuba’s most prominent musicians share their rich musical heritage, from the Rumba to the Cha-Cha-Cha to the Habanera. Journey to the land of white-sand beaches, swirling cigar smoke, and swinging music with the acclaimed Havana Cuba All-Stars. This exciting band brings the Cuban vibe to life with rhythmic drums and castanets, wailing trumpets, masterful acoustic guitar, and amazing vocals. Devoted to presenting the wide tapestry that exists in Cuban music — from Latin dance to soulful ballads — this concert presents the great musical traditions of the Cuban people. “The Asere Friendship Tour” is The Havana Cuba All-Stars’ debut U.S. tour and celebrates the new open friendship between the United States and Cuba. Bringing the musical traditions of their forefathers to the U.S. for the first time, the group’s Spanish vocals and traditional songs are sure to leave audiences dancing in the aisles.

The Middleburg Film Festival offers four days of fantastic films in a spectacular setting.  A carefully curated selection of narrative and documentary films screen in intimate theatre environments, followed by fascinating Q and A’s with world-renowned filmmakers, actors, and other special guests. The films include festival favorites, world premieres, first-class foreign films, and Academy Award contenders.

Other special festival events include a Symphony Orchestra Concert Honoring a Renowned Film Composer, Master Classes, Panel Discussions, One-on-One Conversations with filmmakers and industry representatives, wine tastings, farm-to-table dinners, and of course lots of great Parties!

Festival attendees can also experience the natural beauty, food, wine, and warm hospitality of Middleburg during morning hikes and horseback rides through the glorious Piedmont countryside… at late afternoon wine-tastings at local vineyards… strolling through the historic town… and engaging in casual conversations with filmmakers while enjoying the best of Virginia cuisine at local restaurants.

An incessantly ringing cell phone in a quiet café. A stranger at the next table who has had enough. And a dead man—with a lot of loose ends. So begins Dead Man’s Cell Phone, a wildly imaginative new comedy by MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient and Pulitzer Prize finalist, Sarah Ruhl, author of The Clean House and Eurydice. A work about how we memorialize the dead—and how that remembering changes us—it is the odyssey of a woman forced to confront her own assumptions about morality, redemption, and the need to connect in a technologically obsessed world. Performances will run October 28-30 and November 4 & 5 at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library Headquarters, downtown Fredericksburg.

Who can get ahead? Those with money do in Brecht and Weill’s The ThreePenny Opera, a timely social satire produced by the George Mason University’s Schools of Theater and Music.
November 3, 4, 5 at 8 p.m.
November 5 at 2 p.m.
A Talk Back/Q&A with the cast will take place after the performance on November 4.
$30 adults, $15 students, seniors and youth up to grade 12
1 Free Student Ticket Available with Mason ID on October 18, 2016

The Sixth Annual United Nations of Comedy Tour Returns to the Paramount Theater
Five National Comedians Share the Stage for One Night Only – November 12th

The United Nations of Comedy Tour returns to The Paramount Theater on Saturday, November 12, 2016. This tour features national comedians as seen on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Showtime, HBO, Ellen, Comedy Central, Comic View, TV shows, commercials, movies and other national programs. The United Nations of Comedy has become one of the area’s most highly anticipated comedy shows to visit the Paramount. From audience members bumping their head on the seat in front of them to tears streaming down their face, these things happen from uncontrollable laughter. This is certainly a DO NOT MISS event.

The Tour was founded with the premise of promoting diversity through laughter. The tour’s creator places focus on choosing the perfect blend of national comics by selecting an eclectic mix of comic styles. This year’s line up includes an hysterical array of national comedians: Emma Willmann, Funnyman Skiba, Antoine Scott, Alex Carabaño and Jason Andors. It does not get much funnier than that. Buckle your seatbelt and prepare for the ride of a lifetime but you may want to use the restroom first.

Back by popular demand, this will be Funnyman Skiba’s 11th visit to Charlottesville and his sixth visit to the Paramount Theater. He has been named the funniest comic alive and is extremely difficult for comedians to follow. Emma has made the list of being one of the Top 10 comics in New York. She has her own show on Sirius Radio and has appeared on a variety of national television programs. Being the only lesbian comic on the line up, she fits in perfectly to shake it up. She’s been featured on AfterEllen, Comedy Central and others. Jason Andors is legendary for his real life comedy making fun of himself as a young jewish guy who used to break dance and later, appeared on Showtime at the Apollo, BET Comic View four times, showing how real comedic talent can make anyone laugh. He also appeared on HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central and many other outlets. Representing the latino community, Alex Cabaño has been labeled as one of NY funniest comedians and appeared on CBS, Telemundo, BRIC Tv, etc. Antoine Scott has the ability to win over any crowd. He has appeared on TVOne and Showtime at the Apollo.

Doors to the Theater open at 6:45pm for VIP ticket holders and 7pm for general.  General Admission tickets are $38.25; VIP tickets are $48.25, which include a Meet and Greet Reception with catered food, drinks & a live performance by the Robert Jospé Express, premium seating in the center orchestra section. Tickets may be purchased at The Paramount Theater, located on the Downtown Mall at 215 East Main Street, Charlottesville, VA, online at www.UnitedNationsofComedy.com, www.TheParamount.net or may be purchased by phone at 434.979.1333.  For event sponsorship opportunities call 434.825.0650.

The Paramount Theater was chosen as the host venue for its elegant appeal, historical wealth and its extremely convenient location on the the downtown pedestrian mall. This event is sponsored by Cville Weekly, Melody Robbins Photography, The Hyatt Place, Yellow Cab, WTJU and the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Share the thrills with the whole family as trampoline artists and aerial acrobats fly through the air with the greatest of ease, while jugglers, contortionists, and martial artists demonstrate the exacting precision of their skills. Through jaw-dropping feats of acrobatics, impeccably timed stunts, and beautiful costumes, Shanghai Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China merges the hustle and bustle of contemporary Shanghai with China’s rich cultural heritage to produce this celebration of their country. They cleverly use acrobatics and circus acts to convey stories of the people and the land of China. This acclaimed company, with more than one hundred performers, has won many top awards in international competitions for their outstanding acts, several of which are included in this production. Experience the amazing beauty and thrilling feats of skill direct from Shanghai!

November 26-December 11. A Christmas Carol adapted by John Mortimer and directed by Ted Ballard
Performances at the Kellar Theater at the Center for the Arts, 9419 Battle St., Manassas: Thanksgiving weekend, Saturday, November 26 at 2pm & 7pm and Sunday, November 27 at 2pm and then December 2-11 on Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 7pm, and Sundays at 2pm.
A Christmas Carol is the tale of a miserly Ebenezer Scrooge who rejects the Christmas spirit with his declaration of “Bah, Humbug!” Ghostly visits show him the past, the present and the future yet to come and give him a chance to change his heart and his view of mankind. Tickets $20 general admission/$18 for students & seniors 65+. www.center-for-the arts.org or 703-330-2787.

The first opera composed for television in America, this one-act family production by Gian Carlo Menotti has been a holiday favorite since its NBC premiere on Christmas Eve, 1951. Join the cast of Loudoun Lyric Opera as we recreate the story of a young boy who meets the three wise men on their way to Bethlehem and encounters a miracle. Two shows Saturday 12/3 at 3:00 and 8:00. Also Sunday 12/4 at 3:00. Visit our website for more information or to order tickets.

This is the first film to be made about the incomparable Maya Angelou. The film presents her incredible journey, shedding light on the untold aspects of her life with remarkable unmatched access. This intimate and personal portrait of Dr. Maya Angelou’s life is a touching and moving tribute to her legacy.

Distinctly referred to as “a redwood tree, with deep roots in American culture,” Maya Angelou gave people the freedom to think about their history in a way they never had before. Dr. Angelou’s was a prolific life; as a singer, dancer, activist, poet, and writer she inspired generations with lyrical modern African-American thought that pushed boundaries.

The film premiered to critical acclaim at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. It won the Audience Award at AFI Docs and was featured at notable fests worldwide including Full Frame, Sheffield Docs, Boulder Film Fest, and Riverrun, winning 9 awards on 3 continents.

Catch the screening of the locally filmed and produced documentary – Saving Place, Saving Grace – before it airs on PBS’s WVPT! Learn about the Holy Cross Abbey’s struggle to sustain their community and 1,200 acre farm.

Narrator Martha Teichner (from CBS Sunday Morning), the monks, and others tell the story of the delicate balance of how theology meets ecology, leaving viewers thinking about their call to action with hope for the future.

Following the film, there will be a reception with the filmmakers George Patterson and Deidra Dain.

Set in 1940’s Egypt, this deliciously dangerous murder mystery is one of Dame Agatha Christie’s most popular tales. For Britain’s foremost mystery author, whenever class, wealth, and reputation are on the line, a murder or two is not far behind. So as the famous heiress Kay Ridgeway boards a honeymoon cruise with her penniless new husband, it’s already clear that foul play is afoot. The passenger list on this treacherous journey includes a spurned lover, a protective uncle, a troubled doctor, and a slew of other colorful characters as well as the world-famous investigator Hercule Poirot, who must call on all of his skills to solve this baffling mystery. Aquila Theatre, known for its breathtaking interpretations of theatrical classics, brings its signature style of thrilling physicality and stunning designs to this gripping play. Book a one-way ticket on this Nile cruise and see if you can figure out “whodunit!”

From the joy of young love to the sorrow of a lover scorned, this romantic ballet is a poignant tale of love and loss. When a peasant girl named Giselle learns of a cruel trick from her beloved, she dies of a broken heart and is doomed to an existence of vengeance. Russian National Ballet Theatre brings this ballet to our stage with stunning costumes, elaborate sets, and all the grandeur of the Russian ballet tradition. Fifty graceful dancers from this world-renowned ensemble perform a ballet of heartbreak and passion conveyed through the unrivaled choreography of Marius Petipa. Experience the ethereal beauty from one of Russia’s most respected ballet companies performing this haunting ballet.