Written by Charissa Roberson
As fall proceeds into winter, Roanoke’s local theater scene is offering several opportunities to enjoy new and exciting shows in the area. Mill Mountain Theatre, one of the region’s most well-known theatre companies, is putting on two major shows this season. “Every Brilliant Thing” is a one-man show about a son coping with his mother’s mental illness and will be playing on the Waldron Stage until Nov. 10. This touching, intimate play looks at serious topics of suicide and depression through the lens of humor and finding “every brilliant thing” that makes life worth living.
Afterwards, the Trinkle Main Stage will be bringing one of the most beloved musicals of all time to life once more —“The Sound of Music.” According to Mill Mountain Theatre, the cast will feature both local members and talent from across the nation. This classic masterpiece, featuring immemorial songs such as “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” and the titular “Sound of Music,” opens on Dec. 4 and will run until Dec. 22.
In addition to Mill Mountain’s productions, another talented local company is in the middle of their 2019 season. This winter, the Showtimers will be producing Mark Twain’s “Is He Dead?” This is a comedic and convoluted tale in which a young artist, finding himself in a predicament, fakes his own death to fix his problems. His only challenge then is finding a way to come back from the dead and marry his sweetheart—plus claim his newfound, posthumous fame as a painter. This typically Twain-ish comedy opens at the Showtimers’ theatre on Dec. 5, running until Dec. 15.
Also, while the broader Roanoke community provides excellent opportunities for theatregoers, don’t forget Roanoke College’s very own fall production in Olin Hall, put on by the talented members of Theatre RC. William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” opens on Nov. 15 for two weekends. All members of the Roanoke College community have free admittance to Theatre RC’s shows, so don’t miss this adventure of fairies, spells, and trickery, as four mismatched lovers wander into the wild and whimsical snare of midsummer magic.
