WCVE Public Radio

John Porter – Barksdale Willow Lawn and Theatre VCU have combined forces to present Frank Galati’s award-winning production of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.” Utilizing a mixture of professional and student talents, the story of the Joads as they journey from the dust-bowl to California in search of a new beginning is brought to life in intimate detail. This classic American story is one that has resonated with us for generations and reminds us all that our history is more than dates and names; it is the people and their triumphs and tribulations as they strive to make the world a better place.

“The Grapes of Wrath” is scheduled to run through March 21 at Barksdale Willow Lawn. For tickets, reservations, or further information, visit Barksdale Willow Lawn or call (804) 282.2620.

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Joan Tupponce – For its newest production, Barksdale Theatre has partnered with Theatre VCU to produce “The Grapes of Wrath.” The adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning novel follows the Joad family’s forced relocation from Oklahoma’s Dust Bowl to the green, more fertile lands of California during one of the darkest, most disheartening times in America’s history. The play speaks not only to the plight of the Joad family but also to mankind’s struggle to deal with social and political injustices. It resonates more today than it would have five years ago when our economy was strong and steady.

Director Tawnya Pettiford-Wates quickly and effectively creates the play’s overall feeling of hopelessness. The slow strides of the background players and the not-so-subtle hints of desperation bring a sobering realism to the action on stage. Actors from the two theaters mesh together well, giving the play a unified feeling.

Charley Raintree gives a compelling performance as the country preacher who is searching for the faith he feels he has lost. He aptly portrays the preacher’s almost paralyzing state of self-doubt as well as his innate need to protect others.

Joseph Carlson gives a steely, energetic portrayal of the hot headed Tom Joad who is trying to hold his family together. Other solid performances include Michael Hawke as Pa Joad and Jai Goodman as Rose of Sharon who provides one of the most haunting images of the night.

The stand out in this production is Marta Rainer who turns in a solid, honest portrayal of a mother who is desperately trying to keep her faith and her strength in tact. Rainer’s acting is so genuine that she dissolves the line between actor and character.

Dennis Williams’ sparse-but-effective set works nicely with the creative lighting designs of Lynne Hartman.

If you are looking for a lighthearted evening of entertainment, “The Grapes of Wrath” is not for you. If you’re looking for a short play, this almost three hour production isn’t for you. The play is well acted and will leave you with a glimmer of hope that heartfelt generosity can always be found even in the toughest of times.

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He’s handsome. He’s charming. He sweeps women off their feet … and then quickly abandons them. In Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” Mozart himself adds to the charm with his beautiful melodies, musical clues and a true understanding of his characters.

Give a listen to the latest Opera Talk with Glenn Winters of Virginia Opera and Bobbie Barajas. Prepare to be seduced!

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The Richmond Symphony announced the appointment of Steven Smith as its new Music Director. Smith succeeds Mark Russell Smith and is the fifth conductor to lead the orchestra since its founding in 1957.

The search for a new music director began over eighteen months ago starting with an initial pool of over 240 applicants. Smith was one of nine conductor candidates brought to Richmond to lead the orchestra in performances beginning in the 2008-2009 concert season.

Steven Smith comes to the Richmond Symphony after serving as music director for the Santa Fe Symphony and Chorus since 1999. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the Curtis Institute of Music. Smith has guest conducted all around the country and the world with such orchestras as the San Francisco Symphony, the Milwaukee Symphony, the Hong Kong Philharmonic and and Lyric Opera Cleveland. Mr. Smith is also an active ASCAP-award winning composer.

Steven and his wife Stacia Lewandowski, also a musician, will move to the Richmond region in the coming months.

Please join me in welcoming Steven Smith to Richmond, Richmond CenterStage, the Richmond Symphony and of course the studios of WCVE Public Radio.

This week  on Time for the Blues (3/7/10), John Porter and Henry Cook are joined by Ian Stewart, host of the World Music Show to look at blues influences on the world music scene. Ian brings great sounds from the “African John Lee Hooker,” Ali Farka Touré as well as a sampling of South African Zulu performers, all with the strong rhythms and guitar work associated with great blues. We’ll also hear some Latin-influenced blues along with blues bands from Iceland, Australia and Canada.

Ian’s World Music Show is on hiatus during the Metropolitan Opera Season, but will return this May on Saturday afternoons – keep an eye on the World Music Show page for details later this spring.

Tell us about your favorite World Music and other blues-influenced artists. Also, let us know if you have any suggestions for topics for future programs.

Time for the Blues airs Sundays @ 1 AM.

Commentator Brooks Smith is rediscovering Richmond’s sports history. In this segment, he recalls the life and career of tennis great Arthur Ashe.

Arthur Ashe was a tennis legend whose legacy extends far beyond the tennis court.  And in the years since his untimely passing in 1993, we have only just begun to realize the full measure of our loss.

Ashe departed this world with two dreams left unrealized. The first was to build a National African American Hall of Fame here in Richmond.  And the second persists in the words of his memoir: “My potential is more than can be expressed within the bounds of my race or ethnic identity. My humanity … gives the greatest flight to the full range of my possibilities. If I had one last wish, I would ask that all Americans could see themselves that way, past the barbed wire fences of race and color.”

Arthur Ashe was a superstar. He was a man of immense character, a humanitarian and historian. And he was home-grown. May the Richmond that survives him live up to his legacy and one day, perhaps, realize the two dreams that Ashe left behind.

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From NPR’s Morning Edition – Imagine surfing an Internet that’s blazingly fast: Music and movies stream in with no interruptions; software programs download in seconds. This may not happen anytime soon — but the government does have a plan for better broadband access.

As technology expert Mario Armstrong tells NPR’s Steve Inskeep, public schools could see a big boost from the plan.

“To be able to connect kids from their home back to the schools — that simple thing doesn’t happen today,” Armstrong said, “and it could happen if we had a national broadband policy.”

The national broadband plan will be delivered to Congress on March 17. It will certainly call for bringing high-speed Internet connections to more Americans. The program would mean better connectivity for public buildings, from schools to hospitals. The government initiative is particularly meant to help students and job seekers, as well as medical staff and first-responders on emergency teams.

What would improved broadband access mean to you?

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Commentator Thea Marshall has explored the oldest church on the Northern Neck. In this Neck Tale, Thea talks about one of the Neck’s newest, the lighthouse-inspired home of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Rappahannock. It’s the only home for UU’s in all of the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.

The roots of Unitarian Universalist can be traced back to Transylvania of the 1600’s. Members include some of our country’s early founders, such as John and Abigail Adams, Ben Franklin, Paul Revere. Thomas Jefferson declared that if there had been a Unitarian Church near Monticello, he would have attended it.

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John Porter – Barksdale Hanover Tavern offers up a trip to the small town of Ivy Gap, Tennessee in this story by playwright Ron Osborne. Set not just at one crossroads in America’s history, but two, this small town church’s soul belongs to six very different women who offer us a look at the changes that are going on around us. With a cast that includes several Richmond favorites and some newcomers as well, “First Baptist of Ivy Gap” examines the waning days of World War II as well as the height of the Vietnam War. With humor and faith, these women serve their community and each other during turbulent times.

“First Baptist of Ivy Gap” is scheduled to run until March 14. For tickets, reservations, or further information, visit Barksdale Hanover Tavern or call (804) 282.2620.

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Joan Tupponce – The women of Ivy Gap who’ve gathered in the church meeting room at First Baptist have as much to learn about themselves as they do each other. Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern’s current production of “First Baptist of Ivy Gap” introduces us to Luby, Olene, Mae Ellen, Edith, Sammy and Vera, who have come together to help the war effort and discuss plans for the church’s 75th anniversary.

As World War II comes to an end, the women of Ivy Gap talk about their fears as well as their dreams for the future while rolling bandages for the Red Cross. During their conversations, they spar, laugh, joke and reminisce. The lighthearted mood is interrupted when Sammy, a young girl from a neighboring county, shows up to help causing Luby, whose son is fighting in the war, to become distraught. There is also tension mounting between church organist Mae Ellen and Vera, a wealthy and high-ranking member of the congregation.The play’s second act takes place 25 years later when the church is gearing up for its 100th anniversary and the Vietnam War is at its height. When the women finally get together once again, we learn of the choices they’ve made and the secrets they have been guarding.

When it comes to the ensemble cast, Director Bruce Miller couldn’t have made better choices. The ensemble is strong and talented. The interaction between characters feels genuine and spontaneous.

Each woman on stage brings her special talents to the production. Maggie Roop and Sarah Pruden who play Mae Ellen and Olene bring energy and humor to their roles. Their scenes together are some of the funniest in the show, especially when Olene reveals the path she’s taken since leaving Ivy Gap. As Edith, the pastor’s wife, Jan Guarino is in her element. Her Pixie-like performance is fun to watch. Harriett Traylor provides a solid performance as Vera as does Ali Thibodeau in her role as Sammy. As Luby, a mother who can’t let go of her son, Joy Williams shines. Her emotional performance is first-rate.

“First Baptist of Ivy Gap” will warm your heart on a cold late winter night.

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We thought we could wait until St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th) to tell you but we’re so excited about our “WCVE Danny Boy Project” contest winners we had to tell you now. Congratulations to our music winners, The Dulcimores with the Jahnke Road Old Time Band and to our art winner Ann Clarke!!! The winning recording will be featured on our upcoming CD and Ann Clarke’s design will grace the cover.

THANK YOU to all of our contest entrants, to those who listened to and viewed all of the entries and to those who voted on the entries. A community project only works when the community participates and you truly did.

Take a look at our CD cover and give a listen to a few seconds of the winning music entry.

In the days to come, you’ll be hearing more about the CD, the other artists you’ll find on that CD, and a special St. Patrick’s Day broadcast. Stay tuned, congratulations and thanks again!

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Our fair city boasts not one but two arena football teams, both of which will debut this year. The Richmond Raiders, of the AIFA League, will play in the Coliseum against competitors from places like Reading, Fayetteville and Baltimore.  And the Richmond Revolution, of the IFL League, will play in the Arthur Ashe Center against competitors from places like Chicago, Rochester and Green Bay. Both teams have regular seasons that kick off in March. And both appear to have the energy and talent to go the distance.

Pro football in Richmond actually dates back to the 1930’s, when the Richmond Rebels were part of the fabled Dixie Pro Football League, sometimes called the third of the three majors. Dixie Pro was formed in 1936, suspended during World War II, and then revived in 1946. Back then, the Rebels was affiliated with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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