Maupin Masterminds Mischief in Modern Merrymaker

Posted by Bruce Miller (liberally quoting B C Maupin)
With Becky's New Car, we're glad to welcome Billy Christopher Maupin back into the driver's seat at Hanover Tavern. B C has to be among the most turbocharged theatre artists working in Virginia today. As his German friends opine, he is mit turboaufladung. (Sorry. Sometimes these amazing things pop up in a word search and I can't help myself.)

Billy Christopher starred at the Tavern as the Reverend Mervin Oglethorpe in all three musicals in the Smoke on the Mountain trilogy. Back in 2010, he directed our heartwarming Hanover hit, Butterflies are Free.

More recently, B C earned great acclaim for his staging of Dog Sees God and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown at the Firehouse.

Billy Christopher was honored last spring by STYLE Weekly as one of Richmond's "Top 40 Under 40." In the recent build-up to the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle Awards, he is a Best Actor nom for his work in Something Intangible, also at the Firehouse. When not involved in evening rehearsals, he spends his daytime hours as Marketing Manager here at Barksdale/Theatre IV.

Billy Christopher was the one who introduced me to Becky's New Car. His director's notes indicate that when he encountered this new comedy, the attraction was immediate.

"My first professional job in the theatre was in 2000 in a production of Bram Stoker's Dracula adapted by Steve Dietz. Thus began my love affair with Dietz' work. A master of dramatic tension, zany plots, tender moments, and incredibly natural dialogue, Dietz is a rare treasure of the American theatre.

When his newest play, Becky's New Car, was published last year, it jumped to the top of my list of plays to read. And when I did, I fell in love before it was even over. I remember finishing the first act and immediately calling Melissa (Johnston Price) and saying, 'I think you might need to look at this play that I just started reading.' As soon as I finished it, I called her back: 'Melissa, you need to read this play.'

I feel so fortunate to be able to be a part of creating theatre in a community that is so rich in artists. It is such a thrill to be able to explore this wonderfully funny and beautiful play with such an incredibly talented cast, crew and design team.

I hope you enjoy the ride.

Billy Christopher Maupin"

If you're a fan of Billy Christopher's work, I hope you'll join him and his stellar cast as they put the pedal to the metal beginning September 23. You'll be glad you did.

--Bruce Miller

"Perfect!"

Posted by Billy Christopher Maupin
That's just one of the many kudos for Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern's Butterflies Are Free by Leonard Gershe. And it runs for only two more weeks! Here is a sample of quotes from the five stellar reviews:

STYLE Weekly's Mary Burruss writes:
"clever script, stellar performances"

"audience laughter is constant"

"Bloch and Martin have a sparkling chemistry that’s fun to watch. Martin brings charm and believability to the ditzy yet sweet Jill."

"Mrs. Baker’s strong, if misdirected, maternal devotion is deftly captured by Johnson, whose Eartha Kitt-like voice lends appropriate strength to the role."

HERALD-PROGRESS' Dan Sherrier writes
"the perfect blend of comedy and drama"

"absolutely hilarious"

"talented cast and great direction"

"[Martin] brings the show to life"

"[Conyers] arrives late in the game but still manages to contribute some good laughs."

"Script? Excellent. Actors? Excellent. Direction? Excellent. Set, lighting and costumes? All excellent."

"The reliably solid Barksdale is at its best in Butterflies are Free."

Julinda Lewis, freelance correspondant for the Richmond Times-Dispatch:
"wonderfully detailed set"

"[Bloch] proves irresistible"

"Johnson is strong, subtle, commanding and hilarious, all at once."

"Butterflies are Free is smart, funny and immensely enjoyable."

WCVE's John Porter says:
"Butterflies Are Free is a good, solid, funny show."

Kristin Jimison from RVANews:
"the strength of the small cast shines under the taut direction of Billy Christopher Maupin"

"Butterflies is a delightful, refreshing comedy with just enough drama to tug at your heartstrings. Smartly executed and full of absolutely charming performances, it’s a perfect way to spend a spring evening."

Don't miss out on your chance to catch this smart, fresh, warm comedy!

[Photos by Jay Paul]

New Podcast Episode - Butterflies are Free

David Janeski interviews actor Matthew Bloch from Butterflies are Free, on stage now at Hanover Tavern. Matthew wasn't aware of the questions before hand, and David threw some pretty crazy ones at him. The results are hilarious...