In the late evening of May 2, 2025, Virginia
Stage Company received word that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) was withdrawing a $15,000 grant that had been awarded to us to support performances of the mental health-focused play, Every Brilliant Thing, for high school audiences. The NEA’s email explained that our program does not align with new funding priorities, intended to “reflect the nation's rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President.”
🎄 Christmas in July Mistletoe Market
Presented by Virginia Stage Company
July 20, 2025 at the historic Wells Theatre
11am-5pm
Step into a world of mid-summer magic at our Christmas in July Mistletoe Market—a festive, family-friendly celebration of local creativity and community spirit!
Join us inside the beautifully historic Wells Theatre, downtown Norfolk’s hidden gem, where holiday cheer comes early. This unique market showcases an incredible lineup of local artists, artisans, and crafters offering handmade treasures perfect for gifting—or keeping for yourself.
✨ What to Expect:
🛍️ Handmade goods from talented local vendors
🍹 Concessions bar with seasonal treats
🎭 Guided tours of the historic Wells Theatre
🎨 Fun and festive kids’ activities
Whether you’re shopping early for the holidays or just looking for a joyful afternoon out, the Mistletoe Market is your one-stop destination for creativity, charm, and a little bit of Christmas magic in July.
Interested in Becoming a Vendor?
Every Brilliant Thing is an immersive storytelling experience that blends comedy, improv, and audience interaction. It tells the story of someone growing up in the shadow of their mother's struggle with suicidal depression while learning to grapple with their own journey.
Every Brilliant Thing provides a life-affirming jolt of humanism, reminding us that hope comes from the miracles of life’s minutiae. Seating is performed on the NSU Theatre stage for an up-close and intimate evening.
This performance is free, though we do recommend you RSVP to ensure your seat.
Blending the best of the Rat Pack, Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme and more, Scott Wichmann is Mister Showtime, bringing back the style and flair of a bygone era with his signature charisma.
Backed by a tight trio led by Musical Director Ryan Corbitt, Mister Showtime is a great night out for both the young and the young at heart!
“He's got a voice like a million bucks and, more importantly, a sharp and sassy stage presence.”
~STYLE Weekly
“Scott Wichmann is a Force of Nature.”
~The Richmond Times-Dispatch
By Jerome Langston
“Every Brilliant Thing is a play that I have seen more often than any other play that I’ve directed,” says Tom Quaintance, the Producing Artistic Director of Virginia Stage Company, during a recent phone chat earlier this week. It’s quite the striking statement from this long-time AD and theatre director, who has obviously seen a whole lot of shows during his decades long career. Tom led VSC’s 2022 production of Every Brilliant Thing, which closed out season 43. Now it’s bringing season 46 to a fitting close, with a short run production on stage at the Wells, that also celebrates its successful touring production — a show that has impacted thousands of people with its over 70 performances.
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