Another Fun Weekend in Staunton, 2/24-26, 2017

Overlooking Staunton's historic district from Woodrow Park

Renaissance Season at the American Shakespeare Center (ASC) in Staunton is always a fun and a unique experience.  The theater is a replica of the Blackfriars Theater in London but with HVAC and indoor plumbing (thank goodness).  The staging conditions are the same as in Shakespeare's day - no curtain and all the lights are on (electric today, not the drippy candles of history) which brings the audience definitely into the play.  In fact some audience members actually sit on the stage.  During the "Ren" season, again duplicating conditions from Shakespeare's day, the actors have just a few days to rehearse and they must collaborate because there is no director or costume designer.

The front of the Blackfriar's Theater

The street in front of the theater ending at the Mary Baldwin University campus.

                                                                                   

The  playlist for the remaining seasons in this 2016/17 performance year.

The current playbill has Chris Johnston on the cover.  His development as an actor and musician has been impressive since his 1st season with ASC.  He has been in 130 roles in 83 productions.  He, fellow actor Rene Thornton, Jr.,  and my good friend Renee O'Brien are UTES (University of Utah grads).  Go UTES!









This season the resident company has 12 actors.  Many of the plays have more than that number of roles so it's not unusual to see the same actor in multiple roles in 1 production (pay attention to costumes - it helps keep the characters straight) and casting cannot stick to gender.

As always, we stayed at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel which is next door to the theater.

Even though the date was February 25th, the temperature was in the 70's when we arrived.  Many were enjoying the spring-like weather by eating outside at the Bistro.

The walk from the Bistro back to the hotel is always interesting.  Lots of shops to explore and fun signs to see.

Crown Jewelers is there for guys

I think we're all feeling like this right now.

Friday evening we attended a special reception to meet Jim Warren, the Artistic Director of ASC, and Emma Whipday, a London playwright.  

Emma Whipday discussing her play.

Her play Shakespeare's Sister was having it's world premier after the reception so it was interesting to hear how she had written the play and how it had come to Staunton for it's first production.  She's also a huge fan of Jane Austen and ASC's touring company will be performing her adaptation of Sense and Sensibilities during the 2017-18 performance calendar, ending in Staunton next April.

After the play, 4 of the actors, Jim, and Emma participated in a panel discussion about the play and took questions from the audience.  The play will run until the end of March.  I urge everyone to try to see it.  

Saturday morning I left George at the hotel and went for a walk and photo shoot in and around the historic district.

Staunton is support to be in a valley between the Blue Ridge and the Appalachian Mountains, so why is it that no matter where I want to go it's UP?

Near the hotel is a showroom full of antique cars.  The lights are never on, no one is ever there and there is no sign.  I have no idea why these cars are here but it's fun to look through the window and see if the collection has changed any.

Couldn't resist trying for 1 artsy-fartsy shot using the reflections in the window.

On the same street as the antique cars is 1 of our favorite restaurants, mainly because it's close to the hotel.  There are many excellent restaurants in Staunton - a real foodie's delight.

Yes, there is live jazz every Wednesday night.












Looks like maybe a Texan owns this building.

A great place for a photo shoot is down by the train depot, but of course, I love trains so it's a favorite spot for me.

We keep saying we're going to take Amtrak to Staunton.  Maybe next trip.

Today the station is unmanned.  Buy your ticket on line and be on the platform at the right time.  The train will stop for you.

One of my favorite shops is on the Wharf.

I have a lovely hand-dyed silk tunic made by Laurie's daughter.  It's my standby dress up choice.  It has been worn on formal night during our last 2 cruises.

Here's the front of Rachel's shop

The back is made from an old freight car.

I made it to Woodrow Park to enjoy the views.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church is in the center.  I have shots of the amazing Tiffany stained glass windows found in the sanctuary in a post dated February 2014.  

Looked dramatic so I gave it a shot.

On the way back to the hotel I stopped in to see the juried student (elementary through high school) art exhibit in the History and Art Museum.

I think maybe Shelby has been to Austin.

Amazing work for a 5th grader.

Been up in them thar hills way too long.

When I returned to the hotel a wine festival was in full and loud swing.

Thus endth another trip to Staunton.  We'll be back.