Music

This week is Style’s Music issue, which I urge you to check out. Just like non-theater people are always surprised when I talk about how much theater is happening in Richmond, I am always kind of amazed when I get a glimpse of how much music there is to enjoy here in our little burg.

There are, of course, a lot of cross-currents between the theatrical and musical worlds here in town. Three artists who I know mostly as stage actresses will be again bringing their “Three Divas” act to the stage at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen next week. If you got a taste of their fabulousness at the RTCC awards last October, imagine how great a whole evening of them will be. (Also, if you haven’t seen it, don’t miss your last opportunities to see Debra in “Always...Patsy Cline,” closing this weekend.)

These aren’t the only local actors who regularly make waves as singers. One of Richmond’s favorite sons, Jason Mraz, has been popping up in national media lately promoting his new album and tour. Facebook was abuzz a few days ago when word got out that Zak Resnick, who last year got a smidge of airtime on American Idol, was cast in Mama Mia on Broadway (read this amusing story from Christine Walters related to Mr. Resnick). I’ve also enjoyed seeing Richmond stage vet, Angie Atkinson (formerly Shipley), start to gain some recognition as a singer while plying the club scene in NYC (see some of her videos here).

My current personal obsession is The Civil Wars, and not just because they have a song on the Hunger Games soundtrack. I only saw them for the first time last night on Jimmy Kimmel and am kind of staggered by how powerful just two voices and a guitar can be.

And speaking of music, we’re coming into a bit of a local musical season, with Seussical opening next weekend, followed in quick succession by Dessa Rose and The Musical of Musicals. Seems like it’s going to be a tuneful spring.