In My Chair

World Premiere of In My Chair, Co-Produced by Virginia Repertory Theatre and Cadence Theatre Company Announced

Inspiring solo-show by Eva DeVirgilis Runs March 2 to March 31

Richmond, VA – Virginia Repertory Theatre and Cadence Theatre Company, an award-winning producer of contemporary theatre for Richmond audiences, announces the world premiere of the solo-show In My Chair, written and performed by Eva DeVirgilis and directed by Lisa Rothe. This project was developed by Virginia Repertory Theatre and is  part of Richmond’s 2019 Acts of Faith Festival.

Based on her internationally renowned TEDx Talk, award-winning comedic actor/makeup artist Eva DeVirgilis takes us on a hilarious, poignant, sometimes heartbreaking first-person narrative through the world of ‘Beauty’ and asks the question: “Am I enough?”

After the viral success of her TEDx Talk, exposing her own struggle with self-acceptance, DeVirgilis received thousands of letters from women around the world who were struggling too. With each letter she received, she thought “I have to meet her.”  

DeVirgilis reached back out to these women and embarked on a global research tour, physically taking her makeup chair with her to gather unique, inspiring, and eye-opening perspectives on self-esteem, body image, and the often unbearable burden of 21st Century beauty standards.

In her piece, she introduces us to a transgender woman from the UK, a Muslim photographer in Malaysia, a journalist from Kenya, a prostitute in Thailand, a 100-year-old woman, a cancer survivor from Ireland, and many many more.  

Drawing on her chameleon-like skill and singular comic flair, DeVirgilis brings each character to vibrant life and helps each woman find the source of her true beauty– while continuing the struggle to discover her own.

A touching and hilarious story of connection, self-forgiveness and the power of lip- liner, In My Chair is guaranteed to uplift, inspire, and captivate. Anna Senechal Johnson, Cadence Theatre Company’s Artistic and Managing Director shared,  “We are thrilled beyond belief to be working with Eva, Lisa and Virginia Rep on this project. I have been so moved by Eva’s positive message, and can’t wait for audiences to experience her work for years to come.”

In My Chair is the latest production to benefit from Virginia Repertory Theatre’s New Play Development initiative, supported by the Muriel McAuley Fund for New Plays and Contemporary Theatre. The project supports a limited number of projects each season at various stages in development and shepherds them to their world premieres and beyond.

In My Chair will be in previews on February 28 and March 1 and runs March 2 to March 31 in the Theatre Gym. Acts of Faith talkbacks will follow the performances on March 10 and March 17. Tickets may be purchased by calling The Virginia Rep Box Office at  (804) 282-2620.

The show is presented by Cadence Season Sponsors Salomon & Ludwin and the E. Rhodes and Leona B . Carpenter Foundation. Additional support is from  Joan A. Albrecht, Ric and Rhona Arenstein, Joe and Sarah Hoyle, Heather Rice, The Board of Cadence Theatre Company, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

 EVA DEVIRGILIS is an Actor, Playwright & Activist for radical self-acceptance and female empowerment whose message of ‘Ending the Apology’ has gone global. With over a half-million views, her inspirational TEDxRVAwomen talk is one of the most viewed talks in TEDxRVA history. Eva has appeared in several multi-character solo-shows including The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe (Quill Theatre) and Hypocrites & Strippers (Richmond Triangle Players). She originated the 23-character-role of ‘Carol’ the World Premiere of the play Sam and Carol (Quill Theatre) by New York Times best-selling author David L. Robbins. As well as originating the role of ‘Lottie’ in Robbins’ play The End of War at Virginia Repertory Theatre. Film and television credits include Law & Order; Criminal Intent, Turn:Washington’s Spies, Legends & Lies: The Patriots, and the short film Demus directed by Samuel Roukin. Eva studied for two years under the wing of renowned actor Vincent D’Onofrio and earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from The New School in NYC.

LISA ROTHE is a NYC-based freelance theater director, acting coach, and educator and is currently a co-Artistic Director of The Actor’s Center (NYC). She is also a recent co-President of the League of Professional Theatre Women, a Usual Suspect with New York Theatre Workshop, an Artistic Affiliate and Audrey Fellow with New Georges, a Drama League alumna, on the Artistic Advisory Council of Epic Theatre Ensemble, on the Advisory Board of the Detroit Public Theatre, a Fox Fellow alumna, a member of the National Theater Conference, and was the Director of Global Exchange at The Lark for over five years.

She was nominated for the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation’s Joe A. Callaway Award for Direction for Hold These Truths by Jeanne Sakata (Epic Theatre Ensemble). Other recent directing work includes Wild Abandon (Irish Repertory Theatre), Sooner/Later (Cincinnati Playhouse), Confederates (Theatreworks Silicon Valley) (nominated for eight Bay Area Critics Circle Awards), Dear Elizabeth (People’s Light), and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Chautauqua Theater Company).

VIRGINIA REPERTORY THEATRE  is a regional professional theatre in Richmond, Virginia. With a budget of $5.5 million, four distinct venues, an educational touring arm, and an annual audience over 530,000, Virginia Rep is one of the largest performing arts organizations in Central Virginia. Virginia Rep stages four seasons annually: the Signature Season at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, Theatre Gym Season in partnership with Cadence Theatre Company, Virginia Rep’s Children’s Season at Willow Lawn, and the Hanover Tavern Season. 

CADENCE THEATRE COMPANY’s mission is to inspire and transform our community by presenting contemporary theatrical works and educational programs that uplift the spirit, challenge the mind, and honor both our individuality and our shared humanity. Through a commitment to artistic excellence, Cadence fearlessly tells the stories of our lives as we live them now. In pursuing its mission with a commitment to artistic excellence, Cadence, in partnership with Virginia Repertory Theatre, presents a three-show season that celebrates the world’s most renowned playwrights, composers, and lyricists, including such award-winning productions as Fun Home, Rabbit Hole, The Mountaintop, and Caroline, Or Change. Cadence also engages with the Richmond community by offering a wide range of educational and outreach programs for individuals of all ages, including STAGE WRITE (a program for local high school students that uses theatre arts to teach workforce readiness skills), TRAIN (a pre-professional theatre training program), Sitelines (bringing free theatre to public spaces across the city), 4th Wall Student Leadership Program, summer camps, internships, and classes and workshops for adults.