The Firehouse Theatre Project produces contemporary theater in a an urban space – a 101-year-old former station house of the Richmond City Fire Department. Featuring Off-Broadway shows and original works, the Firehouse Theatre Project brings to Richmond audiences a New York theater experience at a lower price point and with more emphasis on the actor.

RENT at Firehouse Theatre Project through August 1

This year’s Special Summer Production is RENT, from June 24 to August 1, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 PM, with “pay-what-you-will” matinees on Sundays at 4 PM.  Susan Haubenstock of the Richmond Times-Dispatch reviewed RENT on June 26th. The basis of the musical is following a group of young people living in New York as they deal with issues of money, mortality, love and betrayal.

Located a short walk from our Fan District bed and breakfast, the Firehouse Theatre Project is often a source of entertainment for visitors to the Fan District and Richmond, as well. In fact, guests have selected our bed and breakfast as their favorite accommodations for a weekend of performing arts. A previous post to this blog, chronicled one couple’s experience. Select your guest room now, and get your tickets to see RENT for a getaway to remember.

The last weekend in March is a weekend full of great activities to enjoy in Richmond Virginia and most are within a mile or two of our historic Fan District bed and breakfast.

The 11th Annual Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k, with its kids’ Fun Run, and Dress-Up and Run contest will take place Saturday March 27.  The run takes participants up and down Monument Avenue, one of America’s most beautiful boulevards. The morning is slated to be cool – perfect running weather and this forecast for sun is the first time for sunny weather since 2007!  As of now, somewhere around 37,000 participants have registered and registration is now closed, but there are plenty of opportunities to cheer the participants on, listen to the bands along the route, check out the Party Stops along the way, and take part in the festival in Monroe Park.

The 2010 Downtown Loft Tour takes place on March 27 between 10 Am and 5 Pm.  Sponsored by Venture Richmond, this is the opportunity to meet the owners, hear their stories,  and tour their spaces. Seeing is believing downtown’s lofty lifestyle.

Friday March 26 hosts the Fourth Friday Art Walk with new exhibits at Art Works, 320 Hull Street, and Reception at Russell Projects at Plant Zero Studio 44.  Of course, “Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz” continues until Sunday March 28 at Richmond’s Landmark Theater, ending its 19 day run here in Richmond.  The Richmond Ballet performs the two three-piece programs they will take to New York City’s Joyce Theater in April this Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and then again on Tuesday March 30 through Thursday April 1.  Lisa Lampanelli, the Queen of Mean, appears Saturday at the Carpenter Theatre at CenterStage.  Thursday, March 25, the Firehouse Theatre Project presents “Epiphany50 – One for the Road” a one man show written and performed by Bill Patton.  On Saturday, March 27, attend the 2010 Fire Ball, food, drink, raffle, auction to support the Firehouse Theatre. Attire is theatrical black-tie, tickets $65 per person.  Assorted live music options are also available at Richmond’s many venues.

Weekends are lively, upbeat, and fun in Richmond Virginia and a bed and breakfast stay is bound to create one-of-a-kind memories.

This past Friday evening at our Richmond inn, began with wine and cheese, complimentary, of course.  Lively discussion about the evening’s plans kept conversation flowing and made the time fly by.  There were so many choices, but these three came to the top: a leisurely-paced dinner at Six Burner, a fine neighborhood restaurant; hop the “green bus,” the free bus to the Bottom and back to catch the active nightlife; or stroll to a neighborhood spot for a quick bite then on to the  Firehouse Theatre Project for their current production of “Crumble (Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake).”

Christina Billew Featured in Firehouse Theatre Project's "Crumble (Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake)" through March 20

Decision made: quick bite and theater! Though the windy evening made the night air feel colder than it was, our walk (2 1/2 blocks) to pizza spot, Pie! on Lombardy Street was short and sweet.  Huge salad to share and pizza to share, thin crust and done extra crispy, and a bottle of Malbec to wash it all down. Throughout the dinner conversation, remarks turned to the evening’s performance and the entertainment ahead.

Another brisk walk up Lombardy to Broad, around the corner to the lighted awning welcoming theater-goers to “Off-Broadway on Broad Street.”

The Firehouse Theatre Project at 1609 West Broad Street is a neighborhood theater, founded in 1993 producing contemporary theater in an authentic urban space – the 101-year-old former Station House #10 of the Richmond Fire Department. The project is known for presenting Off-Broadway shows and original works that emphasize each of the actors – at ticket prices way below a New York experience. A Richmond-Times Dispatch review was published this morning. The production extends through March 20, 2010 and tickets range from $10 to $25. What a bargain!

So you’re invited to live like a local, check into one of the guest rooms of our Historic Fan District Bed and Breakfast, and spend a weekend exploring the hidden treasures of this fabulous neighborhood.