Summer at ASC Delivers Romance, Rhythm & Rave Reviews
The reviews are in, and critics agree, this summer’s performances at the American Shakespeare Center are not to be missed. With one week left in the 2025 Summer Season, it’s your last chance to experience these powerful productions live, in the world’s first recreation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre: the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, VA.
(Raven Lorraine performs the Preshow Speech in THE WINTER’S TALE, 2025 on stage at the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, VA. Photo by Madison Patterson.)
“There’s something special about a live, lights-up performance … even if you know the characters and the stories by heart, there’s a special thrill having them come to life before your very eyes, just a few feet from where you sit.” – Andy Walker White, DC Theatre Arts Review
Hot off the Press: What the reviews are saying
(Jordan Friend, Raven Lorraine, and Komi M. Gbeblewou in Sense & Sensibility. Photo by Alaina Shefelton.)
DC Theater Arts says ASC’s Sense & Sensibility is “up close and relatable”:
“It’s amazing what a difference it makes when these characters are close enough to touch, because their relatability, 200 years on, reminds us why Austen is still one of our most popular authors.” – Andy Walker White, DC Theatre Arts Review
… and they hail The Winter’s Tale as “memorably brilliant”:
“From the minute the cast dives into the preshow tunes, you’ll find yourself immersed in a world of familiar emotions — jealousy, hatred, regret … This is a play that must be seen live to be enjoyed, and the ASC’s repertory company navigates its many twists and turns with great skill indeed.” – Andy Walker White, DC Theatre Arts Review
[Geoffrey Warren Barnes II in The Winter’s Tale. Photo by Madison Patterson]
While C’VILLE Weekly praises ASC’s The Winter’s Tale for its inventive take:
“In the reliably capable hands of the cast at Staunton’s Blackfriars Playhouse, The Winter’s Tale takes on a life of its own in a manner that sets it apart. The cast breathes new life into a roughly 415-year-old work, delighting through inventive staging and top-tier acting.” – CM Gorey, C’VILLE Weekly
… and says Sense & Sensibility is “brimming with wit, despair, humor, and insight”:
“The adaptation by Emma Whipday with Brian McMahon shares the story of Dashwood sisters Elinor and Marianne as they navigate the entanglements of familial and romantic relationships. Exploring themes that continue to resonate with modern audiences.” – C’VILLE Weekly
Plan Your Visit to Staunton Before the Season Ends Aug. 2nd
Whether you’re drawn to regency romance or just there for the bear, ASC’s summer repertory showcases the magic of live theater in Virginia, up close, unforgettable, and brilliantly alive.
There’s still time to catch these critically acclaimed shows before ASC’s summer season closes. Make a weekend of it in Downtown Staunton, where historic charm meets vibrant arts, great food, and unforgettable performances.
Final performances run through this weekend, August 2, 2025, at the Blackfriars Playhouse. Don’t miss your last chance to experience Shakespeare in shared light, as it was meant to be seen.
Get your tickets now to The Winter’s Tale and Sense & Sensibility.
Go Behind the Scenes of The Winter’s Tale
If you join us this Friday you’ll have chance to join the discussion at our Lights ON Blackfriars.
August 1 — The Music Behind The Winter’s Tale
Featuring Dr. Stacey Jocoy and Jordan Friend, Music Director and Composer
5:00 PM at the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia
This live pre-show conversation invites you into the creative process behind the sound of the show, from Shakespeare’s rhythm to the rise of jazz. You’ll hear how Jordan built a sonic world inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, and how Dr. Stacey Jocoy’s deep knowledge of early music helps us understand what audiences then and now hear when Shakespeare’s words start to sing.
Dr. Jocoy is a musicologist, performer, and professor whose work explores how music, text, and meaning come together on stage. She teaches at Texas Tech University and has spent her career uncovering the ways music shapes drama, especially in Shakespeare’s plays.
Tickets are required and available online or through the ASC Box Office.
Learn More about Lights ON Blackfriars Events
Catch the show before the press: Fall 2025 at the American Shakespeare Center
Can’t make it this weekend? ASC’s Fall Season opens soon with a thrilling new repertory lineup:
Opening Dates:
- Romeo & Juliet opens August 29
- The Two Gentlemen of Verona joins on September 11
- The world premiere of The Pirate Ballad of Bonny and Read happens on October 16
Plan ahead for an unforgettable season of live Shakespeare performances in Downtown Staunton, where fall feels like a storybook that Blackfriars Playhouse brings to life. Visit our calendar for the full schedule, ticket information, and travel tips.