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Wells Theatre

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Jake Wells had the looks of a matinee idol, an athlete's physique and was a star on the baseball field. Before Wells became a theatre mogul, he was a catcher and first baseman and the popular manager of the Richmond Colts. Wells entered Spence's Trunk Store in downtown Richmond to purchase a leather strap to bundle baseball bats. He inquired about the store's odd architecture. The store was the former Barton Opera House which failed as a "honky tonk" featuring disreputable entertainment. He quickly persuaded Spence to relinquish his lease, and reopened the building as the Bijou Family Theatre on January 9, 1899. Richmond's first Vaudeville house was an immediate success and Jake Wells made the transition from baseball to "Mr. Clean Entertainment." Norfolk was the first city Wells chose to expand his theatrical enterprise. Otto Wells, Jake's younger half-brother, arrived from Pensacola, Florida, to open the Granby Theatre in 1901. Ten years later the brothers operated the largest theatre circuit outside New York, and by the early 1920's Jake Wells was known as The Father of Vaudeville in the Southeast.

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Contact Info

    Wells Theatre

    108 East Tazewell Street
    Norfolk, VA 23510

    Phone: (757) 627-6988   |   Fax: 7576285958   |   Email   |  

  • Map

    Full map and directions

  • Accessibility Services

    There is no accessibility service information available at this time.

  • • Current Events

      07/21/09- Ongoing

      Custom Design a Workshop Wells Theatre Custom Design a Workshop Presented by Virginia Stage Company at Wells Theatre July 21, 2009 - Ongoing Appropriate for all ages: Discuss your curriculum goals with Virginia Stage Company’s Director of Education & Outreach and plan a workshop or workshop series to achieve these goals. Workshops and activities are specifically designed to enrich the students’ learning experience by fully engaging them in the theatrical form. * limit 30 students

      07/17/09- Ongoing

      Class Act - Acting Workshop Wells Theatre Class Act - Acting Workshop Presented by Virginia Stage Company at Wells Theatre July 17, 2009 - Ongoing Appropriate for all ages, this workshop is designed to guide the novice actor through the ins and outs of the art of drama. Whether your class needs help with a school play, your students are learning communication and speaking skills, or whether you are simply looking to boost confidence, Class Act will provide a fun and safe environment for your students to expand their own individual creativity. Our Emerging Artists Ensemble will educate and energize your class as they are taught theatre...

  • • Upcoming Events

      02/21/12- 03/11/12

      Death of a Salesman Wells Theatre Death of a Salesman Presented by Virginia Stage Company at Wells Theatre February 21-March 11, 2012 Willy Loman's insatiable quest for the "American Dream" has kept him blind to the people who truly loved him. A thrilling play of deep and revealing beauty that remains one of the most profound dramas in American theater, Death of a Salesman won the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play.

      03/27/12- 04/15/12

      The Fantasticks Wells Theatre The Fantasticks Presented by Virginia Stage Company at Wells Theatre March 27-April 15, 2012 The WORLD'S LONGEST-RUNNING MUSICAL! Two starry-eyed kids face scheming parents, a wall built between them and the allure of the outside world on their journey to love. The timeless message of the power of love set to instantly recognizable melodies will warm your heart.

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    NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.

• Current &
  Upcoming Events

  • Current Events

    07/21/09- Ongoing

    Custom Design a Workshop Wells Theatre Custom Design a Workshop Presented by Virginia Stage Company at Wells Theatre July 21, 2009 - Ongoing Appropriate for all ages: Discuss your curriculum goals with Virginia Stage Company’s Director of Education & Outreach and plan a workshop or workshop series to achieve these goals. Workshops and activities are specifically designed to enrich the students’ learning experience by fully engaging them in the theatrical form. * limit 30 students

    07/17/09- Ongoing

    Class Act - Acting Workshop Wells Theatre Class Act - Acting Workshop Presented by Virginia Stage Company at Wells Theatre July 17, 2009 - Ongoing Appropriate for all ages, this workshop is designed to guide the novice actor through the ins and outs of the art of drama. Whether your class needs help with a school play, your students are learning communication and speaking skills, or whether you are simply looking to boost confidence, Class Act will provide a fun and safe environment for your students to expand their own individual creativity. Our Emerging Artists Ensemble will educate and energize your class as they are taught theatre...

  • Upcoming Events

    02/21/12- 03/11/12

    Death of a Salesman Wells Theatre Death of a Salesman Presented by Virginia Stage Company at Wells Theatre February 21-March 11, 2012 Willy Loman's insatiable quest for the "American Dream" has kept him blind to the people who truly loved him. A thrilling play of deep and revealing beauty that remains one of the most profound dramas in American theater, Death of a Salesman won the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play.

    03/27/12- 04/15/12

    The Fantasticks Wells Theatre The Fantasticks Presented by Virginia Stage Company at Wells Theatre March 27-April 15, 2012 The WORLD'S LONGEST-RUNNING MUSICAL! Two starry-eyed kids face scheming parents, a wall built between them and the allure of the outside world on their journey to love. The timeless message of the power of love set to instantly recognizable melodies will warm your heart.

• Past
  Events

  • Past Events

    01/17/12- 02/05/12	Black Pearl Sings! Wells Theatre
    12/02/11- 12/24/11	A Christmas Carol Wells Theatre
    10/18/11- 11/06/11	The Woman in Red Wells Theatre
    09/13/11- 10/02/11	God of Carnage Wells Theatre
    06/26/11	2011 Grand Showcase: "When I Grow Up" Wells Theatre
    03/29/11- 04/17/11	Radio Golf Wells Theatre
    03/26/11	Bring Kids to the Theater Day! Wells Theatre
    02/22/11- 03/13/11	The Last Five Years Wells Theatre
    01/18/11- 02/06/11	SCKBSTD Wells Theatre
    01/08/11	Bruce Hornsby Performs the Music of SCKBSTD - The Making of a Musical Wells Theatre
    11/28/10- 12/24/10	A Christmas Carol Wells Theatre
    10/26/10- 11/14/10	The New Pink - An Implausible Comedy Wells Theatre
    09/21/10- 10/10/10	The Diary of Anne Frank Wells Theatre
    09/07/10	Savor The Stage Season Kickoff Wells Theatre
    05/16/10	Where the Crossroads Meet: Songs from a Woman's Perspective Wells Theatre
    04/21/10- 04/25/10	The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Wells Theatre
    04/21/10- 04/25/10	Virginia Arts Festival: Reduced Shakespeare Company Wells Theatre
    03/30/10- 04/18/10	A Raisin In The Sun Wells Theatre
    02/23/10- 03/14/10	Around The World In 80 Days Wells Theatre
    01/19/10- 02/07/10	Billy Bishop Goes to War Wells Theatre
    11/29/09- 12/24/09	A Christmas Carol Wells Theatre
    10/20/09- 11/08/09	//romeo&juliet/ Wells Theatre
    09/15/09- 10/04/09	Alive and Well Wells Theatre
    07/24/09	Hit Me with a Hot Note Starring Lindsay Eure Wells Theatre
    07/21/09- 10/17/10	Kidswright Wells Theatre
    03/31/09- 04/19/09	Ella Wells Theatre
    02/24/09- 03/15/09	Line in the Sand Wells Theatre
    01/20/09- 02/08/09	A Moon for the Misbegotten Wells Theatre
    12/03/08- 12/23/08	A Christmas Carol Wells Theatre
    10/21/08- 11/09/08	Centennial Casting Wells Theatre
    09/16/08- 10/05/08	My Fair Lady Wells Theatre
    07/12/08	Leslie Jordan's My Trip Down the Pink Carpet Wells Theatre
    04/25/08- 04/27/08	Lost in the Stars Wells Theatre
    04/01/08- 04/20/08	Hank Williams: Lost Highway Wells Theatre
    02/26/08- 03/16/08	The Poetry of Pizza Wells Theatre

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