Robert Porterfield News

We guarantee you will find a thrill of hope in "Wooden Snowflakes," an original play written by our resident playwright Catherine Bush. This heart-warming Appalachian Christmas story runs Nov. 20 - Dec. 23 at Barter Stage II.

Without a doubt, there is a Santa Claus! Barter Theatre presents "Elf: The Musical" Nov. 16 through Dec. 30. Based on the iconic holiday film, "Elf: The Musical" promises a jolly time for all this holiday season!

Barter Theatre's 17-Annual Young Playwrights Festival took place on November 5, 2018 with two performances in the morning at Gilliam Stage for over 800 students, and a public evening performance at Barter Stage II.

Barter Theatre is excited to announce the return of one the most beloved musical comedies of all time, "Singin' in the Rain". Running from Sept. 27 through Nov. 10, "Singin' in the Rain" follows beloved silent-film star Don Lockwood as he realizes the future of film rests in "talkies". Life and love ensue as he ponders his next move.

Barter Theatre is excited to present The "Fats" Waller Musical Show "Ain't Misbehavin'" running from August 17 through September 8. Take this incredible journey as audiences follow "Fats" Waller's music to the golden age of the Cotton Club. Enjoy an evening with rowdy and humorous songs that take you back in time to the Harlem Renaissance to a view of life that's meant for pleasure and play.

Barter Theatre presents "Madame Buttermilk" beginning June 7 running through August 11. With the original playwright out of Lexington, Kentucky, this thrilling mix of country music and opera graces the stage for the first time ever at Barter Theatre Stage II. See agents clash, people panic, and singers erupt at the worst possible moments in one of the funniest musicals you will ever experience.

Barter Theatre, which was founded on the principle of bartering crops and other goods for tickets to a show, continues tradition this summer with the return of "Barter Days" by once again, allowing patrons to trade canned and dried goods for admission to the theatre.

"Sister Act", the divine musical comedy, based on the hit 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg is a classic production that has been experienced by audiences all over the world. This entertaining summer smash hit is taking Gilliam Stage to the convent May 18 to August 11.

Barter Theatre is providing a humorous new perspective on the American dream with "The Lemonade Stand" by Matthew Fowler. This side-splitting comedy is the first of the summer season, running May 13 to August 11.

Barter Theatre presents "The Book of Mamaw," written and performed by Eugene Wolf. The highly coveted production will only have 11 performances during a three-week span, May 23 to June 14.

Shakespeare's "Richard III" is shaking things up at Barter Stage II with rearranged seating. In this performance, running April 12 - May 5, the theatre has been altered to allow the audience to be right in the middle of the action.

Barter Theatre presents "In the Heat of the Night" beginning April 7 through May 12. This thrilling murder mystery is based on John Ball's award-winning novel that inspired an Oscar-winning film, which resulted in the Emmy-winning television series.

Barter Theatre was officially recognized for the "50 for 50 Arts Inspiration Award" from The Virginia Commission for the Arts (VCA), the state arts agency, Wednesday, January 31.  Barter was chosen for this prestigious award out of a pool of over 350 nominees.

For five weeks only, Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's musical 'Bright Star' will be at Barter Theatre. The Grammy award-winning duo has collaborated again to create this gorgeous anthem to optimism. The writer, actor and musician, Steve Martin, and the singer-songwriter Edie Brickell's production will be on Gilliam Stage from February 22nd - March 31st , for the first time in the United States since it has been on Broadway.

The City of Mount Airy is looking to develop the former Spencer's Mill industrial property downtown, and ask Barter Theatre to expand operations. The plans call for a 500-seat Barter Theatre branch to be developed in Building Nine of the former Spencer's property, to the rear of structures fronting Willow Street where other facilities including a four-star hotel, banquet center and retail spaces are going to be developed.

Opening Barter Theatre's 2018 spring season is the favorite hit comedy, "A Facility for Living." The show will kick off the season February 8 at Barter Stage II. The director of "Million Dollar Quartet," Susanne Boulle, is returning to provide an amusing, entertaining, and life-affirming show that you won't forget.

Food City President and Chief Executive Officer Steven C. Smith hands over the keys to the former Food City Corporate Support Center to Barter Theatre.

He's been in wars, he's survived the apocalypse, he's driven cattle across the country, but he's never been to Barter Theatre. Until now.

One man will see just what lengths a good friend will go to when he is in need this fall in Friendly's Fire, starting Oct.5.

The world-famous detective will work to unravel one of his biggest cases yet in Sherlock Holmes and the American Problem, starting on Gilliam Stage Sept. 28.