Photos by Jay Paul
Archive: The Fabulous Lipitones
September 18 – October 25, 2015
Hanover Tavern
By John Markus and Mark St. Germain
Direction by John Markus
"...The Lipitones have plenty to love."
"A terrific cast... clever dialogue and hysterical scenes."
"A surefire audience pleaser loaded with genuine laughs."
"Valayil as Bob is absolutely brilliant…"
"...Delightful, consistently funny and even somewhat poignant theater experience"
In this hilarious regional premiere, a barbershop quartet loses their lead singer to a heart-stopping high “B-Flat”. As they desperately search for a new tenor the parochial mid-westerners defy convention to welcome Bob as the unlikely replacement. Featuring favorite upbeat tunes, this new musical is an uproarious comedy of misunderstanding, stereotypes and the path to perfect harmony.
Emmy Winner John Markus to Helm Virginia Repertory Theatre's The Fabulous Lipitones
The Making of Harmony
Never before have I seen such perfection and expression of totally in sync synergy as flows in a tidal wave of laughter... The Fabulous Lipitones is simply peerless.
Examiner.com
The Fabulous Lipitones... could easily fall into the category of ‘sitcom onstage’ comedy, but thank heavens it rises far above and beyond. Lipitones is a deliciously funny and substantially reflective take on what might happen if a traditional barbershop quartet inducted a culturally un…suitable replacement.
Grigware.com
Tuffy Stone and John Markus talk about the event on WTVR Channel 6
John Markus
Virginia Rep is delighted to welcome John Markus as the director of his new work,
The Fabulous Lipitones. Markus is an Emmy Award-winning writer, playwright, director, and television producer. He is best known for his work as the head writer and co-executive producer for
The Cosby Show.
He wrote or co-wrote 67 episodes, earning an Emmy, a Peabody back-to-back Humanitas prizes, and a People’s Choice award for "The Greatest Sitcom of All Time."
Markus also co-created the Cosby spin-off A Different World and produced the Larry Sanders Show on HBO. He is currently the creator and executive producer of the television hit
BBQ Pitmasters featuring Richmond’s own BBQ Master Tuffy Stone.
Dedication
With affection and respect, we dedicate this performance of The Fabulous Lipitones to the memory of Mike McKeever, former Treasurer of the Board of Directors of Theatre IV. Professionally, Mike was retired as Corporate Treasurer of Ethyl. Personally, he brought laughter and positive energy to the various entities that earned his support, including not only Theatre IV but also St. Edward’s Catholic Church, the Senior Men’s Association at Salisbury Country Club, and, most especially, his loving family. His good humor and joy in living will be long remembered and greatly missed.