For a triumphal gala celebrating the best in regional theater, there are fewer venues either grander or more beloved than TheatreIV's Empire Theatre.
On Oct. 18, the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle is awarding its "Artsies" for the 2008-2009 season in a black-tie ceremony hosted by WWBT Channel 12 newscaster Aaron Gilchrist.
The "Artsies" awards will be interspersed with performances from productions nominated for Best Musical, which include Tick, Tick…Boom!, The Great American Trailer Park Musical and Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Scheduled presenters include Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones and best-selling author David L. Robbins.
The Liz Marks honor recognizing extraordinary ongoing contribution to regional theater is being received by the families of Wamer "Buddy" Callahan and Lou Rubin, two of the co-founders of the Swift Creek Mill Theatre.
Festivities begin at 7 p.m., and the public is invited. Tickets are $10, and proceeds from the awards support the Richmond Theatre Artists Fund, established by the Richmond Alliance of Professional Theatres to assist those in the theater community who fall on hard times.
Tickets can be purchased through the Theatre IV box office, at 344-8040.
