Noises Off
Belinda Blair
Keegan Theatre
Mark A. Rhea
“Marlene” is set in the dressing room of a Paris theatre, where an aging Marlene Dietrich is getting ready for a singing performance. In intimate backstage conversations, she blisters many of her Hollywood contemporaries, reveals delicate memories of her countless affairs with famous lovers, and flirts with her assistant Vivian, who is struggling to navigate the moods and high expectations of “la Dietrich”. But we also get a glimpse of the human behind the icon as she fights the demons of addiction, the ravages of aging, the fear to fail her perfectionist standards, and the ghosts of Germany’s Nazi past. Ending with a live concert, the play celebrates one of the most enigmatic and dazzling icons of the 20th century who defied many social and gender conventions of her time.
"ExPat’s Marlene is an example of the extraordinary talent tucked away in small spaces. It’s worth the trip to catch."
DC Theatre Arts
"...bringing Marlene Dietrich back to vibrant life as no documentary can."
BroadwayWorld
"Simultaneously relatable, sarcastic, sassy and endearing, [Valerie] represents the perfect combination of singer and actor, skillfully making her presence known in every scene without ever stealing the show." 'Into the Woods: Provocative and Pretty'
"Rigsbee positively sparkles on stage." 'Murder Most "Nile"'
"Valerie Adams Rigsbee [performs] with such expressive verve that she elicits chuckles with nearly every line." 'The Slapstick is Popping in Keegan's Noises Off'
Belinda Blair
Keegan Theatre
Mark A. Rhea
"Valerie Adams Rigbee makes her mark relaying Nothing On supporting player Belinda Blair with such expressive verve that she elicits chuckles with nearly every line."
Metro Weekly
"A masterclass in strong, ensemble-based comedy ... a do-not-miss!"
MD Theatre Guide
Mrs. Van Daan
Toby's Youth Theatre
David James
Michael u/s
1st Stage
Eric Ruffin
"This intimate play about connection where it’s least expected is well worth seeing."
MD Theatre Guide
"A happy ending and a cozy, warm play for a cold winter night."
DC Theater Arts
Miss Crookshank/Ensemble
Toby's Dinner Theatre
Shawn Kettering
"Miracle on 34th Street will put you in a mood for Christmas and put a smile in your heart — the Grinch would fall in love with this show."
DC Theater Arts
"Thanks to...wonderful music and singing, it was 'beginning to look like Christmas' in this wonderful performance-a perfect start to the season."
MD Theatre Guide
Sister Mary Patrick
Toby's Dinner Theatre
Mark Minnick
"Director and Choreographer Mark Minnick has directed a heartwarming show that audiences will adore. "
DC Theater Arts
"Sister Act is the most joyous show of the season, and that’s the God’s honest truth."
Hotchka
Ensemble (Tammy u/s)
Toby's Dinner Theatre
Mark Minnick
"Great harmony, wonderful dancing...The ensemble is comprised of very talented singers and dancers."
MD Theatre Guide
"It’ll sweep you away awhile and return you with a hankering for a...little more Buffett."
BroadwayWorld
Tilney / Sir Robert
Keegan Theatre
Ricky Drummond / Douglas Sebamala
"[I]t’s hard to imagine a better play, and cast...This choice is funny, loving, an overt ode to live theater."
Washington City Paper
"Don’t go to Shakespeare in Love for facts or history. Go to Shakespeare in Love for good, trashy fun."
DC Theater Arts
Elizabeth O'Neil
4615 Theatre Company
Jordan Friend
"Rounding out the cast are Valerie Adams Rigsbee, whose sweet, emotional performance is underlined with a steely spine." BroadwayWorld
"[They] have achieved something remarkable. They have created a new art form that is complex, fully realized, and utterly compelling." DC Metro Theatre Arts
Janis Curtis
Keegan Theatre
Elena Velasco / Mark A. Rhea
"[Valerie Adams Rigsbee] brings comedic charm to the fiery 'It’s A Fix.'"
Washington City Paper
"“If I Don’t Sleep” (beautifully sung by Valerie Adams Rigsbee and Gary DuBreuil), is a tenderly moving evocation of empathy, mutuality, and reciprocity in a marriage."
DC Metro Theater Arts
Andrea u/s
Studio Theatre
David Muse
"Absorbing and meticulously crafted."
Knockout acting in Studio’s play of a marriage on the rocks." The Washington Post
Mrs. Antrobus / Ivy u/s
Constellation Theatre
Mary Hall Surface
"All praise to Constellation for bringing off a seemingly impossible task with supreme aplomb. You’ll be dazzled and delighted."
‘The Skin of Our Teeth’ Review: Tending the Fire of Civilization, The Wall Street Journal
Evil Angel / Martino / Duke / Cardinal / Devil
Brave Spirits Theatre
Paul Reisman
"A stellar ensemble cast of seven play all the remaining multiple tracks to great effect. There are standout moments...from Valerie Adams Rigsbee. Overall, it’s a striking story, presented beautifully."
Review: ‘Doctor Faustus’ at Brave Spirits Theatre, DC Metro Theatre Arts
Cumie Barrow / Stella / Governor Miriam Ferguson
Monumental Theatre
Ryan Maxwell
"Many of the actors played numerous parts and their range was beyond remarkable.... Valerie Adams Rigsbee['s] attention to physicality and vocal patterns make[s] the multiple roles believable."
'Review: ‘Bonnie & Clyde The Musical’ at Monumental Theatre Company' by Kendall Mostafavi, DC Metro Theatre Arts
Margaret / Seacol
Next Stop Theatre
Abbie Fine
"The acting in this show is superb. Each actor shows so much attention to emotional nuance...Even the smaller parts were expertly played, such as...Valerie Adams Rigsbee's Margaret."
'Much Ado About Nothing at NextStop (review)' by RK Pendergrass, DC Theatre Scene
Soupy Sue (Penny Pennywise / Jo Strong u/s, perf)
Constellation Theatre
Alison Stockman
"The big cast snaps smartly across the small stage in number after number."
''Tis the (campaign) season for 'Urinetown'' by Nelson Pressley, Washington Post
A blog from the not-so-reasonable mind of Soupy Sue, as played by Valerie Adams Rigsbee.
Diana u/s, perf
Keegan Theatre
Mark A. Rhea and Colin Smith
"Directors [and] cast have honored Kitt and Yorkey's revelatory work with an unforgettable production."
'Next to Normal at Keegan Theatre (review)' by Ben Demers, DC Theatre Scene
Spiker / Sponge u/s, perf 10x
Adventure Theatre
Michael Baron
"Karen Vincent and Valerie Adams Rigsbee immediately endear themselves as the amusingly despicable villains."
'Review: James and the Giant Peach at Adventure Theatre MTC' by Kendall Mostafavi, DC Metro Theatre Arts
Doris
Papermill Theatre Co.
Kim Barber Knoll
"Valerie Adams Rigsbee DuBreuil spent time with [Jean's Playhouse] in 2014 summer and fall and winter shows before that. This is absolutely her best role ever. Don't miss this show."
Ken Chapman, Facebook Review
Suzy Hendrix
Acadia Repertory Theatre
Michael Kissen
Gretel
Acadia Repertory Theatre
Cheryl Willis
Mrs. Cratchit
U.S. National Tour
Scott Severance
Mistress Quickly
Advice to the Players
Candice Clift
Lady / Shepherdess
The Guthrie Theatre
Jonathan Munby
"The talented cast makes music with his poetic language, while the designers deliver one interesting idea after another."
'Theater review: 'The Winter’s Tale'' by Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press:
Dodo
Skylark Opera
Steven Stucki
"Neu and Freeh manage to dress a small stage with lots of performers who move about with admirable precision. The overall result is homage to traditional operetta as well as to the winking broadness of old-style musical theater."
'Skylark Opera's 'Merry Widow' charms, produces chuckles' by David Hawley, Pioneer Press
Virginia
Theatre Pro Rata
Carin Bratlie
"Valerie Rigsbee gives a touching performance as Galileo's daughter, demonstrating the human cost of this clash between science and politics when she is jilted by her fiancé."
'Galileo vs. the Church' by Lisa Brock, Star Tribune
Queen Margaret
Advice to the Players
Andrew Codispoti
"Much of the cast is very strong...Valerie Rigsbee gives a suitably crazed and over-the-top performance as Queen Margaret."
Advice to the Players offers compelling take on 'Richard III' by Alec Kerr, The Conway Daily Sun
Rev. Mother Mary Regina
Papermill Theatre Co.
Sharon Paquette
Christina Grant
Acadia Repertory Theatre
Cheryl Willis
"Valerie Rigsbee positively sparkles on stage, imbuing the long-suffering Christina Grant an inner strength and self-possession that makes the character's development completely believable, something that is often missed by actors in this role."
'Murder Most "Nile"' by Melinda Rice, Mount Desert Islander