Firehouse Theatre presents "Oedipus/a gospel myth," a reinterpretation of the tragedy by Sophocles, set in a southern African American church in the 1920s. The play is part of the 15th annual Acts of Faith Festival — the largest theater festival of its kind in the country. Photo courtesy of Firehouse Theatre

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Over the next couple of months, Richmond theaters will offer a variety of performances as part of the 15th Annual Acts of Faith Festival. It is the largest festival of its kind in the country.

Jeff Gallagher and Daniel Moor, members of the Second Presbyterian Church, and Bruce Miller, founding producer of the Virginia Repertory Theater, first developed the festival to bring people in different faith communities together to talk about their beliefs. They chose theater as an appropriate medium for spurring discussion.

This year, the festival addresses the theme of Timeless Stories/Current Events.

Twenty productions will be offered at a variety of theaters, with opportunities for discussions following several of the performances. Not all the plays address faith directly, but they all engage viewers in some way with issues that are relevant to all faith communities.

Plays and musicals, too

Through March 2, the Swift Creek Mill Theatre presents Cyrano de Bergerac, the late 19th century play by Edmond Rostand about a long-nosed poet’s faith in the power of undying love.

Until March 3, the Virginia Rep presents the work of another 19th-century author, Mark Twain, with Huck & Tom and the Mighty Mississippi at the Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn. It’s a musical where the actors present vignettes from both The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, encouraging young viewers to read Twain’s classics.

Through Feb. 23, the Firehouse Theatre presents Oedipus/a gospel myth, a reinterpretation of Sophocles’ tragedy. In this version, set in a southern African American church in the 1920s, the characters struggle to make sense of the contradictions of the blessings of God’s grace and the suffering experienced by so many.

As part of its Signature series, Virginia Rep will perform Once, based on the 2007 movie by John Carney, at the November Theatre from Feb. 8 to March 3. Once, a box-office hit, is a boy-meets-girl story that focuses on the redemptive power of music.

This production is unique among musicals because the actors also function as the orchestra, playing music to tell the story. Since it premiered, Once has won eight Tony Awards, a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album, and a Drama Desk Award for Best Musical.

During the last weekend of February and the first weekend in March, the Heritage Ensemble Theatre Company presents Looking Over the President’s Shoulder at Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center.

This one-man show is based on the true story of White House chief butler Alonzo Fields, who was forced during the Depression to forgo his dream of becoming an opera singer. The play is set on Fields’ last day of service, as he reflects on the 21 years he served the country’s leaders.

A world premiere

The Cadence Theatre and Virginia Rep are presenting the world premiere of In My Chair by Eva DeVirgilis from March 2 to 31. The play is based on a TEDx talk by DeVirgilis, an award-winning actress and makeup artist, on self-esteem, beauty image, and female empowerment.

From March 15 to April 28, Virginia Rep will also perform Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound at the Historic Hanover Tavern. That play is the third installment in Simon’s autobiography. It addresses the family challenges endured when Neil and his brother air their family laundry as they attempt to become successful comedy writers.

Other Acts of Faith productions include:

• Becky’s New Car at the Cadence Theatre, a story about a middle-aged woman who gets the chance to try another life,
• Every Brilliant Thing at HATTheatre, a story of depression, suicide, love and loss,
• An Act of God, an irreverent play making its premiere in Central Virginia with the Richmond Triangle Players,
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a production by TheatreLab that explores revenge in nineteenth-century London, and
• The Rothschilds at the Weinstein JCC, a story of a Jewish family trying to build a banking business in 18th century Europe.

To learn more about the Festival’s offerings, including its associated and fringe plays, see theactsoffaith.org. Ticket price information can be found at each of the individual theaters.