Fairfax City News and Events

The pandemic has made live theater performances extremely challenging. Thankfully, the internet allows us to watch Fairfax City’s hard-working thespians from the safety and comfort of our homes.

The FX Players will stream their performance of the hit Broadway musical Little Women four times from May 20 to May 22. The show will be streamed at 7 p.m. on May 20 and 21, and at 2 and 7 p.m. on May 22.

Tickets are $11.03 per adult, $9.87 per student, and $27.03 per family. All proceeds support future FX Players productions. Purchase your tickets at www.FXplayers.org. A virtual Playbill will be sent with the link for viewing the performance.

Under the direction of new theatre director Christopher Whitney, the troupe of young actresses and actors has been rehearsing since mid-March. In a normal year, a musical requires eight weeks of practice, but due to limits on gathering sizes, the FX Players were forced to master their songs and lines in just six weeks.

“The actors had to adjust to acting and singing with face masks,” Whitney said. In addition to masks, filming a theatrical musical presented new challenges. “We had to play the moments more subtle and intimate,” Whitney explains.

Fairfax High School student actors were presented with a list of six musicals Whitney felt comfortable directing in a film-style format. Little Women received the most votes.

FHS senior Tori Miller, who plays Jo March, said, “Little Women is a fun and beautiful show with a timeless and valuable story. It’s an entertaining production full of laughs but also has some touching and tearful moments. The phenomenal cast and crew worked extremely hard on it.” 

Tea Party Kit

Purchasing concessions is part of the fun of attending a live performance. Since Little Women will be a virtual performance, the booster club had to get creative. Viewers are encouraged to purchase a tea party kit, which includes recipes, food, a card signed by the cast, and arts and crafts activities with a video tutorial created and starring actresses from the production. “It’s a lot of fun! All the proceeds support the FX Players,” said Whitney.

New Theater Director

Prior to leading the FX Players, Whitney taught theater for 13 years at Warren County High School in Front Royal, Va. He is a professional actress who has performed in the Washington, D.C. area. Whitney has also worked at the Shakespeare Theatre, Arena Stage, and Interact Story Theatre.

Watch the trailer at www.FXplayers.org and buy your tickets today.

Watch the May 11 City Council meeting or read the minutes. Each agenda item has its own video segment.

View the Council Reporter.

Did you miss the sunset show at Historic Blenheim? Don't worry! Two stellar ensembles from The Cathedral Brass are performing this weekend at Old Town Square and Veterans Amphitheater. Don’t miss memorable performances of your favorite songs by Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Rossini, Duke Ellington, and Europe. Details in the city calendar. Shows start at 7 p.m. 

It is spring time and that means grass and weeds are thriving. As a property owner – both residential and commercial – you are responsible for maintaining your grass and weeds to a height of 6 inches or less.  To report tall grass and weeds, contact CodeAdministration@fairfaxva.gov.

The second phase of the Tusico Branch stream restoration is slated to begin in June. This project will stabilize stream banks, reduce flow velocity, improve aquatic habitat, replace invasive plants with native vegetation, improve water quality, and protect private property. 

Follow the project on Engage Fairfax. 

Read the police department’s daily crime and weekly arrest reports. 

Did you know stormwater in the city drains into four different waterways? Depending on where it falls, stormwater flows into Accotink Creek, Pohick Creek, Difficult Run, or Lower Bull Run.

Polluted stormwater runoff is the number one cause of poor water quality in Northern Virginia rivers and streams. These freshwater bodies serve as sources of our drinking water.

The Department of Public Works manages, maintains and repairs approximately 60 miles of storm drain pipe and 3,650 storm sewer structures throughout the city that directly discharge into local waterways.

If you are aware of any discharges into storm sewers, city streams, or even on roads that appear to be of a chemical nature, including oil or any hazardous substances that should not be allowed into the city streams, please contact the City of Fairfax Fire Marshal.