For the past six months, ArtStream’s Virginia Company B has been developing and rehearsing a war of the worlds, featuring a clash of famous show-business and historical figures.
And tomorrow night (Friday), “The Great Put-Together!” makes its world premiere at James Lee Community Center (2855 Annandale Road, #114) in the West Falls Church area of Fairfax County.
The show is one of two scheduled that evening for ArtStream, a 20-year-old inclusive-theater organization that provides adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities an artistic outlet.
Since late 2024, members of Company B have been gathering at the nonprofit ServiceSource Center in Oakton. Aided by ArtStream staff and community volunteers, they first developed a theme, then created their characters, and ultimately began to learn lines and prepare for the show.
“It’s all based on the actors’ imaginations and their interests. They create these sorts of fantastical worlds,” said Hayley Cutler, who is producing the shows and serves as ArtStream’s associate artistic director.
She and others involved in the effort spoke to FFXnow on Tuesday night (April 7), as rehearsal was underway on stage at the Lee Center.
“The Great Put-Together!” is an engaging romp combining the Wild West, medieval England, “The Sopranos” and rock-and-roll, with characters ranging from Annie Oakley to King Arthur, all set amid two warring planets in a solar system far, far away.
Into the mix come two brothers — one identified as “a planetary plumber and the other a conniving self-help guru” — along with Judy Garland, her Dorothy character from “The Wizard of Oz” and Melinda the Good Witch.
“Is there anything to bring together these two warring planets before chaos ensues?” the playbill teases.
Chloe Jane Peren, assistant director of the show, said the experience of bringing it to life and working with the cast has been exciting.
“I never know what I am going to learn when I walk into the space,” she said. “Even as we are teaching the actors, they really guide us and teach us.”
Among those in the cast is Jack Abdo, who is portraying Irish-dance choreographer Michael Flatley.
Abdo, who is performing in his third show with ArtStream, said he enjoys a “very good” relationship with the rest of the cast. Plus, he has a helpful trait for those on the stage.
“I never get nervous,” Abdo told FFXnow.
Zayd Anwarzai, portraying Tony Soprano, also was appreciative of the opportunities offered by ArtStream.
“I’m enjoying the experience, the sense of community, coming up with my characters,” he said, including the idea to incorporate the late James Gandolfini’s iconic mobster into the new show.
Although she’s in her first production with Company B, Allie Welch has performed in other ArtStream productions through the years. For this show, she chose as her character the legendary Judy Garland.
“She’s a good singer, she’s pretty,” Welch said of her character. “I can’t wait to be on stage.”
In addition to letting her share her theatrical talents, the social opportunities offered by ArtStream have been rewarding for Welch.
“It’s really fun. You get to meet a lot of new people,” she said.
Hannah Roti is portraying Elphaba Thropp from the novel and subsequent stage and movie musical adaptations of “Wicked,” which reimagined the early life of the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz.”
“I’ve got a broom!” Roti said of her character, who has the opportunity to do a lot of dancing on stage.
“It’s a fun experience,” she said.
While Company B was downstairs at the community center running through its songs, Company A was upstairs on stage, taking direction and blocking, as showbiz types put it, its own show.
Based at Arlington Presbyterian Church, Company A is presenting “Rooted in Unity” in repertory with “The Great Put-Together!” for the two days of performance. Audiences at both the Friday and Saturday performances will see both shows.
“Rooted in Unity” revolves around a group of three entrepreneurial individuals who summon a scientist, “Dr. Scruples,” to investigate an odd tree in their midst. She discovers that the tree is home to various creatures who help each other, and the tree itself, in inclusive living.
Among those in the cast is Siobhan Murphy, who portrays Raven, an Irish witch.
“She’s strong, independent and very, very smart,” Murphy said of her character, which she helped to develop.
Growing up in a family with a theater and music background, Murphy said she enjoys the camaraderie of working with other actors and production staff.
“They are really nice and keep me safe,” she told FFXnow. “I have a million friends here.”
As with Company B, the Company A production sprang to life from the minds of the performers themselves.
“It’s very community-driven,” director Mark Mumm said of the development process.
Mumm said the troupe lost several weeks of in-person rehearsals owing to winter weather, but was able to pivot to online gatherings until the weather cleared.
Despite the inevitable chaos of getting shows ready for the stage — whether they’re put on by students, community theater groups or professional companies on Broadway — producer Cutler predicted that when the curtain goes up, everything will be ready to go.
“Somehow, it all comes together,” she said.
ArtStream was founded in Maryland in 2005 to provide creative outlets for adults with intellectual and developmental challenges. It later expanded to Northern Virginia and is adding operations in D.C. next month.
Northern Virginia productions have been held at a number of venues over the years, including Synetic Theater, Gunston Arts Center and H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program in Arlington, and the Nannie Lee Community Center in Alexandria.
For 2026, the James Lee center, operated by the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, is hosting.
“It has been great here,” Cutler said. “We’d love to have a permanent home here.”
The organization’s spring 2020 Northern Virginia shows were canceled as COVID-19 cases surged in the local area. A year later, ArtStream presented online performances with a special screening at an Alexandria drive-in theater.
When the pandemic ebbed, in-person shows resumed.
ArtStream’s spring performances will take place Friday, April 10 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 11 at 2:30 p.m. at James Lee Community Center.
Tickets are by donation ($10 minimum suggested) and should be purchased in advance, as the shows are likely to sell out. Information and tickets can be obtained online.
