Sunday Books & Culture
This week’s reviews include Laudenbach Brewing, favorite local performances of 2024, and the North American Tour of “The Lion King’s” upcoming performances in Baltimore.
Sunday Books & Culture is Edited by Vanessa Sekinger
THE BEST MICROBREWERY OPENED BY A FORMER INSURANCE CLAIMS ADJUSTER IN STAFFORD COUNTY
Reviewed by Drew Gallagher
Laudenbach Brewing opened at 45 Centreport Parkway, Suite 101, in Stafford just in time to save me from driving into a bridge abutment as I was heading home from Pennsylvania in typical Sunday afternoon traffic on I-95. The ride was tedious, and the only way to break the unending sea of red brake lights was to get off 95 and sample a Cled’s Red Ale at the newly opened Laudenbach Brewing. The short stop in this empty warehouse, convincingly turned German beer garden, reminded me that I had a wife and children who I love very much, and the world still has good beer which I also love very much. I took a growler home (and fought the urge to open it on the ride home) and the skies opened up and hark, the herald angels did sing.
Drew Gallagher is a freelance writer residing in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He is the second-most-prolific book reviewer and first video book reviewer in the 136-year history of the Free Lance-Star Newspaper. He aspires to be the second-most-prolific book reviewer in the history of FXBG Advance.
THE BEST PLAYS I SAW IN FREDERICKSBURG IN 2024
Fredericksburg Theatre Ensemble
University of Mary Washington Theatre

Reviewed by Dennis Wemm
This year it was tough to decide on favorites because I did not see a play that disappointed me or the audiences.
Congratulations to all the local companies.
I have to say I use some different standards for different groups: some are truly community based, one is a university, and one has just declared an intention to be considered a regional theatre for a wider audience. Each plays to different people. Which speaks best to the audience it’s intended for? This makes it a tough call.
Two productions provided experiences that were equally intense, challenging, and entertaining while dealing well with experience and skill levels of the performers, designers, and directors.
The Shawshank Redemption (Fredericksburg Theatre Ensemble) was based on the Stephen King story, adapted from the film script. This was a clearly staged, intense performance that in spite of the familiarity of the material had a distinct vision, a challenging performance style and design, and innovated the use of the 810 Caroline space. Which is still lacking in an elevator for movement challenged patrons (ahem).
The other, equally challenging and transformative, was 12 Angry Jurors at Klein Theatre by the UMW Theatre. Like Shawshank, it took familiar material and twisted its proverbial tail until it transformed into a different story while maintaining the same theme.
Both shows were great ensembles supported by excellent and imaginative staging. Both held their audiences enthralled for the length of their performance. Check out their shows for 2025 at their websites.
Dennis Wemm is a retired professor of theatre and communication, having taught and led both departments at Glenville State College for 34 years. In his off time he was president and sometimes Executive Director of the West Virginia Theatre Conference, secretary and president of the Southeastern Theatre Conference, and generally enjoyed a life in theatre.
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