Playwright Peter Simon Hilton, director Allie Babich, and music director Christopher Seiler sat down at the newest downtown Staunton restaurant, Sama-Sama International Cuisine, to talk sea shanties, found-object instruments, and real pirate history versus pop-culture lore. Find out why the Blackfriars Playhouse feels like the perfect wooden “ship” for The Pirate Ballad of Bonny & Read.

DC Theatre Arts recently praised the production’s energy and inventiveness, and this behind-the-scenes conversation offers a closer look at how that magic came together. (Read the review now.)

If you’ve ever wondered how a new play finds its voice or how many instruments you can discover in ASC’s backstage storage, this is your peek behind the sails.

Watch the Behind the Blackfriars Video 

Make a Trip to Staunton This Weekend

Before or after your visit to the Blackfriars Playhouse, treat yourself to a stop at Sama-Sama International Cuisine — the restaurant where our creative team filmed this conversation, and one of Downtown Staunton’s most delicious hangouts.

Their menu is built on globally inspired comfort with a fresh, modern twist. A few standouts from the table:

• Roasted Beet Salad – A vibrant mix of red and golden beets, kale, pralines, goat cheese, and a bright vinaigrette — as colorful as it looks in the photos.

• Gnocchi with Tuscan Butter – Soft, pillowy potato gnocchi tossed in a rich Tuscan butter sauce layered with sundried tomatoes, garlic, broth, and cream, finished with basil, spinach, and parmesan. Pure comfort.

• Jerk Tofu Salad – Tofu marinated in jerk seasoning, paired with romaine, cucumber, tomato, and a honey-lime vinaigrette — a perfect balance of heat and citrus.

And that’s just a taste. You’ll find Sama Sama at 101 W. Beverley Street, right in the heart of downtown, just steps from local shops, galleries, and of course the Blackfriars Playhouse.

Come see The Pirate Ballad of Bonny & Read this weekend, enjoy a great meal, and make it a full Staunton evening: good food, a walk through a beautiful historic downtown, and unforgettable theatre under shared light.

If this weekend doesn’t fit your schedule, A Christmas Carol is on sale now and opens the first week of December — the perfect start to your holiday season.