After the season opening production of Yasmina Reza's Art Sept. 17-Oct. 8, the Virginia Stage Company now opens its next presentation, Born Yesterday, Oct. 22-Nov. 12 in Norfolk. The play is a co-production with New York's Syracuse Stage.

Born Yesterday by Garson Kanin follows a very dirty dealing businessman who visits Washington to put money in some politicians' pockets. When his long-time fiancée proves to be a social embarrassment to him, he hires a newsreporter to teach her to be smart. But, as the reporter soon learns, she isn't as dumb as she seems, and he happens to fall in love with her.

The comedy enjoyed a healthy run of 1,642 performances in its initial run on Broadway back in 1946. Kanin was better known for writing the films "Adam's Rib" and "Pat and Mike."

The rest of the season at VA Stage includes Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol (Nov. 26-Dec. 24), Donald Marguiles' Dinner With Friends (Jan. 14 Feb. 4), Tom Dudzick's Over the Tavern (Feb. 18-March 11), and the musical revue Blues in the Night (March 25-April 15).

For tickets to shows at the VA Stage, call (757) 627-1234. Visit them online at www.vastage.com. -- by Ernio Hernandez