Caroline Simpson

Review: ‘Unnecessary Farce’ at McLean Community Players

Misunderstandings? Check. Discarded clothing and sexual innuendos? Check. A ridiculous number of doorways? Check. An absurd plot that you feel compelled to see through to the end despite the high...

Review: ‘Innovations 2016’ at Ballet Theatre of Maryland

There could not be a more apt title for Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s current production than Innovations 2016. This performance of five original works is both timeless and fresh. From traditional...

Review: ‘Sleeping Beauty’ at Ballet Theatre of Maryland

So you think ballet is boring. Or maybe you’re a ballet fan but would rather see something “new” and “innovative” instead of one of the old classic standards. Perhaps you just feel like the story of...

‘Shrek The Musical’ at Reston Community Players

Reston Community Players’ production of Shrek The Musical (Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and Music by Jeanine Tesori) is just as fun as the movie it is based on, with the added bonus of...

The Women’s Voices Theater Festival: ‘No Spring Chicken’ at NextStop Theatre Company

NextStop Theatre Company’s contribution to the Women’s Voices Theater Festival is the extraordinary No Spring Chicken, written and performed by Ginna Hoben and directed by Sullivan Canaday White. This...

‘The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) at Damascus Theatre Company in Partnership with The City of Gaithersburg

“You walk into a show and hope you don’t fall asleep watching the plot. You walk into a show and find you’re watching the same plot a lot. So many points of view, though. Couldn’t they write a new...

‘Laughing Stock’ at The Little Theatre of Alexandria

Even if you aren’t acquainted with any of the actors in the play, or if you have ever been involved with a theatrical production anywhere, you’ll recognize some old friends when you go see Little...

2015 Capital Fringe Review: ‘Roger (Not His Real Name)’

Did you know that Edward Snowden actually worked for NASA, not the NSA (the misunderstanding stems from a typo in a Washington Post article)? How about the fact that the Cold War was actually caused...

‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’ at Montgomery College’s Summer Dinner Theatre

As promised by the lead character, Pseudolus (Gregory Atkin), there is indeed “something for everyone” at Montgomery College’s Summer Dinner Theatre production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to...

‘The Good Counselor’ at 1st Stage

“You will never know the truth of my life,” says Rita Heffernon (Deidra LaWan Starnes) to her son, Vincent (Manu Kumasi), in a moment of heart-wrenching honesty. “Children never know.” The Good...

‘Once on This Island’ at Creative Cauldron

Creative Cauldron’s production of Once on this Island (book and lyrics by Lynn Aherns and music by Stephen Flaherty) starts off with a bang. Well, to be more precise, a thunderclap. What follows is...

‘The No Rules Sketch Show’ at No Rules Theatre Company

In The No Rules Sketch Show, written by Ashley Nicole Black, Rick Foucheux, Michael Malarkey, Joe Mallon, Brian Sutow, and Gray West, there really are no rules. Everyone and everything is fair game to...

‘Incorruptible’ at Rooftop Productions by Caroline Simpson

“Their ideals are high, it’s just their overheads are higher!” They are an ordinary group of monks residing in the Abbey of Priseaux in Priseaux, France. It is the Year of Our Lord 1250. And they are...