Francine Schwartz

Review: ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’ at Fells Point Corner Theatre

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, a challenging and much-loved absurdist tragicomedy by Tom Stoppard, has had long runs and featured many famous actors. Fells Point Corner Theatre’s ambitious...

‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” at Walt Whitman High School

Whitman Drama’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (school edition) is a superb production that demonstrates the strength and ambition of the Whitman High School Theatre program. An...

Meet the Chief Organizer of ‘Singer’s Glen’: Bruce Cohen

Singer’s Glen is a wonderful project which introduces many musical groups to local audiences in a comfortable and social environment. This is a non-profit venture initiated by Bruce Cohen, with the...

‘Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival’ at Wolf Trap

There was a lovefest last night at Wolf Trap with the traveling Hawaiian Slack Guitar performance in front of a full-house of aficionados many of whom could sing along in Hawaiian due to their...

‘Flyin’ West’ at Bowie Community Theatre

An exceptional and powerful production of Pearl Cleage‘s Flyin’ West, is being presented by Bowie Community Theatre. Director Estelle Miller receives top-notch performances from each of her cast...

‘Slow Falling Bird’ at Georgetown University

The final production of the 2014-2015 Georgetown University Theatre season is Slow Falling Bird, as part of the 2014-15 Georgetown University Theater & Performance Studies Program’s “Where We’re From:...

‘Big Fish’ at Act Two @ Levine

Big Fish is a production of the Pre-Professional Program at the Act Two @ Levine, derived and adapted from the Broadway production with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and a book by John August....

‘Rashomon’ at American University

The stunning production of Rashomon, directed and adapted by Randy Baker at American University, is set at the City Gate to Kyoto, a court of law, and in a grove in the forest, circa 1100 AD. This...

National Philharmonic: Brian Ganz Plays Chopin at Strathmore

Brian Ganz is continuing to complete his performances, and ultimately, recording of “ever single note Chopin composed.” The Ganz Project is expected to take ten years as Chopin’s ouevra contains at...

The Canellakis-Brown Duo at The Barns at Wolf Trap

Chamber Music at The Barns at Wolf Trap is a special treat for those of us who remember what music appreciation used to imply before enormous venues and well-dressed audiences prevailed. An intimate...

‘Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge’ at Silver Spring Stage

Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge is an alternative to the usual uplifting Christmas stories playing during the holiday season, and Silver Spring Stage has staged an outrageous production....

‘It’s a Wonderful Life: Live from WVL Radio Theatre’ at Black Rock Center for the Arts

On Saturday night Germantown’s Black Rock Center for the Arts presented a straight shot of Christmas joy – the touring production of Immediate Theatre Project‘s Live From WVL Radio Theatre: It’s a...

‘Menopause The Musical’ at The Warner Theatre

If a musical about not being able to the pay the rent or a plant that eats people can make it big, a musical about Menopause is following in a great tradition. It’s long run demonstrates it’s enduring...

‘Rumors’ at Providence Players of Fairfax

Rumors is Neil Simon’s first farce and The Providence Players of Fairfax wring every possible laugh out of it. The zingers fly everywhere, and Director Liz Mykietyn and her hilarious and hard-working...

‘Brother Hal’ at Lumina Studio Theatre

I was so impressed by Lumina Studio Theatre’s Brother Hal, adapted from Shakespeare’s Henry V by David Minton and Jamie Raskin, which was performed on Sunday, May 4th at Round House Theatre in Silver...

‘Mark Twain Tonight!’ at The National Theatre

Let’s be honest-this performance is legendary and Hal Holbrook’s performance as Twain is one for the ages! What an honor it was to be in his presence. And for two hours he had me and the audience in...

Josh Turner Punching Bag Tour with Ruthie & the Wranglers at Strathmore by Francine Schwartz

Josh Turner, a “little bit of country” and a lot of rock and roll, played Friday night at The Music Center at Strathmore. A full house of excited fans filled the Strathmore for a lively concert that...

‘Etiology’ at The Catholic University of America by Francine Schwartz

The Catholic University of America’s Department of Drama presented a very moving production of Etiology, a new play – an M.F.A. playwriting thesis – written by Teri Gillmor. The passionate production...

‘International Guitar Night’ Featuring: Brian Gore, Italy’s Pino Forastiere, Mike Dawes from England, and Quique Sinesi from Argentina at The Barns at Wolf Trap by Francine Schwartz

The Barns at Wolf Trap had a full house on Thursday nightt, bringing 2014’s International Guitar Night for a return engagement. This year’s tour featured Brian Gore from Santa Cruz, Italy’s Pino...

Nellie McKay at the Mansion at Strathmore by Francine Schwartz

As a part of a new series, Say It With Song, Nellie McKay sold out the first of two evening events at the atmospheric Mansion at Strathmore on Thursday, January 9th. She is a prolific jazz singer and...

‘A Tribute to the Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein & Andrew Lloyd Webber’ at Reston Community Players by Francine Schwartz

The Reston Community Players opened their 47th season with a rousing and well-conceived juxtaposition of iconic songs from the well-loved musicals of Rodgers & Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The...

‘Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show’ at Strathmore by Francine Schwartz

Last night at the Strathmore the Rat Pack rose again. Sandy Hackett, the son of legendary comedian Buddy Hacket, played Joey Bishop, Tom Wallek was Dean Martin, Louie Velez, played Sammy Davis, Jr....

NSO Pops: Wayne Shorter 80th Birthday Celebration with the Wayne Shorter Quartet and Esperanza Spalding by Francine Schwartz

Wayne Shorter, his Quartet, and vocalist Esperanza Spalding appeared last night in another sold-out concert at The Kennedy Center. There was a new work that was commissioned from Wayne Shorter, as...

Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition Finals & All-Star Gala Concert at The Kennedy Center by Francine Schwartz

On Monday, September 16, 2013, the Finals of this year’s Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition took place at The Kennedy Center. This famous event is not only an opportunity to hear some of...

‘Come Blow Your Horn’ at The American Century Theater by Francine Schwartz

The American Century Theater (TACT) has an ambitious portfolio of theater performances, defined by their mission statement as presenting the classics of the 20th Century. The last play I reviewed here...

Capital Fringe Review: ‘The Politician’ by Francine Schwartz

The Politician is a satire poking fun at the politicians and media circus of Washington. A follow-up to The Pundit, last year’s Capital Fringe hit, it revolves around an escalating clash between a...

‘The 49th Annual Music Hall’ at The British Players by Francine Schwartz

On Saturday, June 23, 2013, I enjoyed a rousing good time at The British Players‘ Music Hall, the 49th anniversary of a popular event frequented by expatriates and former inhabitants of the British...

‘Twentieth Century’ at The Little Theatre of Alexandria by Francine Schwartz

The Little Theatre of Alexandria presents a fast-moving production of Twentieth Century by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, and adapted by DC’s own Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor). It’s a screwball...

‘The Embroidery Girl’ at The Kennedy Center by Francine Schwartz

Last night the Kennedy Center Opera House hosted The Embroidery Girl, undertaken by the China Wuxi Performing Arts Group, and the Agis Center for Arts and Humanities. There was a substantial turnout...

18th Annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival at The Kennedy Center by Francine Schwartz

Dee Dee Bridgewater, the host of NPR’s award winning weekly syndicated show, JazzSet, was the celebrant of the 18th Annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center Terrace...

Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys at Hylton Performing Arts Center by Francine Schwartz

On Saturday, May 4, 2013 the Hylton Performing Arts Center of Manassas 3rd Anniversary Gala once again welcomed one of American music’s greatest Bluegrass legends, Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch...

’26th Annual Evening of Comedy’ at The Barns of Wolf Trap by Francine Schwartz

Jimmie Walker, well known for his claim to be “Dyn-o-mite” moderated the 26th Annual Evening of Comedy at The Barns of Wolf Trap on Friday night. He is most famous for TV series Good Times, which...

‘Of Mice and Men’ at The Acting Company at George Mason University by Francine Schwartz

The Acting Company presented a powerful and heartbreaking production of John Steinbeck’s 1937 play Of Mice and Men at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts on Sunday, April 28th. The...

‘Six Degrees of Separation’ at Port City Playhouse by Francine Schwartz

John Guare’s award-winning Six Degrees of Separation was a tremendously successful Broadway play, eventually made into a movie, which played out the notion that all people are connected, and the...

Gretchen Parlato at WPAS at the 6th and I Synagogue by Francine Schwartz

Gretchen Parlato, winner of the 2004 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition, has toured internationally with her own band and as a guest of many world-renowned artists; notable...

Carousel at Act Two @ Levine by Francine Schwartz

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Tony Award-winning Carousel is one of the most celebrated and longest running musicals in history. The production by Act Two@Levine was a good choice, providing many parts...

Walnut Street’s ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ at George Mason U’s Center for the Arts by Francine Schwartz

Walnut Street Theatre’s Independence Studio brought audiences at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts a fast-paced adaptation of Jules Verne’s masterpiece Around the World in 80 Days this...

‘Brian Ganz Chopin Project’ at The Music Center at Strathmore by Francine Schwartz

Saturday night at The Music Center at Strathmore, Brian Ganz continued his quest to play, and to record, “every single note Chopin composed.” The Ganz Project, of which this is the third installment...

‘The Bald Soprano’ at The Nomadic Theatre at Georgetown University by Francine Schwartz

The Nomadic Theatre’s production of The Bald Soprano by Eugène Ionesca is a very funny play and a wonderful production. Lorrie Damerau’s surrealistic set consists of a frieze of over 50 teacups, a...

National Philharmonic with Victoria Chiang and Nurit Bar-Joseph at Strathmore by Francine Schwartz

On Sunday, January 6, 2013, The Music Center at Strathmore presented the second of two concerts by the National Philharmonic, conducted by Piotr Gajewski. Featured were violist Victoria Chiang and...

Nnenna Freelon at The KC Jazz Club at The Kennedy Center by Francine Schwartz

The KC Jazz Club featured Nnenna Freelon in their cabaret style venue last night. Those of you who attended the Thelonius Monk Competion in September, also at The Kennedy Center, surely recall her...

‘How I Paid for College’ at The Hub Theatre by Francine Schwartz

The Hub Theatre should be the first stop in a long run for How I Paid for College – a ‘monologsical’ written by Marc Acito, based on his award-winning novel of the same name, and starring Alex...

‘Luck Be a Lady: Megan Hilty Sings Sinatra and More’ by Francine Schwartz

One can never have too much Joie de Vivre. Further proof was Luck Be a Lady: Megan Hilty Sings Sinatra and More, featuring Broadway’s Megan Hilty and Aaron Lazar. Megan has starred in Gentlemen Prefer...

Howard Levy with David Siebold at The Barns at Wolf Trap by Francine Schwartz

Friday night, The Barns at Wolf Trap hosted multiple Grammy Award winner, an acknowledged master of the diatonic harmonica. The man is a superb pianist, innovative composer, recording artist,...

‘Six Characters in Search of an Author’ at WSC Avant Bard by Francine Schwartz

Nobel Prize-winning playwright Luigi Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author opened WSC Avant Bard’s new season. The theatre is located in the Arisphere, in downtown Roslyn – two blocks...

‘Fortas Chamber Music Concert: Midori in Recital: 30th Anniversary Concert’ at The Kennedy Center by Francine Schwartz

Violinist Midori celebrated thirty years in music at The Kennedy Center by performing Beethoven Sonatas and works by Webern and Crumb. She was expertly accompanied by pianist Özgür Aydin. The duo are...

‘What I Did Last Summer’ at McLean Community Players by Francine Schwartz

McLean Community Players’ production of A.R. Gurney’s What I Did Last Summer is beautifully directed by Adriana Hardy, and is a showpiece for young actors whose ability to inhabit a collection of...

‘Far Away’ at Georgetown University by Francine Schwartz

‘War and Peace’ and it’s many manifestations has proven a fertile subject for film and theater. Far Away, a dystopian fable written by the famed British playwright Caryl Churchill, and beautifully...

‘Davis & Elkins College’s: A Gershwin Gala with Jack Gibbons, Piano at The Kennedy Center by Francine Schwartz

Davis & Elkins College presented British pianist Jack Gibbons in a “Gershwin Gala” concert in honor of the composer’s 114th birthday. The Sept 26, 2012 celebration, at The John F. Kennedy Center for...

‘Thelonious Monk International Jazz Drum Competition Finals and All-Star Gala Concert’ by Francine Schwartz

The sold out 2012 Thelonius Monk International Drum Competition, sponsored by Cadillac, United Airlines, Northrup Grumman and Centric TV, took place Sunday night at The Kennedy Center. With a large...