Joel Markowitz

DC Mega Hits ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ and ‘Come From Away’ Honored at The Tony Awards

DC Mega Hits Dear Evan Hansen and Come From Away were honored at last night’s Tony Awards. The shows had sold-out runs at Arena Stage and Ford’s Theatre. Dear Evan Hansen was victorious in six...

The 2017 Helen Hayes Awards Recipients to be Announced Tonight

Nominations for the 2017 Helen Hayes Awards Outstanding Choreography, Musical-Hayes Christopher d’Amboise, “Evita,” Olney Theatre Center Kelly Devine, “Come From Away,” Ford’s Theatre Parker Esse,...

Joel Markowitz’s Acceptance Speech Upon Receiving the Gary Maker Award

I am very honored to receive the Gary Maker Award, and I want to thank the committee for this incredible Lifetime Award. Gary Maker was such a mensch and he fought a dreadful disease with such courage...

DC Favorites ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ and ‘Come From Away’ Vie for Best Musical as the 2017 Tony Award Nominations Are Announced

DC Mega-hits Dear Evan Hansen and Come From Away, which wowed audiences during their sold out runs at Arena Stage and Ford’s Theatre, will be vying for Best Musical, as the 207 were Tony Award...

My Battle with ALS and My Interview on Fox 5 DC Which Aired Last Night

I was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) 2 months ago. Since then my world has been turned upside down. I have accepted the grim news that this is one battle I might not win because there is...

Review: Howard University’s Spring Dance Concert: ‘Unjust’

Every time I send a reviewer to Howard University to review a show they always have this reaction: “Oh My God!!” And there were many divine moments when I saw the final perfomance of Howard...

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘Pygmalion’ at The British Players: Part Four: Roger Stone

In a series of interviews with the cast of Pygmalion at The British Players, meet Roger Stone who plays Alfred Doolittle. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you...

Review: ‘Saturday Night Fever’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

There’s no doubt in my mind that all of the attendees at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts were there because of the 1977 film version of Saturday Night Fever: https://youtu.be/op5FxEs1aR0 and...

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘Pygmalion’ at The British Players: Part Three: Daniel Owen

In part three of a series of interviews with the cast of Pygmalion at The British Players, meet Daniel Owen who plays Professor Henry Higgins. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they...

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘Pygmalion’ at The British Players: Part Two: John Allnutt

In part two of a series of interviews with the cast of Pygmalion at The British Players, meet John Allnutt who plays Colonel Pickering. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may...

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘Pygmalion’ at The British Players: Part One: Jenn Robinson

In Part One of a series of interviews with the cast of Pygmalion at The British Players, meet Jenn Robinson. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform...

Meet the Cast of Greenbelt Arts Center’s ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’: Part Four: Christa Kronser, and Joey Rolandelli

In Part Four of a series of interviews with the cast of Greenbelt Arts Center’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, meet Christa Kronser (playing Olive Ostrovsky), and Joey Rolandelli (playing...

Update: Funeral Information: Local Theater and Restaurant Reviewer and Cable TV Host and Producer Rich Massabny Has Passed Away

Here is information on Rich Massabny’s funeral: Viewing: Wednesday, 2 to 4 and 6-8 pm Murphy’s Funeral Home -4200 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA Funeral Service: Thursday: 1 PM Murphy’s Funeral Home...

Review: ‘Grug & the Rainbow’ at The Kennedy Center’s Family Theater

A colorful story wowed the kids and their parents at today’s 1:30 PM performance of the Windmill Theatre Company of Australia’s Grug & the Rainbow, directed by Sam Haren, which ends its brief visit...

Review: ‘Cinderella: A Magical, Musical Tale’ at The American Pops Orchestra

This is what theater is all about and it was my dream when I started DCMetroTheaterArts 5 years ago-to see a venue filled with parents and kids laughing and clapping and having a great time together....

Review: ‘The Circle of Life: The Songs of Tim Rice’ at Young Artists of America

When you have over 100 talented musicians and singers filling the Strathmore stage, you know you are in for some great singing and playing from Young Artists of America. In a world premiere concert,...

Meet the Cast of Greenbelt Arts Center’s ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’: Part Three: Rachel Pino-Elliott and John Carter

In part two of a series of interviews with the cast of Greenbelt Arts Center’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, meet Rachel Pino-Elliott as Schwartzy and John Carter as Leaf Coneybear....

Meet the Cast: The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC’s ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.’ Part Three: Rinaldo Martinez

In Part Three of a series of interviews with the cast of The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC’s How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, meet Rinaldo Martinez who plays J. Pierrepont Finch....

Meet the Cast of The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC’s ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’ Part Two: Shawn Morris

In Part Two of a series of interviews with the cast of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, meet Shawn Morris. Please introduce yourself and tell our...

Review: ‘Avenue Q’ at Montgomery College

Well lately it has “sucked to be me” with new health challenges, the political climate ain’t pretty, and you-know-who has moved to DC, so I desperately needed me a dose of Avenue Q to clear the dark...

Meet the Cast: The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC’s ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.’ Part One: Michael Aylward

In a series of interviews with the cast of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s (GMCW) production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, meet Michael Aylward. Please introduce yourself...

Meet the Cast of Greenbelt Arts Center’s ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’: Part Two: Pamela Northrup and Jim Adams

In part two of a series of interviews with the cast of Greenbelt Arts Center’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, meet Pamela Northrup as Rona Lisa Peretti and Jim Adams as Vice Principal...

Meet the Cast of Greenbelt Arts Center’s ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’: Part One: Director Jeff Lesniak

In part one of a series of interviews with the cast of Greenbelt Arts Center’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, meet Director Jeffery Lesniak. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our...

Meet the Cast of Olney Theatre Center’s ‘Sweeney Todd’: Part Three: Frank Viveros (Pirelli)

In Part Three of a series of interviews with the cast of Sweeney Todd at Olney Theatre Center, meet Frank Viveros. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you on the...

Review: ‘Vive la France: The Magic of Saint-Saens’ at The National Chamber Ensemble

Love was in the air as The National Chamber Ensemble presented their Valentine’s Day performance called Vive la France: The Magic of Saint-Saens. The concert was described as: Celebrate Valentine’s...

Meet the Cast of Olney Theatre Center’s ‘Sweeney Todd’: Part Two: E. Faye Butler (Mrs. Lovett)

In Part Two of series of interviews with the cast of Sweeney Todd at Olney Theatre Center, meet E. Faye Butler. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you on the...

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘Two Rooms’ at Kensington Arts Theatre: Part 2: Sandra Cox True.

In part two of a series of interviews with the cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s Two Rooms, meet Sandra Cox True. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on...

Meet the Cast of ‘Two Rooms’ at Kensington Arts Theatre: Part One: Sean Dynan

In Part One of a series of interviews with the cast of Two Rooms at Kensington Arts Theatre, meet Sean Dynan. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on the...

Meet the Cast of ‘The Miracle Worker’ at Rockville Little Theatre. Part 5: Heather Andrews

In a series of interviews with the cast of The Miracle Worker at Rockville Little Theatre, meet Heather Andrews. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you...

Here are the 2017 Helen Hayes Award Nominations

Here are the 2017 Helen Hayes Nominations: Outstanding Choreography, Musical-Hayes Christopher d’Amboise, Evita, Olney Theatre Center Kelly Devine, Come From Away, Ford’s Theatre Parker Esse,...

Local Actress Leta Hall Has Passed Away. Here Are Reflections From Her Friends and Colleagues

A memorial service for Leta Hall will take place on Saturday, February 4, 2017, at 11 AM at Grace Episcopal Church – 1607 Grace Church Road, in Silver Spring, MD 20910. The phone number is (301)...

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘The Miracle Worker’ at Rockville Little Theatre. Part 3: Brian Lyons-Burke

In Part Three of a series of interviews with the cast of Rockville Little Theatre’s The Miracle Worker, meet Brian Lyons-Burke. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen...

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘The Miracle Worker’ at Rockville Little Theatre. Part 4: Jordan Clifford

In part four of a series of interviews with the cast of Rockville Little Theatre’s The Miracle Worker, meet Jordan Clifford. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you...

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘The Miracle Worker’ at Rockville Little Theatre. Part 2: Lena Winter

In Part 2 of the series of interviews with the cast of Rockville Little Theatre’s The Miracle Worker, meet Lena Winter. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you...

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘The Miracle Worker’ at Rockville Little Theatre. Part 1: Meredith Abramson

In a series of interviews with the cast of Rockville Little Theatre’s The Miracle Worker, meet Meredith Abramson: Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you...

Meet the Cast of Olney Theatre Center’s ‘Sweeney Todd’: Part One: David Benoit (Sweeney Todd)

I was so thrilled when Olney Theatre Center announced that David Benoit and E. Faye Butler were cast as Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett in their new production of the iconic pie-filled Tony Award-winning...

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘Loves and Hours’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse. Part 9: Juliet Beach

In part nine of a series of interviews with the cast of Loves and Hours at Laurel Mill Playhouse, meet Juliet Beach. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you...

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘Loves and Hours’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse. Part 8: Penni Barnett

In part eight of a series of interviews with the cast of Loves and Hours at Laurel Mill Playhouse, meet Penni Barnett. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you...

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘Loves and Hours’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse. Part 7: Gage Warren

In part seven of a series of interviews with the cast of Loves and Hours at Laurel Mill Playhouse, meet Gage Warren. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform...

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘Loves and Hours’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse. Part 6: Jen Sizer

In part six of a series of interviews with the cast of Loves and Hours at Laurel Mill Playhouse, meet Jen Sizer. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on...

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘Loves and Hours’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse. Part 5: Heather Warren

In part five of a series of interviews with the cast of Loves and Hours, meet Heather Warren. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on the stage before....

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘Loves and Hours’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse. Part 4: Taylor Duvall

In part four of a series of interviews with the cast of Loves and Hours, meet Taylor Duvall. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on the stage before....

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘Loves and Hours’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse. Part 3: John Dignam

In Part 3 of a series of interviews with the cast of Loves and Hours, meet John Dignam. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on the stage before....

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘Loves and Hours’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse. Part 2: Terri Laurino

In Part Two of a series of interviews with the cast of Loves and Hours at Laurel Mill Playhouse, meet Terri Laurino. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you...

Interview: Meet the Cast of ‘Loves and Hours’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse. Part 1: Alan Barnett

In part one of a series of interviews with the cast of Loves and Hours at Laurel Mill Playhouse, meet Alan Barnett. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform...

Here Are This Year’s WATCH AWARD Nominations

Announcement of Nominations 16th Annual Washington Area Theatre Community Honors THE WATCH AWARDS Nominations Announced January 15, 2017 – 7:30 pm at The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA Award Ceremony...

Meet the Cast of ‘The City of Conversation’ at Colonial Players of Annapolis. Part 3: Kathleen Ruttum

In part three of a series of interviews with the cast of Colonial Players of Annapolis’ The City of Conversation, meet Kathleen Ruttum. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where local...

Meet the Cast of ‘The City of Conversation’ at Colonial Players of Annapolis. Part 2: Rebecca Gift

In part two of a series of interviews with the cast of The City of Conversation meet Rebecca Gift. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where local audiences have seen you recently on...

Meet the Cast of ‘The City of Conversation’ at Colonial Players of Annapolis. Part 1: Josh Mooney

In part one of a series of interviews with the cast of Colonial Player’s of Annapolis’ The City of Conversation meet Josh Mooney. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where local...

A Tribute to Tricia Lynn McCauley

Everyone’s worst nightmare has occurred-missing local actress Tricia Lynn McCauley and Yoga Instructor had been found and she has passed away. Brian McCauley announced the sad news: Tricia is gone,...