Julia Amis

Review: ‘Mamma Mia!’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents Mamma Mia!, with music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus and book by Catherine Johnson, with some songs by Stig Andersson. Riverside...

Review: ‘The Phantom Tollbooth’ at Providence Players of Fairfax and The Young Hearts

Need a break from Christmas music? Providence Players of Fairfax and The Young Hearts’s production of The Phantom Tollbooth delivers all the joy of the holiday season without the jingle. Based on the...

Review: ‘Hansel and Gretel’ at Synetic Theater

Synetic Theater presents a imaginative re-telling of a beloved classic with their wordless production of Hansel and Gretel. Directed and choreographed by co-adaptors Tori Bertocci and Elena Velasco,...

Review: ‘Frosty the Snowman’ at Adventure Theatre MTC

Adventure Theatre MTC presents Frosty the Snowman, written by William Francis, with additional dialogue and lyrics Jason Schlafstein and Kenny Neal. Schlafstein also directs this production alongside...

Review: ‘On Golden Pond’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents Ernest Thompson’s On Golden Pond, directed by Sherri L. Edelen. Joyce Dewitt from ABC’s hit comedy Three’s Company and the renowned Joe Inscoe star as...

Review: ‘The Mistress Cycle’ at Creative Cauldron

Creative Cauldron presents The Mistress Cycle, with Book and Lyrics by Beth Blatt and Music by Jenny Giering. Matt Conner directs a cast of five women in this ambitious musical that, while an...

Review: ‘The Judicial Murder of Mrs. Surratt’ at Aldersgate Church Community Theater

Aldersgate Church Community Theater presents the world premiere of local playwright Rich Amada’s The Judicial Murder of Mrs. Surratt, an award-winning historical drama about one of the most famous...

Review: ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, with a book by Lawrence Kasha and David Landay, lyrics by Johnny Mercer, and music by Gene de Paul, including new...

Review: ‘Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents Some Enchanted Evening: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein, a gorgeous, glamorous revue that celebrates the works of two greats from the Golden Age...

Review: ‘Kaleidoscope’ at Creative Cauldron

Creative Cauldron presents Kaleidoscope, a “Bold New Works” ​World Premiere Musical with Music and Lyrics by Matt Conner and Book and Lyrics by Stephen Gregory Smith, who also co-direct the...

Review: ‘The Jungle Book’ at Imagination Stage

Imagination Stage presents The Jungle Book, based on the classic story by Rudyard Kipling and adapted for the stage by Greg Banks. Janet Stanford directs a small cast of five in this production who,...

Review: ‘Night at the Wax Museum’ at Encore Stage & Studio

Encore Stage and Studio presents Night at the Wax Museum, a play by Craig Sodaro. A company known for theater “by kids, for kids!,” Encore leads and encourages children who show interest and promise...

Review: ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

On December 4, 1956, four young performers found themselves participating in an impromptu jam session in the recording studio of Sun Records in Memphis, TN. Enjoying the early stages of their...

Review: ‘Elf The Musical JR.’ at Aldersgate Church Community Theater

We all know a person (or two, or twelve) who still have their Christmas lights up as we head into February. If you’re not quite ready to let go of the Christmas glow, then Aldersgate Church Community...

Review: ‘A Little Princess’ at Encore Stage & Studio

Growing up, one of my favorite books was Frances Hodgson Burnett’s A Little Princess, the story of an imaginative young heiress whose kindness and grace help navigate her through one of life’s...

Review: ‘A Christmas Story, The Musical’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents A Christmas Story, The Musical, with Book by Joseph Robinette and Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Based on the 1983 Warner Bros....

Review: ‘Oliver Twist’ at Creative Cauldron

Creative Cauldron presents Oliver Twist, an original adaptation based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel. Directors Laura Connors Hull and Ellen Selby and tailored this production for the performers of...

Review: ‘The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane’ at Imagination Stage By Julia Exline

Imagination Stage presents The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, a stage adaptation Kate DiCamillio’s award-winning novel. The story follows a china toy rabbit through the era of America’s Great...

Review: ‘Fools’ at Aldersgate Church Community Theater

Aldersgate Church Community Theater presents Neil Simon’s Fools, the comedic tongue-in-cheek fable that became a hit in spite of itself. Popular theory contends that Simon, who wrote this play as a...

Review: ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents Alfred Uhry’s beloved classic Driving Miss Daisy, starring Karen Grassle and directed by Rick Hammerly. Lauded as one of the finest American stories...

Review: ‘Oklahoma!’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

When Riverside Center Dinner Theater opened in 1998, their first show was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, known then (and still) as the Great American Musical. As Riverside Center nears its...

Review: Matt Nathanson and Phillip Phillips at Wolf Trap

A few years ago, I asked to review Gavin Degraw at Wolf Trap. I had loved his music for years, and was anxiously awaiting his turn for the stage when his co-headliner, a man named Matt Nathanson – who...

Review: ‘Seth MacFarlane and The Great American Songbook’ with NSO at Wolf Trap

Like many people my age, I’ve been a fan of Seth MacFarlane’s work for some time. Creator of hugely successful shows Family Guy and American Dad!, his list of accolades is impressive– and exhaustive!...

Review: ‘Mary Poppins’ at Encore Stage & Studio

Encore Stage and Studio presents Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, with original music and lyrics by Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman and Book by Julian Fellowes, and new songs and...

Review: ‘The Dixie Swim Club’ at Aldersgate Church Community Theater

Aldersgate Church Community Theater presents The Dixie Swim Club, a Jones Hope Wooten comedy directed by Eddie Page. Following the bond of five southern women over the span of three decades, this...

Review: National Symphony Orchestra: Dreamworks Animation in Concert at Wolf Trap

After reviewing productions for a number of years, a “critic” like myself can usually come to rely on certain venues for consistent, professional entertainment. Wolf Trap is a spectacular venue and I...

Review: ‘The Little Mermaid’ at Imagination Stage

Imagination Stage, in collaboration with The Washington Ballet, presents the world premiere of The Little Mermaid. This creative partnership follows the highly acclaimed award-winning production The...

Review: ‘The History Boys’ at The Little Theatre of Alexandria

The Little Theatre of Alexandria presents Alan Bennett’s Tony Award-winning The History Boys. Frank D. Shutts ll directs a talented cast in this rich production. Utilizing thousands of literary...

Review: ‘The Wind in the Willows’ at Creative Cauldron

Creative Caldron presents The Wind in the Willows, an original reimagining of Kenneth Grahame’s beloved classic. Directors Ellen Selby and Denise Perrino adapted this production for the performers of...

Review: ‘Twelfth Night’ at Encore Stage & Studio

Encore Stage & Studio; theatre by kids, for kids, presents a youthful revision of Twelfth Night. Adapted especially for Encore by Caroline Schreiber and Elizabeth Pringle, this beachy twist is a great...

Review: ‘Caroline, or Change’ at Creative Cauldron

Creative Cauldron presents the Tony Award-winning Caroline, or Change, with book and lyrics by Tony Kushner and music by Jeanine Tesori. Director Matt Conner leads a dynamic cast for this powerful...

Review: ‘My Fair Lady’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

The Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents My Fair Lady, with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. Director Patrick A’Hearn assembles a superb ensemble for this...

Review: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at The Puppet Company

The Puppet Company presents Beauty and the Beast, with script by Terry Snyder and adapted for the Puppet Co. by Eric Brooks and Ora Fruchter. This production is a winner of a Citation of Excellence...

Review: ‘The Dancing Princesses’ at Creative Cauldron

Creative Cauldron presents The Dancing Princesses, a Learning Theater production adapted by Ellen Selby and Laura Connors Hull, with music by Matt Conner and lyrics by Matt Conner and Stephen Gregory...

Review: ‘Ghostchasers’ at Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre

Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre presents Tim Kelly’s Ghostchasers. Directed by Kaitlin Kemp, this play is full of surprises– the first and biggest being that despite popular belief, this...

Review: ‘The Buddy Holly Story’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Like most people my age, before I prepared for this review, I knew that Buddy Holly was a famous singer from the 50’s who died young in a tragic plane crash, and that Weezer, a popular band with my...

Review: ‘Len Piper’s Pinocchio’ at The Puppet Company

The Puppet Co. presents Len Piper’s Pinocchio, an adaptation of the classic story of a wooden puppet’s adventurous quest to become a real, live boy! Inspired by the book of Carlo Collodi,...

Review: ‘Into the Woods, Jr.’ at Aldersgate Church Community Theater

Aldersgate Church Community Theater presents Into the Woods Jr., a condensed version of the Broadway musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine, and orchestrations by...

Review: ‘Snow White’ at Encore Stage & Studio

Encore Stage & Studio presents the beloved childhood tale Snow White, a musical adaption by Tim Kelly, with music and lyrics by Bill Francoeur. A company who produces shows “by kids, for kids,” Encore...

‘Savion Glover: DANCE HOLIDAY SPeCTaCULaR’ at GMU Center for the Arts

On December 19, 2015, preeminent tap choreographer Savion Glover presented his holiday concert DANCE HOLIDAY SPeCTaCULaR at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts. Known best for his Tony...

Vienna Boys Choir: ‘Christmas in Vienna’ at GMU’s Center for the Arts

On December 18, 2015, GMU Center for the Arts hosted the Vienna Boys Choir and their concert Christmas in Vienna. Acclaimed Conductor Bomi Kim leads twenty-three young boys; all between the ages of 10...

‘American Festival Pops Orchestra: Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season’ at GMU’s Center for the Arts

On December 12, 2015, American Festival Pops Orchestra presented Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts’ concert hall. Founder and Artistic Director Anthony...

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ at Castaways Youth Theatre

Castaways Youth Theatre presents It’s A Wonderful Life, Doug Rand’s fast-paced stage adaptation of the holiday classic. Julie Little directs a large cast of local youths in this production, and while...

‘Mame’ at Riverside Center Dinner Theater

Riverside Center Dinner Theater presents Mame, the musical sensation based on the novel by Patrick Dennis and the play Auntie Mame, by Lawrence and Lee. With the book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E....

‘Seussical the Musical’ at NextStop Theatre Company

NextStop Theatre Company presents Seussical the Musical, based on the beloved works of Dr. Seuss and co-conceived by Eric Idle, Stephen Flaherty (music and book), and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics and book)....

‘An Acoustic Evening with Eric Hutchinson’ at The Barns at Wolf Trap with Anya Marina

Last night, American singer/songwriter Eric Hutchinson performed live at The Barns at Wolf Trap, a beautifully rustic venue that I’ve come to love. In fact, I’ll admit I was not too familiar with...

‘Harvey’ at 1st Stage

1st Stage Theatre presents Harvey, Mary Chase’s 1945 Pulitzer Prize-winning comedic drama, directed by Michael Chamberlin. When a high-society family makes a desperate attempt to hide the eccentric...

‘Hansel & Gretel’ at Encore Stage & Studio

Encore Stage & Studio presents Hansel & Gretel, an adapted version of the classic story by The Brothers Grimm, with original music composed by Matthew Heap. Vera Morris’ gentler revision of this story...

‘Carrie the Musical’ at Dominion Stage

Just in time for Halloween, Dominion Stage presents Carrie the Musical, with music by Michael Gore, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and book by Lawrence D. Cohen. Based off Stephen King’s horror novel,...

‘The Miracle Worker’ at Aldersgate Church Community Theater

Aldersgate Church Community Theater presents William Gibson’s The Miracle Worker, directed by Eddie Page, and produced by Eddy Roger Parker and Shelagh Roberts. I’ve always loved this beautiful...