Columns

Ranting With Cyle: ‘Sounds of Silence’ by Cyle Durkee

Silence. Makes people…. Nervous. Which I find a bit odd. You would think that it would take the pressure off, right? We could all just not talk, and everyone should be fine with that (now replace...

‘Going Into the Woods’ at George Mason University: Part One: Director Ken Elston by Joel Markowitz

Director Ken Elston talks about his vision and introduces us to the cast and designers of George Mason University’s Department of Theater and School of Music‘s collaborative production of Stephen...

Mary Bridget Davies on playing Janis Joplin in ‘One Night With Janis Joplin’ at Arena Stage by Joel Markowitz

I could not believe what I was seeing and hearing when I attended One Night with Janis Joplin last week at Arena Stage. Mary Bridget Davies gives one of the most amazing performances I had ever seen...

Doing the Time Warp: Meet the Cast of Washington Savoyards’ “The Rocky Horror Show”: Part One: Autumn Seavy

In Part One of a series of interviews with the cast of Washington Savoyaards’ The Rocky Horror Show – we meet Autumn Seavey, who is playing Magenta. My name is Autumn Seavey, and since moving to the...

Nibbles And Sips Around Town: ‘Dining Before The Show – Great Deals From Great Restaurants’ by Jordan Wright

When friends ask me where to dine before the theatre I try to respond authoritatively. But, alas, my brain turns to porridge as I mentally scroll through the limitless options. I try to hone it down...

Meet the Young Cast Members of Olney Theatre Center’s ‘Over the Tavern’ – Part Four: Connor Aikin

Joel: This is the final interview in our series “Meet the Young Cast Members of Olney Theatre Center’s Over the Tavern.” We end today with the eldest son. Connor: I’m Connor Aikin and I’m 16 years...

Nibbles & Sips Around Town: Latin Fusion Sizzle, Cathal Armstrong & Mike Isabella Cooks Italian – Jersey Style

Nibbles And Sips Around Town – Latin Fusion Sizzle, Cathal Armstrong: The New American And Top Chef Mike Isabella Cooks Italian – Jersey Style Get Global Masa 14 has a special place in my heart....

Producer Larry Kaye on the Broadway-bound ‘The Velocity of Autumn,’ & Molly Smith’s Broadway Directorial Debut

It was announced today that Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons and Two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Spinells will be starring in Eric Coble’s new play The Velocity of Autumn and Arena Stage’s...

‘Filichia on Friday’: ‘Ben West is At Home Abroad’ by Peter Filichia

Here is Columnist Peter Filichia’s column on Kritzerland called ‘Filichia on Friday.’‘ This week: Ben West is at Home Abroad Peter Filichia is the author of Let’s Put on a Musical, now in its third...

Meet the Young Cast Members of Olney Theatre Center’s ‘Over the Tavern’ – Part Three: Christopher Cox

In Part 3 of 4 interviews with the young cast of Olney Theatre Center’s Over the Tavern – Christopher Cox talks about playing Georgie. I am Christopher Cox, and I am 15 years old. I began acting at...

‘Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart’ at The Music Center at Strathmore by Joel Markowitz

When you think you know someone, all of a sudden you are introduced to another side of that person you didn’t know about – and you are thrilled! That’s what happened last night when Broadway legend...

Meet the Young Cast of Olney Theatre Center’s ‘Over the Tavern’ – Part Two: Corrieanne Stein by Joel Markowitz

This is the second of four interviews with the young cast members of Olney Theatre Center’s Over the Tavern. Today, Corrieanne Stein tells us about playing the young sister in the Pazinski family....

Married to the Stage – Part 7: ‘Rowan and the Rose’ by Natalie McCabe

Being “married to the stage” is one thing when one partner is the actor and the other the bookish dramaturg, as is the case with Johnny and myself. It is quite another when both partners are...

Pat McGee Band with Special Guest Ari Hest at The Music Center at Strathmore by Mike Spain

The Washington area music scene was well represented at the Pat McGee Band concert at the The Music Center at Strathmore on Friday, September 29, 2012. Members from Edie from Ohio and The Potato...

The 2012 Barrymore Awards Announced by Joel Markowitz

With the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia dissolving this year, this year’s Barrymore Awards may be the final year for Philadelphia’s awards that honor excellence in theatre. I am hoping that...

‘Meet the Young Cast of Olney Theatre Center’s ‘Over The Tavern’: Part One: Noah Chiet by Joel Markowitz

In Part One of four interviews with the young cast members of Olney Theatre Center’s production of Over the Tavern, Noah Chiet talks about playing Rudy Pazinski – his first lead role in a local...

Bobby Smith on ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’ at MetroStage by Joel Markowitz

In Part Four of interviews with the cast of MetroStage’s Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Bobby Smith talks about performing in MetroStage’s production. Joel: Why did you want to be...

Director Jason Loewith on ‘Time Stands Still’ at Everyman Theatre by Joel Markowitz

Jason Loewith is directing the critically acclaimed production of Time Stands Still at Everyman Theatre. Jason talks about his vision for the production, and how his cast and design team brought his...

Bayla Whitten on ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’ by Joel Markowitz

In Part Three of interviews with the cast of MetroStage’s Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Bayla Whitten talks about performing in MetroStage’s production. Joel: Why did you want to...

Free Concert TONIGHT at 6 PM at Lincoln Center To Honor Composer Paul Scott Goodman

If you are in NYC, TONIGHT at 6 PM you are invited to attend a FREE concert honoring the work of Paul Scott Goodman (ROOMS: A Rock Romance; Bright Lights, Big City; Metropolitan Music; and Him & Her)...

Sam Ludwig on ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’ at MetroStage by Joel Markowitz

Here is an interview with Sam Ludwig in Part Two of interviews with the cast of MetroStage’s Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. Joel: Why did you want to be part of the MetroStage...

Nibbles and Sips Around Town: ‘Graffiti Goes Glam’ by Jordan Wright

What is so extraordinary about legendary graffiti artist Futura, neé Leonard McGurr, is that at a mere 57 years-old he has outlived so many others of his genre and generation and continued to triumph...

Natascia Diaz on ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’ at MetroStage by Joel Markowitz

Here is Part One of interviews with the cast of MetroStage’s Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. To begin our series, here is the chanteuse magnifique – Natascia Diaz! Joel: Why did...

The National Theatre Has New Management by Joel Markowitz

It’s my favorite place to see a musical. And my favorite seat is in the middle of the first row of the Mezzanine. There’s so much history flashing by me every time I sit in The National Theatre. I see...

Nibbles And Sips Around Town: ‘Kraut Rocks Competition and Brings Cool Cabbage Vibe To DC’ by Jordan Wright

Kraut Rocks is the hipster appellation promoters have conferred upon a sauerkraut competition involving five of DC area leading chefs. Steered by Bravo’s Top Chef alumni Spike Mendelsohn, the contest...

Joe Jackson at The Music Center at Strathmore by Mike Spain

Joe Jackson performed a seamless mix of Duke Ellington classics and Jackson’s own songs at Strathmore on Sunday night. He began his set solo walking out to his electric piano and playing a Duke...

Sinbad, Israel Houghton, & New Breed at The Patriot Center by Mike Spain

Grace Covenant Church showed Fairfax they know how to throw a celebration: have the Pastor emcee, invite the congregation, and open the doors to the public. Start the night off with a set of music...

A Tribute to Theatre Benefactor and Supporter Dr. Jaylee Mead

It’s a sad day for DC area theatre with the tragic news that Dr. Jaylee Mead died today of heart failure. Known for her big heart and love for the arts – Jaylee was everywhere. At most shows I...

‘Married to the Stage Can Be Stressful’ by Natalie McCabe

“Married to the Stage” can be stressful. Contrary to popular opinion, when both partners try to weave their careers around the trials and travesties that occur onstage, having a successful...

Karma Camp on ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ and Her Friend Marvin Hamlisch by Joel Markowitz

Karma Camp has choreographed so many shows at Signature Theatre that I have lost count. Each show she has worked on is filled with high-energy, elegance, and fun choreography. And in The Best Little...

35th Annual Kennedy Center Honorees Announced Today by Joel Markowitz

Buddy Guy, Dustin Hoffman, David Letterman, Ntalia Makarova, and Led Zeppelin to receive the 35th annual Kennedy Center Honors. What a wonderful group they selected this year! The John F. Kennedy...

Stage Dad: ‘Talking to Other Parents’: Part Three: ‘Parents Give Their Best Advice’ by Glenn Cook

Over the past two columns, I have written about what other parents have to say about raising a child in show business. We’ve looked at challenges they face and what they wished they had known. In this...

A Chat With Sutton Foster on Her George Mason University Concert on September 29th by Joel Markowitz

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Stepping In For An Insane Dentist & 7 Others: An Interview With Matthew Schleigh by Joel Markowitz

It’s not easy replacing a local theatre icon, having to play 8 kooky characters and trying not to become lunch for a man-eating plant puppet, but Matthew Schleigh successfully did them all it and the...

Nibble and Sips Around Town – September: ‘Destination McLean, Virginia’ by Jordan Wright

With umpteen restaurants opening in the DC Metro area of late one might be reluctant to venture to the outlying burbs. But I assure you this 25-minute hop from the center of town to this destination...

Stage Dad: ‘Talking to Other Parents’: Part Two: ‘What Other Parents Wish They Had Known’ by Glenn Cook

What Other Parents Wish They Had Known… One of my favorite television shows is Friday Night Lights, a beautifully written, small-scale drama that focuses on a small Texas town and its obsession with...

Stage Dad: ‘Talking to Other Parents’: Part One by Glenn Cook

Balance is something every parent wants. Vertigo is what we can get, if we allow it to happen. That’s true for all parents, but the juggling act that parents of child performers face is a constant...

2012-2013 Season Preview: An Interview with Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Michael Kahn by Joel Markowitz

Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Michael Kahn schmoozed with me about the exciting 2012-2013 season at STC. Joel: You have a very exciting schedule for 2012-2013. Michael: We are...

‘La-Ti-Do’ at Black Fox Lounge by Cyle Durkee

In one word: Amazing (I wish people would just trust me on that and go see it, but I also understand that I should probably let you know why {so here goes})! Ok, this is unique. La-Ti-Do (Monday...

‘The Fresh Beat Band’ at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

The Fresh Beat Band attracted a large crowd for a Tuesday afternoon show at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center. The weather was perfect with plenty of blue sky, seasonal temperatures, and no rain. The band...

Married to the Stage: ‘Human Chess Match’ by Natalie McCabe

My husband lives in an imaginary village. A shire, to be exact. He works in another century, too, and has for the past three years. Currently, he is living in the year 1590 in the 35-acre Shire of...

Judyisms: ‘When You Do Such a Good Job People Confuse You With the Character!’ by Judy Stadt

About 20 years ago I had the pleasure of playing the role of Madge Kendall in The Elephant Man. It was an amazing production at The Penguin Repertory Theatre, in Stony Point NY and I loved every...

Gia Mora’s ‘Sweethearts and Singletons’ at The Black Fox Lounge by Cyle Durkee

Are you a little nerdy (I certainly am)? Do you think the hottest thing about someone is their ability to discuss the almost science fiction levels of technology we are creating (shout out to the...

Ed Dixon performs TONIGHT at 8 PM at Signature Theatre’s Ark

TONIGHT at 8 PM, Helen Hayes Award recipient Ed Dixon will be performing at Signature Theatre’s ARK Theatre. Accompanied by Gabe Mangiante, Ed will present a compilation of stories from his...

Tonight at 8 PM: ‘La-Ti-Do’ With Joshua Morgan and Friends at The Black Lounge

TONIGHT AUGUST 27TH AT 8 PM At The Black Fox Lounge 1723 Connecticut Avenue Northwest Washington, DC 20009 $10 cover charge at the door. Doors open at 7:50pm for an 8pm start. Come check out Joshua...

Married to the Stage: ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ by Natalie McCabe

My husband moves better in high heels than I do. I came to this realization about a year before we were married, during our studies in the School of Theatre at Penn State University. My husband...

New Column: ‘Married to the Stage’ begins on DC Theater Arts by Natalie McCabe

“Honey, I don’t think I can go to the next level. I just don’t see myself going higher here.” “It’s okay, my love. I support you.” This was a conversation I had several weeks ago with my husband of...

Young Artists of America (YAA) Announces its 2012-2013 Season

Today, Young Artists of America (YAA) announced its 2012-2013 season. After an impressive season that included sold out performances of their VILLAINS! concert, a world-class premiere of THE PHANTOM...

Ranting With Cyle: ‘Come to the Cabaret’ by Cyle Durkee

Cabaret is a form of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre. It is mainly distinguished by the performance venue, a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances with the...

Nibbles and Sips Around Town: ‘The Occidental, Forever Young’ by Jordan Wright

In the shadow of the White House a special watering hole welcomes celebrities, power brokers and out-of-towners in equal measure. Occidental Grill and Seafood situated beside the Willard Hotel...