Columns

A Lovefest for a Mensch – A Celebration of the Life of Marvin Hamlisch at Temple Emanu-El by Joel Markowitz

Yesterday, Marvin Hamlisch went out in a most deserved way – with a ‘sold out’ house – as a most appreciative and heartbroken group of family, fans, including myself – and colleagues, packed the same...

Joe Walsh at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

Joe Walsh did not need an opening act on August 13th. The guitarist is well known for his work in the James Gang, The Eagles and his solo work. The weather was wonderful at Wolf Trap and the audience...

Stage Dad: ‘The Art of Sacrifice That Olympic Athletes and Actors Know Well’ by Glenn Cook

Being the parent of a child actor comes with a learning curve that has the potential to throw your life into chaos at any point. If you’re not willing to endure the ebbs and flows that come with your...

‘Iron Cross’ at University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center by Mike Spain

Great music transcends language barriers. Saturday night I wished I understood Burmese when I went to University of Maryland to see Iron Cross. I know I would have enjoyed the show even more. Iron...

JUDYISMS: ‘What Not to Do When Auditioning!’ by Judy Stadt

When I think about the fact that I ACTUALLY DID THIS STUPID THING I absolutely want to strike myself upside the head with a pot and knock myself unconscious. So, I finally was able to land an audition...

Nibbles And Sips Around Town – ‘Interview With Top Chef Master Marcus Samuelsson’ by Jordan Wright

A child is seated on the grass in the Land of the Midnight Sun, his attention drawn downward by a clump of flowers. They are everywhere stretching across the rolling hillside as far as the eye can...

Director Homero Bayarena on Glyndon Area Players’ ‘Hairspray’ by Teresa McCormick Ertel

Glyndon Area Players is a community theater group known for going big, and this year it offers a stellar production of Hairspray, which is opening this Friday, August 10th. I am also the Assistant...

Ranting With Cyle: ‘On the Fringe After the Fringe’ by Cyle Durkee

Well, that was quite a Fringe! The revelry (drunkeness), the pageantry (drunkeness), and the ecstasy (there were several moments where I could have used some)!! I can’t wait for next year! I was truly...

Stage Dad: ‘A Better Dad Now’ by Glenn Cook

I became a better father when my dad died. It was five years ago this past week – a lifetime in many respects. Dad had been ill for some time, thanks to a slightly toxic gene pool that forced him to...

No Rules Theatre Company Moves to Signature Theatre’s ARK Theatre by Joel Markowitz

What great news! No Rules Theatre Company (NRTC) is relocating from H Street Playhouse to Signature Theatre, where they will perform in The Ark Theatre. This begins a 3-year partnership between the...

An Interview with Filmmaker Shawn Anthony by Teresa McCormick Ertel

Filmmaker Shawn Anthony is an accomplished illusionist, known as the “Post Modern Houdini.” He is also the creator of Vampires: Rise of the Fallen, a full-length feature film currently on location in...

Josh McKerrow on Directing ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at Reisterstown Theatre Project by Teresa McCormick Ertel

Shakespeare in the Park, as brought to the community by Reisterstown Theatre Project, has become a welcome summer staple in the area. This year, from July 27 through August 11th, RTP is offering is...

DC Theater Arts Reviews All 134 Capital Fringe Shows

Last night DC Theater Arts completed its goal of reviewing all 134 shows in The Capital Fringe Festival. It is a major accomplishment for our site and it coincided with the 5th month anniversary of...

Jackson Browne With Sara Watkins at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

It is rare to see the headliner introduce the opening act; however that is exactly what Jackson Browne did Monday night at Wolf Trap when he introduced Sara Watkins. Jackson Browne also sat in for her...

An Interview with Actor Sam Lukowski by Teresa McCormick Ertel

Up and Coming… Charismatic and talented local film actor Sam Lukowski, AKA ‘Spooky,’ is one of the hardest working performers in the local industry. With a penchant for thrillers, Sam is a chameleon...

John Tesh at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

John Tesh looks so natural fronting a band even if it is a 12-piece big band orchestra. His speaking voice and stage presence has been honed by many years of television and radio work. Fifty plus...

Nibbles and Sips Around Town: ‘Love Thy Neighbor and Their Beer’ by Jordan Wright

What’s more local than partnering with your neighbor? For the food trucks that visit Alexandria’s Port City Brewing Company, producer and neighbor Logan’s Sausage lends kitchen space close by the...

Erica Smith on her play ‘Come Out and Say It’ by Teresa McCormick Ertel

Each year The Mobtown Players selects an original work for production. This year playwright Erica Smith’s Come Out and Say It was chosen and is currently playing. The show was directed by Brent Englar...

An Interview with The Normal Heart’s Christopher J. Hanke by Joel Markowitz

Christopher J. Hanke is a member of the outstanding ensemble of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart, now playing at Arena Stage. I asked Christopher to talk about his role and working with his fellow...

‘Buddy Guy With Special Guest John Mayall’ at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

It is not often you get to see two living legends on one night. However, that is what happened on July 12, 2012 at Wolf Trap. British blues legend John Mayall opening up for blues legend Buddy Guy....

Stage Dad: ‘At This Performance the Role of Billy Will Be Played by Ben Cook’ by Glenn Cook

I still get nervous when I see my children perform. It’s almost a reflex, a parent’s prayer to a higher being that they will enjoy it, that they will do their best, that nothing will go wrong and, if...

Judyisms: ‘I Can’t Believe It!’ by Judy Stadt

You may have read in an earlier JUDYISM that my only real fear is being able to memorize lines, which has been the one and only difficult thing for me to overcome in this profession. Well, I won’t...

If I Could Only See 25 Shows at The Capital Fringe Festival… by Joel Markowitz

A friend called me yesterday and said, “I only have time to see 25 shows at this year’s Fringe, so what do you recommend?” After reading the wonderful Fringe Previews that Fringe participants...

‘The Music Man Kids’-Part Five: Meet Colin James Cech by Joel Markowitz

This is Part Five in a series of interviews with the very talented group of five young actors in the cast of Arena Stage’s production of The Music Man. Today – meet Colin James Cech. Thanks to Mia...

‘California Guitar Trio’ at All Saints Episcopal Church by Mike Spain

The sanctuary at All Saints Episcopal Church in Frederick, Maryland was once again turned into a concert hall for the amazing California Guitar Trio. It is the 11th time in 21 years that the ensemble...

Crosby, Stills & Nash at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

The crowded parking lot, the sold out Filene Center, and the standing ovation Crosby, Stills & Nash received just for walking out on the stage speaks volumes. The fact the crowd on the lawn stayed and...

Ali Hoxie on Playing Wendla in The Keegan Theatre’s ‘Spring Awakening’ by Joel Markowitz

This is Part 4 of my interviews with the cast of Spring Awakening at The Keegan Theatre. Joel: Why did you want to appear in Spring Awakening? Ali: Oh my God, why didn’t I want to?? I loved the show,...

‘The Music Man Kids’-Part Four: Meet Ian Berlin by Joel Markowitz

This is Part Four in a series of interviews with the very talented group of five young actors in the cast of Arena Stage’s production of The Music Man. Today – meet Ian Berlin. Joel: How old are you...

Michael Berresse on Playing Mickey Marcus in ‘The Normal Heart’ at Arena Stage by Joel Markowitz

When I received The Normal Heart press release from Arena Stage I was ecstatic to see that Michael Berresse was going to be in the cast. I have always admired Michael’s work. He is a magnificent and...

An Interview with Sleuth’s Bob Ari and Jeffries Thaiss by Joel Markowitz

Bob Ari and Jeffries Thaiss are having a blast performing in Sleuth. They fill us in about their roles and working with Artistic Director Jim Petosa in his final production at Olney Theatre Company....

‘Norah Jones’ at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

Norah Jones was returning to Wolf Trap for the first time in nine years and the Filene Center was sold out. Up-and-coming singer/songwriter Sasha Dobson had a generous 40-minute set. Sasha was a great...

Paul Scanlan on Playing Moritz in The Keegan Theatre’s ‘Spring Awakening’ by Joel Markowitz

This is Part 3 of my interviews with the cast of Spring Awakening at The Keegan Theatre. Paul Scanlan’s performance in Spring Awakening is astounding. When I attended the show I was in the front row...

Lyndsay Rini on Playing Anna in The Keegan Theatre’s ‘Spring Awakening’ by Joel Markowitz

In Part Two of my interviews with cast members of The Keegan Theatre’s Spring Awakening, Lyndsay Rini talks about playing Anna. Joel: Why did you want to appear in Spring Awakening? Lyndsay: I’ve...

Director and Choreographer Randy Skinner on Directing ‘Dames at Sea’ at Infinity Theatre Company by Joel Markowitz

When it was announced that Randy Skinner was coming to Infinity Theatre Company this summer to helm a new production of Dames at Sea – I jumped at the chance to talk to Randy about directing and...

Nibbles and Sips Around Town: ‘Fancy Food Show’ by Jordan Wright

With over 180,000 products from 80 countries and regions on display at this week’s Fancy Food Show in DC, even a veteran show-goer needs a game plan before navigating the packed convention floor....

‘Diana Krall’ at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

It was a hot, hazy, humid summer evening at Wolf Trap and Diana Krall and her special guest Denzal Sinclaire cooled the audience with their smooth jazz. Denzal is establishing himself as one of the...

Vincent Kempski on Playing Melchior in ‘Spring Awakening’ at The Keegan Theatre by Joel Markowitz

Vincent Kempski is wowing audiences in The Keegan Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Spring Awakening. Here he talks about the challenges of playing a rebel and working with Directors Mark...

‘Yoni Gras’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre by Mike Spain

Yoni Gras shows the Maryland Ensemble Theatre likes their music like their theatre productions daring. The event consisted of six independent bands over two nights and about six hours of music. The...

‘The Music Man Kids’: Part Two: Meet Jamie Goodson by Joel Markowitz

This is Part Two in a series of interviews with the very talented group of five young actors in the cast of Arena Stage’s production of The Music Man. Today – meet Jamie Goodson. Joel: You are 13...

Julianne Brienza on the 2012 Capital Fringe Festival by Joel Markowitz

As the 2012 Capital Fringe Festival is only 5 weeks away – July 12th to the 29th – I asked Executive Director Julianne Brienza to fill us in on what’s new and exciting in this year’s Festival. Joel:...

‘First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb at The Kennedy Center by Joel Markowitz

There’s enough ‘razzle dazzle’ and ‘all that jazz’ at First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb to satisfy any John Kander and Fred Ebb fan and all fans of musical theatre. The new Kennedy Center...

Stage Dad: ‘Ben Finally Plays Billy’ by Glenn Cook

Child actors face an inevitable reality – growing up. And that inevitable reality means they likely will be out of a job. Think about it: Have you ever wondered why people obviously in their 20s or...

Jessie Roberts on Directing ‘Next to Normal’ at Taking Flight Theatre Company

I was not expecting to direct Next to Normal now or any time soon when I was told about the opportunity with Taking Flight Theatre Company (TFT). Bobby McCoy, our Music Director, and I interviewed...

‘The Music Man Kids’: Part One: Meet Mia Alessandra Goodman by Joel Markowitz

This begins a series of interviews with the very talented group of five young actors in the cast of Arena Stage’s production of The Music Man. Today – meet Mia Alessandra Goodman. Joel: Why did you...

Nibbles and Sips Around Town: ‘Celeb Chefs Take the Town’ by Jordan Wright

Crystal City Gets Good Stuff A klieg-lit opening for Spike Mendelsohn’s Good Stuff Eatery in Crystal City brought out family, friends and TV crews earlier this month. Bravo’s film crew has been...

STAGE WRITE: Up-and-Coming: An Interview with Paul Davis Griffin by Teresa McCormick Ertel

Paul Davis Griffin is a versatile and up-and-coming local actor currently appearing in Mobtown Players not to be missed production of Bent, based around the persecution of gays in Hitler’s Germany....

An Interview With Tommy Tune who is Performing at Strathmore Today at 2 and 8 PM by Joel Markowitz

Today – Saturday, June 2nd at 2 and 8 PM, Broadway legend Tommy Tune returns to The Music Center at Strathmore with Steps in Time: A Broadway Biography in Song and Dance. I spoke with Tommy about the...

Stage Dad: ‘Four Kids: Four Stars’ by Glenn Cook

It’s still somewhat difficult to fathom that I’m the parent of a college student and, in a few months, three high school students. Somewhere along the line, I blinked, and they grew up. My son,...

A Look at No Rules Theatre Company’s ‘Suicide, Incorporated’ – Week 4 by Brian Sutow

Ahh, tech: the time in every actor’s life where everything else seems to stop. Dishes go undone, dirty laundry overflows in my hamper, and even this article gets written several days behind schedule....

A Short Chat With Charlie Brady Who’s Playing Sonny in ‘Xanadu’ at Signature Theatre by Joel Markowitz

Charlie Brady is playing the not-too-bright but energetic Sonny Malone in Signature Theatre’s production of Xanadu. I asked Charlie to talk about playing Sonny. Joel: How did you get involved in...