Columns

Magic Time! Film Review: ‘Lovelace’ by John Stoltenberg

In 1972 some men made a film that did her wrong. Unspeakably and indelibly wrong. The film was named Deep Throat. Now some men—with two women producers—have made a film that does right by her. It’s...

Derek Tatum on Playing Don Kerr in Olney Theatre Center’s ‘A Chorus Line’ by Eric Denver and Joel Markowitz

The very talented Derek Tatum is a member of ‘the line’ in Olney Theatre Center’s production of the Tony Award-winning A Chorus Line. Derek takes us behind-the-scenes of his audition, rehearsals, and...

The Glyndon Area Players’ Production of ‘The King and I’ Features Actress From the 1984 Broadway Production by Teresa McCormick Ertel

The Glyndon Area Players has been a summer tradition for my family for many years, whether we are in the audience, onstage, or helping behind the scenes. G.A.P. has been entertaining Baltimore County...

Synesthesia: One-time-only ASL-Interpreted Performance of ‘The Resurrection of Alice’ by Yvonne French

South Carolina, 1949. Fifteen-year-old Alice is about to graduate from high school. When she was 7, her parents had promised her to a man who was old enough to be her grandfather, a little-known...

‘Much To Learn About’ Annapolis Shakespeare Company’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ Part 2: Alyssa Bouma (Hero) by Amanda Gunther

Speak low if you speak love, unless thy name be Shakespeare! Never one to leave love in the lurch, the comedies are ripe with them and Much Ado About Nothing is no exception. Annapolis Shakespeare...

Nibbles And Sips Around Town: Maketto at Hanoi House, Doukénie Winery, and Osteria Marzano by Jordan Wright

Maketto at Hanoi House Serves Its Street Food Indoors Erik Bruner-Yang decided to do a pop-up test kitchen in advance of Maketto, his open air market and retail store slated for Lord knows when, it...

‘Much To Learn About’ Annapolis Shakespeare Company’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ Part 1: Choreographer Ken Skrzesz

In Part One of a series of interviews with the cast, director, and designers of Annapolis Shakespeare Company’s Much Ado About Nothing, Choreographer Ken Skrzesz talks about working with Director...

Magic Time: ‘The Third Breast’ by John Stoltenberg

The Third Breast is a gritty play, produced by a gutsy company. The three actors are arresting; the music and visuals, appealing. But for some interesting reasons, the challenging script by Polish...

Magic Time!: ‘Holy Joseph Smith! Lessons Learned From The Book of Mormon’ by John Stoltenberg

The Book of Mormon… CONTAINS HERESY. That’s not a preshow advisory you’ll find posted at The Kennedy Center where The Book of Mormon is playing to standing-room houses. No, it’s my alert to you, dear...

Magic Time! ‘One Night in New York!’ by John Stoltenberg

The term “gay musical theater” is almost redundant, especially for countless closeted teens who found they could forget their troubles and get happy when they happened upon the uniquely American art...

Magic Time: Oscar Wilde’s Salomé at Scena Theatre by John Stoltenberg

There’s some wondrous strange stuff in the Bible, but for out and out bizarro it’s hard to top the tale of the king Herod’s pervy thing for his stepdaughter (Salomé) and his macabre beheading (upon...

‘Robert Plant Presents Sensational Space Shifters and Special Guest Bombino’ at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

Robert Plant stopped by Wolf Trap’s Filene Center on Monday night July 22, 2013. There was no album to promote, no Alison Krauss or Patty Griffin to share the vocals, and no superstars of Americana...

Synesthesia: ‘Performances, Tours, and More’ by Yvonne French

This is the first in a series of links that will be updated regularly. If you know of any other links on accessible arts, please put them in the comment box below. Accessible: Performances at The...

Synesthesia: ‘Sign-Interpreted Performances for July and August’ by Yvonne French

Synesthesia: Sign-Interpreted Performances for July and August by Yvonne French Thursday, July 25th Mandy Harvey Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center Sign-Interpreted and Captioned: Thursday, July...

A Chat with Julia Murney on ‘Wicked Divas’ at Wolf Trap on July 28, 2013

Julia Murney will be at Wolf Trap on Sunday, July 28th at 8:15 PM to perform Wicked Divas with Stephanie J. Block. and The National Symphony Orchestra. I asked Julia about what audiences will be...

The Charms Of Airlie House And The Castleton Festival – An Engaging Duet In The Countryside by Jordan Wright

It is with heavy heart that I divulge to my dear readers one of my secret pleasures – because not to share my latest adventures is anathema to my nature. But first I’ll tell of my history with a place...

Nibbles And Sips Around Town: La Tasca Gets A Culinary Facelift by Jordan Wright

Debuts and re-dos seem to be the thread of late. Restaurants in the DC Metro Area are opening and remixing at a astonishing rate no one could have imagined a few years ago. Forks up! La Tasca Gets A...

Synesthesia: Smithsonian Folklife Festival Is Accessible for People Who Have Disabilities by Yvonne French

Smithsonian Folklife Festival is Accessible for People Who Have Disabilities The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is accessible for people who: • are blind or have low-vision • are deaf or...

Ranting with Cyle: ‘Theatrical Community’ by Cyle Durkee

How do you know that it’s too early in the morning (on a Saturday, no less), and no one has gotten enough sleep (we all know that sleep is something that happens to people outside the arts)? You begin...

DC Area’s T. Scott Ross, Greg Bosworth, and Carrie A. Johnson on Appearing in ‘Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story’ at Wolf Trap on July 2nd & 3rd

Three local actors are in the cast of Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story which stops at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center tomorrow and Wednesday night. I asked T. Scott Ross, Greg Bosworth, and Carrie A. Johnson...

Edward Staudenmayer on Playing Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in ‘Anything Goes’ by Joel Markowitz

It didn’t surprise me when Edward Staudenmayer stopped the show with his outrageous performance of “The Gypsy in Me” (with Rachel York) in Anything Goes at The Kennedy Center. I have been a big fan of...

Synesthesia: Audio-Described Performance Set for ‘One Night with Janice Joplin’ at Arena Stage by Yvonne French

The Metropolitan Washington Ear, Inc., announced that it will provide audio description of One Night with Janis Joplin, back by popular demand after opening last fall. One Night with Janis Joplin is...

“From Broadway With Love: A Benefit Concert For Sandy Hook” To Air On Select Public Television Stations his July starring 300 Newtown Student Performers & Over 100 Broadway Performers

From Broadway With Love: A Benefit Concert For Sandy Hook To Air On Select Public Television Stations This July STARRING 300 NEWTOWN STUDENT PERFORMERS and OVER 100 BROADWAY PERFORMERS “From Broadway...

‘One Night with Janis Joplin’ Begins Performances on Broadway on 9/20 With Opening Night on 10/10 at The Lyceum

One Night with Janis Joplin is coming to Broadway and will begin previews at Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre – 149 West 45th Street – on Friday, September 20, 2013. Opening night is on Thursday, October 10,...

Composer George Fenton on ‘Frozen Planet’ at The NSO at Wolf Trap This Friday at 8:30 PM

This Friday, June 28th at 8:30 PM. Frozen Planet in Concert will turn The Filene Center at Wolf Trap into a wonderland of gorgeous images and sounds of The Arctic Circle. Composer George Fenton will...

Synesthesia: ‘Happy Imagining with Audio Description’ by Yvonne French

Sitting in the wings of many plays, operas, and musicals is a mysterious person known as the audio describer. Before the show begins, they start describing the scenery through a small transmitter....

Matthew Scott on Playing Bobby in Signature Theatre’s ‘Company’ by Joel Markowitz

Matthew Scott is wowing audiences and critics with his performance as Bobby in Signature Theatre’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Company. I am a big fan of Matthew’s and I was so delighted when I...

Randy Johnson on Writing and Directing ‘One Night with Janis Joplin’ at Arena Stage by Joel Markowitz

After a critically acclaimed run at Arena Stage last October One Night with Janis Joplin is back. I asked Director Randy Johnson about the new production about to open at Arena Stage an how the show...

DCMTA’s ‘Nibble and Sips’ Columnist Jordan Wright to Judge ‘Taste of Del Ray’ on Sunday

As the sole celebrity judge for this weekend’s Taste of Del Ray, I’m pondering how I’ll be able to select a winner from a slate of twelve very qualified competitors vying for just one trophy. A nicely...

The Lunch and Judy Show: ‘What Can I Do to Convince You?’ by Judy Stadt

I am the host and creator and writer and editor of The Lunch and Judy Show. For six years DCMTA’s Joel Markowitz and I have been schmoozing about theatre in DC, Philly, and NYC and other things…like...

Synesthesia: Accessible Museum Tours at American Museum of Natural History in New York City

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)-200 Central Park Avenue West, in New York City offers accessible tours that incorporate both verbal description and the opportunity to touch objects in...

James Konicek on Playing Sir Andrew in Folger Theatre’s ‘Twelfth Night’ by Joel Markowitz

I am a huge fan of James Konicek – his acting, singing, and ‘that voice.’ Audiences are loving James’ performance in Folger Theatre’s Twelfth Night. I asked James about Sir Andrew Aguecheek and his...

Synesthesia: In Sight and Sound: Live De(a)f Poetry II@ Anacostia Playhouse at Black Theatre Festival on 6/27@7

The 4th Annual DC Black Theatre Festival will present In Sight and Sound: Live De(a)f Poetry II. The unique use of the word “De(a)f” reflects that half of the artists will be deaf and that all of the...

The Lunch and Judy Show: ‘Am I As Good As She Is?’ by Judy Stadt

I am the host and creator and writer and editor of The Lunch and Judy Show. For six years DCMTA’s Joel Markowitz and I have been schmoozing about theatre in DC, Philly, and NYC and other things…like...

‘Synesthesia’: Scripts Due June 1 for VSA Playwright Discovery Competition by Yvonne French

Scripts due June 1 for Playwright Discovery Competition Middle and high school students are invited to explore the disability experience–-in their own life, the lives of others, or by creating...

Nibbles And Sips Around Town: ‘Lessons in Modern Japanese Dining’ by Jordan Wright

Following in my tried and true method of going to newly trendy restaurants at unfashionable hours, I had no problem getting into Daikaya, the wildly anticipated Japanese restaurant and bar with its...

DCMTA’s New Column ‘Synesthesia’: Kudos to WNO & The Kennedy Center for Captioning ‘Show Boat’ by Yvonne French

Show Boat at Nationals Park Featured Open Captioning M&M’S® Opera in the Outfield presented a captioned simulcast of The Washington National Opera‘s critically acclaimed production of Show Boatto...

DC Area’s Alyson Cambridge on Playing Julie in ‘Show Boat’ and Her Career by Joel Markowitz

Alyson Cambridge is appearing as Julie LaVerne in Washington National Opera’s critically acclaimed production of Show Boat. I asked Alyson about playing Julie in Show Boat in Chicago and DC, growing...

The Lunch and Judy Show: ‘M Is For the Many Things She Gave Me’ by Judy Stadt

I am the host and creator and writer and editor of The Lunch and Judy Show. For six years DCMTA’s Joel Markowitz and I have been schmoozing about theatre in DC, Philly, and NYC and other things…like...

Stage Dad: ‘So Long Billy! It’s Been Good to Know You!’ by Glenn Cook

No question, it’s time. I knew those words would come at some point, so it’s not a shock to the system, but I’m somewhat surprised by how much emotion accompanies them. Our son, Ben, is leaving Billy...

Theatre Lab’s Cast of ‘August: Osage County’ PT. 2: Andra Belknap, Ghislaine Dwarka, MC Harford & Lorrie Smith

The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts is presenting Tracy Lett’s 2008 Tony Award-winning play August: Osage County this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday – May 16th-18th. From Directors Deborah and...

Meet the Cast of Theatre Lab’s ‘August: Osage County’ Part 1: Dane Galloway, Tom Hamilton, & Steven Malone

The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts is presenting Tracy Lett’s 2008 Tony Award-winning play August: Osage County this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday – May 16th-18th. Co-Executive Director Buzz...

An interview with Baltimore Director Matt Porterfield of ‘I Used to be Darker’ @ MDFF by Teresa McCormick Ertel

I Used To Be Darker, talented filmmaker Matt Porterfield’s third feature film, is gaining attention and will be screened at the Maryland Film Festival tomorrow at 8 PM and Sunday at 3 PM. Following...

The Lunch and Judy Show: ‘The Art of Aging in America’ by Judy Stadt

I am the host and creator and writer and editor of The Lunch and Judy Show. For six years DCMTA’s Joel Markowitz and I have been schmoozing about theatre in DC, Philly, and NYC and other things…like...

Anne Kanengeiser on Playing Janna in ‘The Personal(s)’ at No Rules Theatre Company by Joel Markowitz

There are some performances that you just never forget and Anne Kanengeiser’s performance as Fosca in Signature Theatre’s Passion in 1996 is one I will always remember and cherish, so I was thrilled...

Brian Childers on “An Evening With Danny Kaye’ Tonight at The American Century Theater Benefit at Artisphere

In 2002, Brian Childers wowed DC area audiences with his spot-on and high-energy performance as Danny Kaye in Danny and Sylvia: A Musical Love Story, first at The American Century Theatre (TACT) and...

An Interview With Maryland Film Festival’s Eric Hatch by Teresa McCormick Ertel

The 15th annual Maryland Film Festival will be taking place this weekend. MFF Director of Programming Eric Hatch updates us on some selections that were made in Maryland and the surrounding...

2013 Tony Award Nominations Announced: Kinky Boots; Matilda: The Musical & Pippin Lead with 13, 12 & 10 Noms

Here are The 2013 Tony Award Nominations The American Theatre Wing announced its nominations for the 2013 Tony Awards today. DC Theatregoers were wowed by Holland Taylor’s performance as Governor Ann...

David Lowery to Host MD Film Festival Opening by Teresa McCormick Ertel

Filmmaker and writer David Lowery (Aint Them Bodies Saints, Pioneer, St. Nick) will be hosting the Opening Night Shorts Program on Wednesday May 8, 2013 for the Maryland Film Festival. With a film of...

Part 3: ‘Raising Cain: Meet the Cast of ‘How to Write a New Book for the Bible’: Meet Ray Ficca

This is Part Three of a series of interviews with the talented cast of Round House Theatre’s How to Write a New Book for the Bible. Today, meet Ray Ficca. Joel: Why did you want to be involved in this...