Community Theater

Review: ‘Loves and Hours’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse

Laurel Mill Playhouse offers up an ideal evening of theatre in Loves and Hours by Stephen Metcalfe and directed by Daniel Douek. This intriguing play looks at love and aging through the perspective of...

Review: ‘Recent Tragic Events’ at St. Mark’s Players

The American theater has generated some great plays prompted by the tragic events of 9/11. I remember vividly Neil LaBute’s powerful 2002 drama The Mercy Seat, in a production LaBute directed...

Review: ‘Silent Sky’ at Silver Spring Stage

Friday marked the opening at Silver Spring Stage of a very timely drama, Silent Sky, by Laura Gunderson. Produced by Seth Ghitelman and directed by Bill Hurlbut, Silent Sky is the fascinating story of...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #13: Best Direction and Musical Direction in Musicals and Best Direction of Plays in Community Theatres in DC/MD/VA

The staff of DCMetroTheaterArts Best Direction and Musical Direction in Musicals and Best Direction of Plays of 2016 in Community Theatres in DC/VA/MD Are: BEST DIRECTION AND MUSICAL DIRECTION IN...

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: ‘Twelve Angry Men’ at Sandy Spring Theatre Group and Arts on The Green

What goes on in the secret deliberations of juries? And what lessons are there for all of us in terms of group dynamics and how to persuade people? The answers to these interesting questions are the...

Review: ‘Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)’ at Casabeuna Cultural Productions

Who doesn’t love a good Christmas story? In fact, who doesn’t love every good Christmas story? A quartet of rambunctious performers tries to cover all bases, and lovingly satirize all – well, most –...

Review: ‘The Greatest Holiday Special (N)ever’ at Silver Spring Stage

The Greatest Holiday Special (N)ever, by Silver Spring Stage in collaboration with The Coil Project (a local company that writes and produces original work), is the perfect Christmas show for those...

Review: ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ at Providence Players of Fairfax

Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the second production of The Providence Players of Fairfax’s 19th season is delightful Christmas family fun. Written by Barbara Robinson in the 70s and directed by WATCH...

Meet the Cast and Director of Providence Players’ ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ Part 3: Evie Izdepski by Julie Janson

The Providence Players of Fairfax will soon premiere the second production of their 19th season, Best Christmas Pageant Ever, written by Barbara Robinson and directed by award-winning director Liz...

Review: ‘Foxfire’ at Bowie Community Theatre

Foxfire is a heartwarming and poignant story that will have audience members laughing and teary-eyed in the same moment. Currently in production at Bowie Community Theatre, Foxfire is a drama by Susan...

Review: ‘Black Nativity’ at ANKH Repertory Theatre and The Finest! Performance Foundation

Productions of Langston Hughes’ holiday classic Black Nativity are numerous in the DC area this holiday season, but the joint production by ANKH Repertory Theatre and The Finest! Performance...

Meet the Cast of Providence Players’ ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ Part 1: Michelle Shader by Julie Janson

The Providence Players of Fairfax, will soon premiere the second production of its 19th season, Best Christmas Pageant Ever, written by Barbara Robinson and directed by award-winning Director Liz...

Review: ‘The Game’s Afoot (Holmes for the Holidays)’ at Spotlighters Theatre

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending an opening weekend performance of The Game’s Afoot (Holmes for the Holidays), by Ken Ludwig at Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre (“Spotlighters”)....

Review: ‘The Divine Sister’ at Fells Point Corner Theatre

Just in time to ring in the holiday cheer and chuckle with a blaze this bustling season, Fells Point Corner Theatre (FPCT) presents the Baltimore premiere of actor/novelist/playwright/drag legend...

Meet the Cast of Damascus Theatre Company’s ‘Children of Eden’: Part 4: Kevin James Logan

In part four of a series of interviews with the cast of Damascus Theatre Company’s Children of Eden, meet Kevin James Logan. Joel: Where have local theatergoers seen you perform before on our local...

Meet the Cast of Damascus Theatre Company’s ‘Children of Eden’: Part 3: Kendall Sigman

In part three of a series of interviews with the cast of Damascus Theatre Company’s Children of Eden, meet Kendall Sigman. Joel: Where have local theatergoers seen you perform before on our local...

Review: ‘Children of Eden’ at Damascus Theatre Company

Parent-child relationships have been a perennial issue throughout history, even “In the Beginning.” Damascus Theatre Company’s production of Children of Eden takes the audience on a musical journey...

Review: ‘Dinner With Friends’ at Greenbelt Arts Center

‘Dinner With Friends’ serves broken relationships, dreams Why do people break up, but never make up? Is having kids a sacrifice or a blessing? Are some people not just built for marriage? Is marriage...

Review: ‘Shrek: the Musical’ at Rockville Musical Theatre

Rockville Musical Theatre’s Shrek, the Musical is a large-scale, glitzy, theatrical extravaganza. This production has got it all: Belting performers, elaborate sets and eye-catching costumes. Director...

Meet the Cast of ‘Postmortem’ at Montgomery Playhouse: Part 4: Carole Preston

In Part 4 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Montgomery Playhouse’s Postmortem, meet Carole Preston. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you...

Meet the Cast of Peace Mountain Theatre Company’s ‘A Delicate Balance’: Part 4: Director Laurie Freed

Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell readers where they have seen you perform before on local stages. Laurie: My name is Laurie T. Freed and I am the director of A Delicate Balance by Edward...

Review: ‘Cabaret’ at Kensington Arts Theatre

In Act One of Cabaret, Cliff Bradshaw tells Sally Bowles that he loves Berlin because it feels like a city full of children behaving badly, getting wilder and wilder because they know that at any...

Meet the Cast of ‘Dinner with Friends’ at Greenbelt Arts Center: Part 1: Director Bob Kleinberg

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of Greenbelt Arts Center’s Dinner with Friends, meet Director Bob Kleinberg. Joel: Please tell our readers where they may have seen your work on our...

Meet the cast of ‘Postmortem’ at Montgomery Playhouse: Part 3: Sydney Ouellette

In Part 3 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Montgomery Playhouse’s Postmortem, meet Sydney Ouellette. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you...

Meet the Cast of Peace Mountain Theatre Company’s ‘A Delicate Balance’: Part 3: Leah Mazade

In Part 3 of a series of interviews with the cast of Peace Mountain Theatre Company’s A Delicate Balance, meet Leah Mazade. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell readers where they have seen you...

Meet the Cast of ‘Postmortem’ at Montgomery Playhouse: Part 2: Dell Pendergrast

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Montgomery Playhouse’s Postmortem, meet Dell Pendergrast. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you...

Review: ‘Gypsy’ at Reston Community Players by Caroline Griswold Short

The Reston Community Players (RCP) opened their 50th Anniversary season on Friday with Gypsy, known as one of the great American musicals. With music by Jule Styne, lyrics by a young Stephen Sondheim,...

Review: ‘H.M.S. Pinafore’ at 2nd Star Productions

A merriment of song and dance from stunning cast, 2nd Star Productions’ H.M.S. Pinafore, is a toe-tapping delight. The Music is by Arthur Sullivan and Book & Lyrics by W. S. Gilbert. Director Jane B....

Review: ‘Pride and Prejudice’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse

If you want to see a thoroughly charming romantic comedy, visit the Laurel Mill Playhouse for their lovely production of Pride and Prejudice. Based on the legendary Jane Austen’s 1813 novel, Pride and...

Review: ‘Avenue Q’ at Vagabond Players

Vagabond Players’ Avenue Q, expertly directed by Eric C. Stein, is a “Triple Crown”-winning musical (Tony for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book) with a spectacular cast. The show is another big...

Review: ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ at the Colonial Players of Annapolis

The Colonial Players of Annapolis’ Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, directed by Craig Allen Mummey and written by the late Edward Albee, brings the audience on a journey through the breakdown of two...

Review: ‘night, Mother’ at Dominion Stage

Depression can be a tricky state; while it entails some sadness, the marker of depression goes beyond sadness. Indeed, it is a mental state that involves many other elements such as hopelessness,...

Review: ‘Shadowlands’ at North Bethesda United Methodist Church by Natalie McManus

North Bethesda United Methodist Church’s’ (NBUMC) presentation of William Nicholson’s Shadowlands, directed by Janet Van Albert Replogle, is a delightful and touching real life story of the...

Review: ‘The Wizard of Oz: Young Performers’ Edition’ at Kensington Arts Theatre-2nd Stage

Kensington Arts Theatre-2nd Stage’s production of The Wizard of Oz Young Performers’ Edition is up and running at the Kentlands Arts Barn. A great way to while away a few hours with your kids on an...

A Preview of Colonial Players of Annapolis’ ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’? by Director Craig Mummey

Colonial Players of Annapolis may be in its 68th season, but the production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? opening October 21, 2016, will be its first regular season production from the Edward...

Review: ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ at St. Mark’s Players

When the cast of St. Mark‘s Players’ new production, Peter and the Starcatcher, charges out from behind deep red curtains for their opening scene, that is your cue. Stop right here and suspend your...

Review: ‘Comic Potential’ at McLean Community Players

Playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn is well known in England, but less so here in the states. A prolific playwright with over seventy plays to his name, his work includes dramas, comedies, and many...

Interviews with the Cast of McLean Community Players’ ‘Comic Potential’ Part 4: Caity Brown

In Part 4 in a series of interviews with the cast of McLean Community Players’ Comic Potential, meet Caity Brown. Joel: Introduce yourself and tell us where else we have seen you performing in the...

Review: ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ at Castaways Repertory Theatre

Power struggles come in many forms. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, by Tennessee Williams can be used as a case study in a book titled, How to Win Arguments, and Influence People. Maggie uses sensuality and...

Review: ‘Legally Blonde: The Musical’ at Fauquier Community Theatre

Oh my God, ohmigod you guys, looks like this show is going to win the prize. Legally Blonde: The Musical, now playing at the Fauquier Community Theatre (FCT) is like a non-stop party, a party with all...

Meet the Cast and Director of Providence Players’ ‘Amadeus’ Part 3: Julia Buhagiar as Constanze by Chip Gertzog

Amadeus, the late Peter Shaffer’s Tony and Academy award winning masterpiece opens next week, September 30, 2016, at the James Lee Community Center Theater and kicks off the Providence Players...

Come to KAT’s ‘Cabaret’: Part 2: Meet Chuck Dluhy

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s (KAT) Cabaret, meet Chuck Dluhy. Joel: Where have local theatergoers seen you perform before on our local stages? What...

Review: ‘The Emperor of North America’ at Silver Spring Stage

Friday night was a very special night at Silver Spring Stage as they opened their 49th Season with Thomas Hischak’s play, The Emperor of North America. This production was presented as part of the...

Review: ‘The 39 Steps’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse

Laurel Mill Playhouse offers up a pleasing mix of comedy, melodrama, pathos and mystery in their amusingly fun production of The 39 Steps written by Patrick Barlow and directed by Stephen Deininger....

Meet The Cast of Castaway’s Repertory Theatre’s ‘Cat On A Hot Tin Roof’: Part 3: Catherine Lyon

In Part 3 of our series of interviews with the cast of Castaways Repertory Theatre’s production of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, meet Catherine Lyon (Big Mama). Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our...

Meet The Cast of The Castaways Repertory Theatre’s ‘Cat On A Hot Tin Roof’: Part 2: Lisa Arnold and Zell Murphy

In Part Two of a series of interviews with the cast of Castaways Repertory Theatre’s production of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, meet Lisa Arnold (Dixie) and Zell Murphy (Reverend Tooker). Joel: Please...

Review: ‘Steel Magnolias’ at The Little Theatre of Alexandria

Set in the pleasantly pastel-colored world of Truvy’s beauty salon, The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s production of Robert Harling’s Steel Magnolias starts out by introducing us the everyday life of...

Meet The Cast of The Castaways Repertory Theatre’s ‘Cat On A Hot Tin Roof’: Part 1: Jay Tilley and Matthew Scarborough

In part 1 in a series of interviews with the cast of Castaways Repertory Theatre’s production of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, meet Matthew Scarborough and Jay Tilley. Please introduce yourself and tell our...

Come to KAT’s ‘Cabaret’: Part 1: Meet Sarah Jane Bookter

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s (KAT) Cabaret, meet Sarah Jane Bookter. Joel: Please introduce yourself to our readers. Sarah: Hello! I am Sarah Jane...