Interviews and Features

In the Moment: Dr. King Commemorations in Reston and McLean

In Northern Virginia, two community centers have had long-standing and continuing activities commemorating the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. They are the McLean Community Center and the Reston...

Interviews With the Cast and Director of Kensington Arts Theatre’s ‘The Laramie Project’: Part 2: Zoe Bulitt

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the Director and cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s The Laramie Project, meet Zoe Bulitt. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may...

Interviews With the Cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s ‘The Laramie Project’: Part 1: Susan S. Porter

In Part One of a series of interviews with the Director and cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s The Laramie Project, meet Susan S. Porter. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they...

Meet the Cast of Reston Community Players’ ‘Master Class’: Part 2: Lisa Anne Bailey

Here is Part 2 of a series of interviews with the director, producer, and cast of Reston Community Players’ production of Terrence McNally’s Master Class. Meet Lisa Anne Bailey. Maria Callas, one of...

In the Moment: An Interview With the Creative Team of MetroStage’s ‘Shake Loose’

Shake Loose, the new musical bound for Alexandria’s MetroStage, aims to bear witness to a swirling whirlwind century of events in the lives African American people. Its purpose is “to bring order to...

Meet the Cast, Director, and Producer of Reston Community Players’ ‘Master Class’: Part 1: Director Rosemary Hartman and Producer Kate Keifer

Here is Part 1 of a series of interviews with the director, producer, and cast of Reston Community Players’ production of Terrence McNally’s Master Class. Meet Director Rosemary Hartman and Producer...

The Long View: ‘How ‘Romeo and Juliet’ was Re-written over 50 Years Ago and Signature’s ‘West Side Story’ Masterpiece

Yes, Virginia — and DC and Maryland also — this West Side Story is Real. A Real Masterpiece. Even more, perhaps a Christmas miracle, in Shirlington Village. It’s just that good. Considered by many,...

An Interview with Virginia Warwick: Aka Olivia the Turtle

I ran into Virginia Warwick, aka Olivia the Turtle, at an arts event a few weeks ago. Virginia frequently assumes the identity of Olivia in an ongoing performance art piece, playing out the story of a...

‘Mamed and on the Mend’-Sandy Bainum Takes a Fall, Has Surgery, and is Back as Mame at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

From Sandy Bainum: “It’s Today” is my first song, as Mame Dennis, in the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts (formerly known of the Riverside Dinner Theater) terrific production of Mame. It’s a...

A Chat With Douglas Sills on Appearing in ‘Kiss Me Kate’ at Shakespeare Theatre Company

It was wunderbar having an opportunity to schmooze with Douglas Sills, who is having a blast appearing in Shakespeare Theatre Company’s fabulously entertaining production of Kiss Me Kate. Joel: Why...

A DiSalvo ‘Tuna Christmas’: Thomas, Dillon, and Frank on Parlor Room Theater’s ‘A Tuna Christmas’ Playing 12/17-20

It’s an all-family affair at Parlor Room Theater‘s A Tuna Christmas and Thomas, Dillon, and Frank DiSalvo, Jr. tell us all about it. Joel: This production of A Tuna Christmas is has several family...

‘Andréa Burns is On Her Feet!’: A Chat at The Marquis Theatre With Richard Seff

Andréa Burns. Note the accent over the e in the lady’s name. That puts the emphasis on its second syllable and indicates something latina in her background. And sure enough her mother Leda is a...

Meet the Cast of ‘George is Dead’ at The Klunch: Part 3: Kerri Rambow

In Part 3 of a series of interviews with the cast of George is Dead, meet Kerri Rambow: Joel: Please tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on our local stages? Kerri Rambow: I am a...

Meet the Cast of ‘George is Dead’ at The Klunch: Part 2: Fiona Blackshaw

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the cast of George is Dead, meet Fiona Blackshaw. Joel: Please tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on our local stages? Fiona: I’ve been a...

Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘Holiday Memories’ Part 5: Devon Ross

In Part 5 of a series of five interviews with the cast of WSC Avant Bard’s production of Holiday Memories—a stage adaptation of two classic short stories by Truman Capote, “A Christmas Memory” and...

Art and Survival: A Conversation with Joanna Caplan, Creator and Performer of ‘Total Verruckt!’

Total Verruckt! presents the real-life story of members of the Camp Westerbork Theatre Group, an unlikely troupe that was formed at the Westerbork Transit Camp – a Nazi transport and detention center...

Meet the Cast of ‘George is Dead’ at The Klunch: Part 1: John Tweel

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of George is Dead at The Klunch, meet John Tweel. Joel: Please tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on our local stages? John: I’ve...

In the Moment: Liel Leibovitz, Author of ‘A Broken Hallelujah: Rock and Roll, Redemption and the Life of Leonard Cohen’ to Appear at JCCNV on December 5th at 8 PM

The man with the famous blue raincoat who wrote many a reflective, if not prophetic song over the past decades will be arriving at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia Northern Virginia....

In the Moment: ‘Seussical’ Comes to NextStop Theatre Company December 4-20th

One of the most popular heartwarming family musicals, which is chock-full of youthful energy, charming songs and wise life-lessons, is coming to the Dulles Corridor. It is Next Stop Theatre’s...

Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘Holiday Memories’ Part 4: Charlotte Akin

In Part 4 of a series of interviews with the cast of WSC Avant Bard’s production of Holiday Memories—a stage adaptation of two classic short stories by Truman Capote, “A Christmas Memory” and “The...

An Interview with Billy L’Amour on ‘Gentlemen Prefer Billy’ at Rainbow Theatre Project at Source on Monday, 11/30

Super-excited to get to talk with Montreal’s oh so fabulous Billy L’Amour, whose career spans ballet, cabaret, and burlesque and is bringing her one-woman show Gentlemen Prefer Billy to the Source...

Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘Holiday Memories’ Part 3: Christopher Henley

In Part 3 of a series of interviews with the cast of WSC Avant Bard’s production of Holiday Memories—a stage adaptation of two classic short stories by Truman Capote, “A Christmas Memory” and “The...

Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘Holiday Memories’ Part 2: Liz Dutton

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the cast of WSC Avant Bard’s production of Holiday Memories—a stage adaptation of two classic short stories by Truman Capote, “A Christmas Memory” and “The...

An Interview with Antony Walker, Artistic Director of Washington Concert Opera

The operas of early 19th century master Gioachino Rossini play a big part in the life of Maestro Antony Walker. The artistic director of Washington Concert Opera is preparing for the company’s...

Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘Holiday Memories’: Part 1: Séamus Miller

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of WSC Avant Bard’s production of Holiday Memories—a stage adaptation of two classic short stories by Truman Capote, “A Christmas Memory” and “The...

An Interview with Dr. Torcher on ‘The Weirdo Show’ This Friday at The Bier Baron at 9 PM

The Weirdo Show is one of the DC Burlesque and Variety scene’s longest running and most beloved institutions. It started in 2006 and has continued, with some brief hiatuses and producer changes. Once...

Blake Hammond on Playing Sebastian in ‘Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ at The National Theatre

Blake Hammond is playing Sebastian in the Tour of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella which is about to open at The National Theatre. Joel: Hi Blake. Where may have some of our readers seen you perform...

From Beethoven to Rachmaninoff to Billy Joel: An Interview with Superstar Pianist Olga Kern

If you believe that a good way to judge music is on whether it sounds good and moves you, then you have a friend in international concert pianist Olga Kern. The Russian-bred, New York-based classical...

Meet Soloist Paul Negron of The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s ‘The S Show’ Playing This Saturday at 5 & 8 PM at Atlas

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the soloists of this Saturday’s The S* Show: Sinatra, Sondheim, and Streisand? performed by The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC Meet Paul Negron. Joel:...

Meet Soloist JJ Vera of The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s ‘The ‘S Show’ Playing This Saturday at 5 & 8 PM at Atlas

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the soloists of this Saturday’s The S* Show: Sinatra, Sondheim, and Streisand? performed by The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC Meet JJ Vera. Joel: Please...

Meet the Cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s ‘Sweeney Todd’: Part 9: Sophia Nasreen Riazi-Sekowski

In Part 9 of a series of interviews with the director and cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s Sweeney Todd meet Sophia Nasreen Riazi-Sekowski. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where...

Meet the Cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s ‘Sweeney Todd’: Part 8: Andrew Exner

In Part 8 of a series of interviews with the director and cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s Sweeney Todd meet Andrew Exner. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen...

Magic Time! ‘Gender-Flipping the Bard: A Q&A with Brave Spirits Theatre’s Kevin Finkelstein’

Back in December 2014 I had a conversation with the Director Kevin Finkelstein that has stayed with me. I had just seen his staging of A Klingon Christmas Carol, a one-night-only seasonal novelty...

A Talk with Michael Riedel on His Book ‘Razzle Dazzle’ by Richard Seff

Michael Riedel, the theatre columnist for the New York Post and the co-host of the long running PBS show Theater Talk, sat with me for an hour on November 2nd, to discuss his valuable and readable new...

Jill Vanderweit on ‘Any Given Monday’ Opening Tonight at Greenbelt Arts Center

In Part 3, Jill Vanderweit stars in Any Given Monday, which opens tonight at Greenbelt Arts Center. I asked him to talk about the role of Risa, who she plays in the show. My name is ​Jill Vanderweit,...

Meet the Cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s ‘Sweeney Todd’: Part 7: Daniel Plante

In Part 7 of a series of interviews with the director and cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s Sweeney Todd meet Daniel Plante Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen...

Bob Kleinberg on ‘Any Given Monday’ Opening Tonight at Greenbelt Arts Center

Bob Kleinberg stars in Any Given Monday, which opens tonight at Greenbelt Arts Center. I asked him to talk about the role of Lenny, who he plays in the show. Lenny is a mild-mannered Jewish guy from...

Meet the Cast of ‘Painting Churches’ at Montgomery Playhouse: Part 3: Jane Squier Bruns

In Part 3 of a series of interviews with the cast of Montgomery Playhouse’s Painting Churches, meet Jane Squier Bruns. Joel: Where have local audiences seen you perform recently on stage? Jane: I just...

Meet the Cast of ‘Painting Churches’ at Montgomery Playhouse: Part 2: Shanna Ridenour

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the cast of Montgomery Playhouse’s Painting Churches, meet Shanna Ridenour. Joel: Where have local audiences seen you perform recently on stage? Shanna:...

Meet the Cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s ‘Sweeney Todd’: Part 6: Lauren Lowell

In Part 6 of a series of interviews with the director and cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s Sweeney Todd meet Lauren Lowell. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen...

Meet the Cast of ‘Painting Churches’ at Montgomery Playhouse: Part 1: David Jones

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of Montgomery Playhouse’s Painting Churches, meet David Jones. Joel: Where have local audiences seen you perform recently on the stage? David: I was...

Quinn Lemley on ‘Burlesque to Broadway’ at The Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick This Friday @8 PM

Quinn Lemley is bringing her show Burlesque to Broadway this Friday night, November 6, 2015, at 8 PM to the Weinberg Center for the Arts, in Frederick, MD. I asked her to tell us about what audiences...

In the Moment: Stephen Lang on Performing in ‘Beyond Glory’ on 11/10@8pm at Reston Community Center

There are many ways to commemorate Veteran’s Day and the over 21 million veterans of military service. Attending a live theater performance about Medal of Honor recipients is certainly one way to...

Meet the Cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s ‘Sweeney Todd’: Part 5: Garrett Matthews

In Part 5 of a series of interviews with the director and cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s Sweeney Todd meet Garrett Matthew. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have...

Meet the Cast of ‘Songs for a New World’: Part 2: Madyson Hanton (Woman #2‏)

Joel: Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you before on local stages. Hi! My name is Madyson Hanton and I am currently a senior at Robinson Secondary School. I recently...

Nu Sass Brings the Second Installment of the Small Batch Audience Series to DC: Sartre’s ‘No Exit’

For those of you who didn’t witness it, something beautiful happened in the tiny gallery at Caos on F Street last spring. Nu Sass Productions (a theatre company founded on the ideals of creating...

Meet the Kids of ‘Shrek The Musical’ at Reston Community Players: Allie Lytle, Ella Schnoor, Erik Peyton, Mhairi Cameron, and Brayden DiBacco

In Part 5 of our series of interviews with the cast of Shrek The Musical at Reston Community Players, we meet the girls of RCP’s Shrek: Allie Lytle, Ella Schnoor, Erik Peyton, Mhairi Cameron, and...

Meet the Cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s ‘Sweeney Todd’ Part 4: Carolyn Freel

In Part 4 of a series of interviews with the director and cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s Sweeney Todd meet Carolyn Freel. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen...

Science Fiction ‘Double D-TURE’: ‘The Rocky Horror T*tty Show’ This Friday at 8 PM at Bier Baron Tavern

Hello my name is Lucrezia and I am a Rocky Horror-aholic. Like I’ve got “Don’t Dream It, Be It” tattooed on my left bicep. Growing up it helped so many of us, who felt outside and unworthy, to feel...

Meet the Cast of ‘Songs for a New World’: Part 1: Jordan Sledd

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of Songs for a New World at Metropolitan Youth Theatre (‘MYT’), meet Jordan Sledd. Joel: Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have...