Interviews and Features

Story of My Life: The Freak Flag Chronicles” Part 3: Jeffrey Shankle as Farquaad.

Things are looking up here in Duloc! And it is certainly a long look up for actor Jeffrey Shankle playing the antagonizing villain in Shrek the Musical at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, after all characters...

Alan Paul on Directing ‘Bastianello’ and ‘Lucrezia’ at Urban Arias

Performances begin tomorrow night, June 6th at 8 PM for two short comic operas –Bastianello and Luxrezia– at Urban Arias at Artisphere. Director Alan Paul gives us a short preview of what we will see...

Meet the Cast of Spooky Action Theater’s ‘Kwaidan’: Part 1: David Gaines and Tuyet Thi Pham

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of Spooky Action Theater’s Kwaidan, meet David Gaines and Tuyet Thi Pham. Joel: Why did you want to become a member of the cast of Kwaidan? David:...

‘Comfort and Joy’: Appearing in 1st Stage’s ‘Bat Boy:The Musical’: Part 2: Jimmy Mavrikes

In Part Two of a series of interviews with the cast of Bat Boy:The Musical at 1st Stage, meet Jimmy Mavrikes. Joel: Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they might have seen you on the stage...

Meet the Cast of NextStop Theatre Company’s ‘Into the Woods’ Part 6: Suzanne Stanley and Ryan Manning

In between battling witches, wolves, and giants the cast of NextStop Theatre Company’s Into the Woods shared with us their journey of preparing for their roles in this popular Stephen Sondheim...

‘Comfort and Joy’: Appearing in 1st Stage’s ‘Bat Boy:The Musical’: Part 1: Farrell Parker

In Part One of a series of interviews with the cast of Bat Boy:The Musical at 1st Stage, meet Farrell Parker. Joel: Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they might have seen you on the stage...

Meet the Cast of NextStop Theatre Company’s ‘Into the Woods’ Part 5: Priscilla Cuellar

In between battling witches, wolves, and giants the cast of NextStop Theatre Company’s Into the Woods shared with us their journey of preparing for their roles in this popular Stephen Sondheim...

A Close-Up with the Director and Cast of Quackensteele’s ‘tick, tick…BOOM!’

Quackensteele Theatre Company’s production of tick… tick… BOOM! opens this Friday. It’s the inaugural production for the new theatre company. Meet Director Walter Ware III and cast members Madeline...

Meet Director Liz Mykietyn and the Cast of The Providence Players of Fairfax’s ‘Rumors’ by Chip Gertzog

This weekend, The Providence Players of Fairfax (PPF) open Neil Simon’s Rumors in Falls Church for a three-week run. Meet Director Liz Mykietyn. Tell us about yourself Liz. How long have you been...

Department Chair and Artistic Director Kevin Kuchar on Act Two @ Levine’s ‘Pre-Professional Program’ by Lauren Selman

With the close of their second season of Pre-Professional training just two weeks ago, I had a chance to catch up with Department Chair and Artistic Director Kevin Kuchar, from “Act Two @ Levine” to...

‘On the Wheels of a Dream’ Part 4: The Family Group: Santina Maiolatesi (Mother), Cory Jones (Father), and Brian Nabors (Younger Brother)

In New Rochelle, a family who was really just your ordinary upper class family of the time, came to experience life far different from the one they knew when Mother discovered a baby in the dirt of...

An Interview With Kieyontaye D. Johnson-Carter, Author of ‘Love in Time of HIV’

When I first saw Love in Time of HIV in May 2012, I was deeply impressed. Giving voice to a young generation’s encounter with the health crisis left them by their elders, the play by Kieyontaye D....

Meet The Director and Cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s ‘Les Misérables’: Part 8: Camryn Shegogue (Eponine)

In Part 8 of our series of interviews with the director and cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s Les Misérables, meet Camryn Shegogue. Joel: Please introduce yourself, tell us who you play, and where...

‘Yakety Yak’: Part 3: Jay Adriel on ‘Smokey Joe’s Café’ at Arena Stage

In Part Three of our series of interviews with the cast of Arena Stage’s Café, meet Jay Adriel. Joel: Why did you want to be a part of the cast of Smokey Joe’s Café at Arena Stage? Jay: I knew it...

Meet the Cast of No Rules Theatre Company’s ‘Boeing Boeing’: Part 2: Nick Kowalczyk

Here’s the first in a series of interviews with the cast of No Rules Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Boeing Boeing. In Part 2, meet Nick Kowalczyk. Joel: Tell us where local theatregoers have...

Meet the Cast of No Rules Theatre Company’s ‘Boeing Boeing’: Part 1: Helen Hedman

Here’s the first in a series of interviews with the cast of No Rules Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Boeing Boeing. Today meet Helen Hedman. Joel: Where have local theatregoers seen you...

‘Yakety Yak’: Part 2: Austin Colby on ‘Smokey Joe’s Café’ at Arena Stage

In Part Two of our series of interviews with the cast of Arena Stage’s Smokey Joe’s Café, meet Austin Colby. Joel: Why did you want to be a part of the cast of Smokey Joe’s Café’ at Arena Stage?...

Meet The Director and Cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s ‘Les Misérables’: Part 7: Cole Edelstein (Gavroche) and Shira Minsk (Young Cosette)

In Part 7 of our series of interviews with the director and cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s Les Misérables, meet Cole Edelstein and Shira Minsk. Cole: Hey! I’m Cole Edelstein. I’m 11 and in 5th...

“Yakety Yak”: Part 1: Kara-Tameika Watkins on ‘Smokey Joe’s Café’ at Arena Stage

In Part One of our series of interviews with the cast of Arena Stage’s Smokey Joe’s Café, meet Kara-Tameika Watkins. Why did you want to be a part of the cast of Smokey Joe’s Café at Arena Stage? I...

‘Story of My Life: The Freak Flag Chronicles’ at Toby’s ‘Shrek’: Part 2: Ashley Johnson (The Dragon)

She’s gonna love you forever! A big mean, fire-breathing machine! Part Two of the Story of My Life: The Freak Flag Chronicles interview series takes flight with cast member Ashley Johnson, providing...

Meet the Cast of NextStop Theatre Company’s ‘Into the Woods’ Part 4: Katie McManus

In between battling witches, wolves, and giants the cast of NextStop Theatre Company’s Into the Woods shared with us their journey of preparing for their roles in this popular Stephen Sondheim...

Meet The Director and Cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s ‘Les Misérables’: Part 6: Gabriel Potter and Malinda Markland

In Part 6 of our series of interviews with the director and cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s Les Misérables, meet Gabriel Potter and Malinda Markland. Introduce yourself and tell us who you play and...

‘On the Wheels of a Dream’: Jacob Stuart (Tateh), Katie Tyler (Evelyn Nesbit), and Lauren Blake Williams (Emma Goldman) at Arts Collective @HCC’s ‘Ragtime’

In Latvia, a man dreamed of a new life for his little girl. At Union Square a rebel with a cause for justice spoke up. And in 1906 the crime of the century was wrapped around a girl on a swing. Yes,...

Meet The Director and Cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s ‘Les Misérables’: Part 5: Ethan Miller (Gavroche)

In Part 5 of our series of interviews with the director and cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s Les Misérables, meet Ethan Miller. Joel: Introduce yourself and tell us who you play and where local...

Meet the Cast of NextStop Theatre Company’s ‘Into the Woods’ Part 3: Alizon Reggioli

In between battling witches, wolves, and giants the cast of NextStop Theatre Company’s Into the Woods shared with us their journey of preparing for their roles in this popular Stephen Sondheim...

Meet The Director and Cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s ‘Les Misérables’ Part 4: Harrison Smith (Marius)

In Part 4 of our series of interviews with the director and cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s Les Misérables, meet Harrison Smith. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell us who you play and where...

‘On the Wheels of a Dream’: Shayla Lowe and Jamar Brown on Playing Sarah and Coalhouse in ‘Ragtime’ at Arts Collective@HCC

They call it Ragtime, yes they do! Continuing on in the ‘On the Wheels of a Dream’ interview series, I’ve sat down with Shayla Lowe and Jamar Brown, playing Sarah and Coalhouse in the HCC Arts...

Meet Ulla, Roger, and Franz of ‘The Producers’ at South County High School: Cara Bachman, Kyle McKnight, and Jack Gereski

South County High School opens its production of Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan’s Tony Award-winning musical The Producers tonight. The Producers concerns two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich...

‘Meet The Producers’ at South County High School: Part 1: Cameron Powell and Ethan Schulze

South County High School opens its production of Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan’s Tony Award- winning musical The Producers tomorrow. The Producers concerns two theatrical producers who scheme to get...

An Interview with National Chamber Ensemble’s Leo Sushansky on Their May 10th Mother’s Day Concert

If you are looking for a fun way to celebrate Mother’s Day with the special moms in your life, National Chamber Ensemble’s May 10th concert is not to be missed. Whether or not you are able to spend...

Meet The Director and Cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s ‘Les Misérables’ Part 3: David Merrill (Jean Valjean)

In Part 3 of our series of interviews with the director and cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s Les Misérables, meet David Merrill. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell us who you play and where...

On The Wheels of a Dream: David Gregory on Directing ‘Ragtime’ at Arts Collective@HCC

Come hear the music of something beginning, an era exploding, a century spinning! And it’s all happening at the Howard Community College’s Arts Collective as they present Ragtime! Take a gander behind...

Meet The Director and Cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s ‘Les Misérables’ Part 2: Paul Tonden (Javert)

In Part 2 of our series of interviews with the director and cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s Les Misérables, meet Paul Tonden. Joel: Introduce yourself and tell us who you play and where local...

Meet The Director and Cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s ‘Les Misérables’ Part 1: Director Darnell Morris

To begin our series of interviews with the director and cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s Les Misérables, meet Director Darnell Morris. Joel: Why did you want to direct Les Misérables? Darnell: The...

Marcus Kyd on Performing ‘The Thousandth Night’ at MetroStage

In her review of The Thousandth Night at MetroStage, reviewer Yvonne French described Marcus Kyd’s performance as: … poignant, moving, courageous, and appropriately desperate…Marcus Kyd’s tour de...

Neil Simon’s ‘Chapter Two’ Opens Tomorrow Night at Reston Community Players

Reston Community Players concludes its 47th season with Neil Simon’s sparkling comedy, Chapter Two, which opens tomorrow night-April 25th at Reston Community Center’s CenterStage. In Simon’s...

Interviews: McLean High School’s ‘Catch Me If You Can’ Plays Tonight thru Sunday

Catch Me If You Can opens tonight and plays through this Sunday, April 27, 2013 at McLean High School -1633 Davidson Road, in McLean, VA. For tickets, purchase them online, or at the door. INTERVIEWS...

Meet the Cast of NextStop Theatre Company’s ‘Into the Woods’ Part 1: Brittany Martz

NextStop Theatre Company opens its production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods next weekend and in between battling witches, wolves, and giants the cast shared with us their journey of preparing...

‘Inside “Nero/Pseudo” at WSC Avant Bard’ by Dramaturg Alan Katz

WSC Avant Bard’s next production, Nero/Pseudo, is world premiere glam rock musical—with book and lyrics by Richard Byrne, and original music by two indie rock luminaries: Jon Langford (of the Mekons,...

Catch This! McLean High School’s ‘Catch Me If You Can’ Interviews-Part 4: Choreographer Marielle Burt

In Part 4 of ‘Catch This! McLean High School’s’ Catch Me If You Can Interviews, meet Choreographer Marielle Burt. Joel: Tell us about your design experience and why you wanted to work on this...

‘Story of My Life: The Freak Flag Chronicles’ at Toby’s ‘Shrek’: Part 1: Heather Beck (Gingy)

Let your freak flag wave! Let your freak flag fly! Never take it down, never take it down and raise it way up high! For everyone at the Toby’s Dinner Theatre production of Shrek the musical to come...

Directing Quotidian Theatre Company’s ‘Faith Healer’ by Laura Giannarelli

I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to direct this mysterious and marvelous play. Rashomon-like in the way the three characters narrate the story of their intertwined lives from unique...

From Arena Stage to The Booth: ‘The Velocity of Autumn’ Interviews: Part 2: Meet Director Molly Smith and Cast Members Estelle Parsons and Stephen Spinella

This upcoming Monday night-on April 21st-The Velocity of Autumn by Eric Coble opens on Broadway at The Booth Theatre. It’s been an exciting journey so far for the play that entertained enthusiastic...

An Interview with Colonial Players’ Bat Boy: Ron Giddings

Hold me, Bat Boy! Touch me, Bat Boy! Bring me to the light of Colonial Players’ edgy production of the cult classic Bat Boy: The Musical. In a behind the scenes look, I’ve captured area actor Ron...

Catch This! McLean High School’s ‘Catch Me If You Can’ Interviews-Part 2: Alex Stone, Jack Posey, and Lily Lord

In Part 2 of ‘Catch This! McLean High School’s’ Catch Me If You Can Interviews, meet cast members Alex Stone, Jack Posey, and Lily Lord. Tell me a little bit about your character. Alex Stone: Frank...

Fiasco Theater’s ‘The Two Gentlemen of Verona’ and ‘Cymbeline’ at Folger Theatre-Part 2: Fiasco Theater Company’s Co-Artistic Director and Co-Founder Jessie Austrian

In Part 2 of Fiasco Theater’s ‘The Two Gentlemen of Verona’ and ‘Cymbeline’ at Folger Theatre: meet Fiasco Theater Company’s Co-Artistic Director and Co-Founder Jessie Austrian. Joel: When did Folger...

An Interview with Guillaume Tourniaire on Directing Rockville Little Theatre’s ‘The Miser’ by Ken Kemp

Rockville Little Theatre closes their 2013-14 season with an ambitious, unique and off-beat production of Molière’s The Miser. Director Guillaume Tourniaire’s vision for the show includes setting it...

Fiasco Theater’s ‘The Two Gentlemen of Verona’ and ‘Cymbeline’ at Folger Theatre-Part 1: Director Ben Steinfeld

In Part 1 of “A Look at Fiasco Theater‘s “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” and “Cymbeline’ at Folger Theatre”-meet Director Ben Steinfeld. Joel: Why is the Folger’s performing space a perfect fit for...

‘Beaches’ Young and Teen Cee Cees and Berties on Their Signature Experience

Four talented young actresses: Brooklyn Shuck (Young Bertie); Gracie Jones (Teen Cee Cee); Maya Brettell (Teen Bertie), and Presley Ryan (Young Cee Cee) appeared in Signature Theatre’s production of...

Meet the Director and Cast of ‘Hamlet’ at Annapolis Shakespeare Company: Part 5: Nafeesa Monroe

In Part Five of our series of interviews with the cast of Annapolis Shakespeare Company’s Hamlet, meet Nafeesa Monroe. Joel: How did you become involved with this production of Hamlet? I heard they...