Interviews and Features

An Interview with John Collins-The Director of ‘Arguendo’ at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

“How does one draw a line between Salome and the Kitty Kat Lounge?” A quote from Justice Antonin Scalia made famous during the Supreme Court case of Barnes vs. Glen Theatre. Exploring the case, where...

Tasty Tidings Part 3: An Interview with Shani Hadjian on Spotlighters’ ‘Five Course Love’

There’s even more trouble in the kitchen! What with Barbie needing a man named Ken, Sofia having an affair with Gino, and Rosalinda being caught in a three-way love triangle! Continuing the Tasty...

No Shrinking Violet: The Theatre Lab Tackles Poignant Musical with Diverse Cast

The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts, Washington’s largest theatre school, is known for challenging students with very ambitious classes, some of which culminate in major performance...

Meet the Director and Cast of ‘Hamlet’ at Annapolis Shakespeare Company: Part 4: George Page

In Part Four of our series of interviews with the cast of Annapolis Shakespeare Company’s Hamlet, meet George Page. Joel: How did you become involved with this production of Hamlet? George: Sally...

An Interview with Open Air Stereo’s Scott Pounds, Appearing Tonight at 8 PM at Jammin’ Java in Vienna, VA

Open Air Stereo is a band full of storylines from taking eleven years to release a debut album, to finding their guitarist through Craigslist, and from their lead singer Chase Johnson starring on...

Steven Carpenter on Directing ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’ at 1st Stage

While Martin McDonagh grew up in England, his parents were native Irish and as a boy he travelled nearly every summer to the west of Ireland to spend time with relatives. He was regaled by his uncles...

‘The Most Happy Fella’: Let’s Take It Outside: The Expansive Musical World of ‘The Most Happy Fella’ Which Opens at The Arlington Players on Friday, 4/4 David Rohde

Let’s Take It Outside: The Expansive Musical World of ‘The Most Happy Fella’ by David Rohde You can set a musical just about anywhere, and Frank Loesser certainly did that. In Guys and Dolls, Nathan...

Tasty Tidings Part 2: An Interview with Lauren Schein on Spotlighters’ ‘Five Course Love’

She may be looking for love in all the wrong places…or maybe she’s licking the wounds of her bruised heart. Either way, Lauren Schein has the scoop for us on what it’s like to be a part of this area...

The Energy and Commitment of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC

I was very pleased to attend the recent musical offering of the esteemed Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, (GMCW), Von Trapped, which was presented on March 14-16, 2014 at The George Washington...

Meet the Director and Cast of ‘Hamlet’ at Annapolis Shakespeare Company: Part 3: Paul E. Hope

In Part Three of our series of interviews with the cast of Annapolis Shakespeare Company’s Hamlet, meet Paul E. Hope. Joel: How did you become involved with this production of Hamlet? What did you...

Tasty Tidings Part 1: An Interview with Fuzz Roark and Michael Tan on Spotlighters’ ‘Five Course Love’

There’s trouble in the kitchen! Five courses of fabulousness are being served up at The Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre in Baltimore as they bring the regional premier of the new comical and...

Part 6 of ‘Monty Python’s ‘Spamalot’ at Toby’s: The Series of Interviews That Goes On and On’: Actors Larry Munsey and Jeffrey Shankle

Galloping into the home stretch with the grail in sight is Arthur, King of the Britains, astride his trusty steed Patsy! In the final segment of the six-piece interview series that “…goes on and on...

Meet the Director and Cast of ‘Hamlet’ at Annapolis Shakespeare Company: Part 2: Audrey Bertaux

In Part Two of our series of interviews with the cast of Annapolis Shakespeare Company’s Hamlet, meet Audrey Bertaux. Joel: How did you become involved with this production of Hamlet? What did you...

Behind the Scenes at Molotov’s “Normal”: Part 3: Elizabeth Darby: ‘On Being in Love with a Monster’

In Scene Nine of Normal Wehner asks the audience, “Do we bear monsters? Or do we create them?” The plot provides easy support for those on the “nurture” end of the “nature vs. nurture” argument; it...

Meet the Director and Cast of ‘Hamlet’ at Annapolis Shakespeare Company: Part 1: Manu Kumasi

In Part One of our series of interviews with the cast of Annapolis Shakespeare Company’s Hamlet, meet Manu Kumasi. Joel: How did you become involved with this production of Hamlet? What did you...

Behind the Scenes at “Normal” Part 2: Brian McDermott: ‘Bow Ties and Other Knotty Problems’

OK. Confession time. I’ve never tied a bow tie. Bow tie tying is a strange little thing that I had managed to avoid until appearing in Normal, from Molotov Theatre Group, which runs through March...

Act Two @ Levine Music Students Perform ‘Parade’ for Show’s Composer and Lyricist Jason Robert Brown by Lauren Selman

Students of Act Two @ Levine Music Pre-Professional Program performed the Tony Award-winning musical Parade for the show’s composer and lyricist, Jason Robert Brown. Act Two’s Parade was initially...

Meet the Playwrights of Arena Stage’s ‘Playwrights’ Arena’: Part 5: Heather McDonald

The Playwrights’ Arena a new play initiative developed by the American Voices New Play Institute. Centering on a small collaborative group of local playwrights dedicated to the support and development...

Part 5 of ‘Monty Python’s Spamalot at Toby’s: The Series of Interviews That Goes On and On’: Actress Priscilla Cuellar (Lady of the Lake)

Whatever happened to her part? This series has gone on long enough without mentioning the stunning singing sensation The Lady of the Lake! It’s a tough life being a watery tart who hands out swords...

Composer Jason Robert Brown on ‘Songs for a New World’ on 3/15-16 at Young Artists of America and His Cabaret “I Could Be In Love with Someone Like You” on 3/17 at Red Branch Theatre Company

Composer Jason Robert Brown will be coming to Potomac, MD and to Columbia, MD next weekend to conduct and perform Songs for a New World with talented young singers and musicians at Young Artists of...

Meet the Playwrights of Arena Stage’s ‘Playwrights’ Arena’: Part 4: Danielle Mohlman

The Playwrights’ Arena a new play initiative developed by the American Voices New Play Institute. Centering on a small collaborative group of local playwrights dedicated to the support and development...

Part 4 of ‘Monty Python’s Spamalot at Toby’s: The Series of Interviews That Goes On and On’: David James (Herbert) and David Jennings (Lancelot)

His name is Lancelot! He likes to dance a lot! Journey along into part four of the Interview Series that Goes On and On and On as I sit down with David C. Jennings, playing four major characters in...

Meet the Playwrights of Arena Stage’s ‘Playwrights’ Arena’: Part 3: Norman Allen

The Playwrights’ Arena a new play initiative developed by the American Voices New Play Institute. Centering on a small collaborative group of local playwrights dedicated to the support and development...

Meet the Playwrights of Arena Stage’s ‘Playwrights’ Arena’: Part 2: Shawn Northrip

The Playwrights’ Arena a new play initiative developed by the American Voices New Play Institute. Centering on a small collaborative group of local playwrights dedicated to the support and development...

Attending ‘The Velocity of Autumn’ Meet the Press at Sardi’s Today by Joel Markowitz

It was an exciting morning at Sardi’s as the cast, producers, and the director of The Velocity of Autumn were introduced to the NYC press. I was so thrilled to be there and to see my friends...

Meet the Playwrights of Arena Stage’s ‘Playwrights’ Arena’: Part 1: Jacqueline E. Lawton

The Playwrights’ Arena a new play initiative developed by the American Voices New Play Institute. Centering on a small collaborative group of local playwrights dedicated to the support and development...

Interview with the Cast and Directors of ‘Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson’ at The Highwood Theatre by Kevin Kearney

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson is The Highwood’s Theatre‘s first mixed-cast production, featuring professional and student actors. The production will play at the Katzen Arts Center at American...

It’s Magic! Meet the Cast of Reston Community Players’ ‘Xanadu’ Part 1: Richard Durkin, Evie Korovesis, and Russell Silber by Diane Jackson Schnoor

Xanadu Opens March 7th Reston Players’ Light-Hearted Cure for the Winter Blues Sick of the never-ending winter? Find your leg warmers, grab your roller skates, and travel back in time with the Reston...

George Dvorsky on ‘The Great American Songbook’ This Friday at 8 PM at Olney Theatre Center

This Friday, February 28th at 8 PM at Olney Theatre Center, Broadway Veteran George Dvorsky, who is now appearing in How To Succeed… sings from The Great American Songbook. He is joined by Helen Hayes...

New Whisperings: Meet KAT’s Director and Cast of ‘Spring Awakening’: Part 6: David Tuttle (Hanschen) by Joel Markowitz

In Part 6 of our series of interviews with the director and cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s Spring Awakening, meet David Tuttle, who is playing Hanschen. Joel: Why did you want to appear in Spring...

An Interview with Eric Greene, Talise Trevigne, and Matthew Worth on The Opera ‘Moby-Dick’ at Washington National Opera by Teal Ruland

Jake Heggie’s whale of an opera, Moby-Dick, makes its east coast premiere at The Kennedy Center this evening at the Washington National Opera. Based on the famous 19th-century novel by Herman Melville...

An Interview with ‘Kids in the Hall’ Kevin McDonald by Marlene Hall

Kevin McDonald is from the famed Canadian, sketch comedy group Kids in the Hall. He is back again in DC, February 22d at 10:00 am to teach a sold-out sketch writing workshop at The Comedy Spot in...

Breaking Boundaries with Design at University of Maryland’s ‘Spring Awakening,’ Which Opens February 28th by Emily Schweich

He’s won five Tony Awards for lighting design and worked on acclaimed Broadway productions, including The Book of Mormon and Death of a Salesman. He’s worked with icons like director Mike Nichols and...

Part 3 of ‘Monty Python’s Spamalot at Toby’s: The Series of Interviews That Goes On and On’: Actor Nick Lehan (Sir Galahad) by Amanda Gunther

Tally-ho! Onward we go, questing through a very dark and expensive forest to meet the next knight in this interview series, Sir Galahad, played by the handsomely dashing and rather talented Nick...

New Whisperings: Meet KAT’s Director and Cast of ‘Spring Awakening’: Part 5: Director Emily Zickler by Joel Markowitz

In Part 5 of our series of interviews with the director and cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s Spring Awakening, meet Director Emily Zickler. Joel: Why did you want to direct Kensington Arts Theatre’s...

New Whisperings: Meet KAT’s Director and Cast of ‘Spring Awakening’: Part 4: Harrison Smith (Moritz) by Joel Markowitz

In Part 4 of our series of interviews with the director and cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s Spring Awakening, meet Harrison Smith (Moritz). Joel: Why did you want to appear in Spring Awakening at...

Attend the Tale of Landless’ Prog-Metal ‘Sweeney Todd’: An Interview With Landless’ Andrew and Melissa Baughman by Joel Markowitz

Life has been hectic and exciting for Landless Theatre Company‘s Producing Artistic Director of Landless Theatre Andrew L. Baughman and Associate Producing Director and Resident Director Melissa...

New Whisperings: Meet KAT’s Director and Cast of ‘Spring Awakening’: Part 3: Ryan Alan Jones (Melchior) by Joel Markowitz

In Part 3 of our series of interviews with the director and cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s Spring Awakening, meet Ryan Alan Jones (Melchior). Joel: Why did you want to appear in Spring Awakening at...

New Whisperings: Meet KAT’s Director and Cast of ‘Spring Awakening’: Part 2: Catherine Callahan (Martha) by Joel Markowitz

In Part 2 of our series of interviews with the director and cast of Kensington Arts Theatre’s Spring Awakening, meet Catherine Callahan (Martha). Joel: Why did you want to appear in Spring Awakening...

An Interview With Dawn Ursula on ‘We Are Proud to Present…’ at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company by Amanda Gunther

As Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company continues on its way with Season 34, America’s Tell-Tale Heart, their newest production, We Are Proud to Present… follows the overall season theme quite well....

Interview with H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program’s Bill Podolski on ‘Les Miserables’ by Eric Denver

I was so impressed by the quality of H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program‘s production of Les Misérables School Edition that I asked Director/Producer/Musical Director Bill Podolski to take us...

Be a Les Mis Valentine! Celebrate A Heart Full of Love At Reston Community Players’ ‘Les Misérables’ by Diane Schnoor

There is one week left to catch a performance of the Reston Players’ critically acclaimed Les Misérables, and members of the cast and crew are hoping regional audiences will join them for some...

Part 2 of ‘Monty Python’s Spamalot at Toby’s: The Series of Interviews That Goes On and On’: Actor Darren McDonnell by Amanda Gunther

This is the interview series that goes like this. In Part II, I sat down with the boldest, most courageous, most daring knight of them all: Sir Robin, the not-so-brave-as Sir Lancelot—played by Toby’s...

Meet The Cast and Director of Spooky Action Theater’s ‘The Wedding Dress’: Part 2: Meet Director Rebecca Holderness by Joel Markowitz

Spooky Action Theater is presenting The Wedding Dress by Nelson Rodrigues. The show is directed by Rebecca Holderness and stars Frank Britton, Michael Kevin Darnall, Dane Edidi, Stefanie Garcia,...

‘A Journey with Richard: A Deaf Man’s Commentary on ‘Richard III’ at NextStop Theatre Company’ by Michael Sprouse

The house lights dims, and the stage is flooded with elegant people dressed up for a formal occasion. I spot a man who looks around trying to fit in, and awkwardly raising his glass and barely...

Interviews with the 2014 Helen Hayes Nominees: Part 2: Tobias Young (Piragua Man in ‘In the Heights’) by Amanda Gunther

Here’s an interview with Tobias Young who is nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Musical for playing Piragua Man in In the Heights at Toby’s Dinner Theatre. ______ Es calor! The...

Eitan Mazia on Playing Leo Frank in ‘Parade’ at Act Two @ Levine This Weekend at The Kogod Cradle at Arena Stage

First of all, I cannot thank Director Kevin Kuchar enough for allowing me the privilege to play this role, especially at such a young age. It’s an especially unique opportunity for me because I’ve...

Amanda Silverstein on Playing Lucille Frank in Act Two @ Levine’s ‘Parade’ This Weekend at The Kogod Cradle at Arena Stage

Parade is not just a musical. It isn’t one of those shows where the audience wants to get up and dance and leaves feeling they have been entertained. To me, Parade is an intense story that should make...

Interviews with the 2014 Helen Hayes Nominees: Part 1: David Gregory (Usnavi in ‘In the Heights’) by Amanda Gunther

Here’s an interview with David Gregory who is nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical for playing Usnavi in In the Heights at Toby’s Dinner Theatre. ______ Lights up — this time they’re...

A Father and Son, Two Sisters, and Others React to Their WATCH AWARD Nominations

How did thy feel when their names were announced as a WATCH AWARD nominee? A Father and a Son Are Nominated Outstanding Special Effects Chip Gertzog and Jimmy Gertzog Chip Gertzog & Jimmy Gertzog–...