Interviews and Features

‘Cast Chats-Part 2:’ With Members of the Cast of ‘Tartuffe’ at Annapolis Shakespeare Company by Amanda Gunther

Continuing on with the other half of the Annapolis Shakespeare Company’s cast of Tartuffe we hear from the title character and the other two actors that made the show such a smashing success. There...

‘Cast Chats-Part 1:’ With Members of the Cast of ‘Tartuffe’ at Annapolis Shakespeare Company by Amanda Gunther

Six actors. In search of 11 characters? No, that’s a different story. This is the story of the six actors who are playing 11 roles in the adaptation of Tartuffe currently being presented by the...

‘Behind the Barricades at Toby’s’-Part One: An Interview with Les Misèrables Co-Director Toby Orenstein by Amanda Gunther

The Great Revolution has arrived! The barricade has arisen at Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia with the regional premier of Broadway’s 4th longest running musical, Les Misèrables. Winner of 8 Tony...

An Interview with CATF’s Scenic Designer David M. Barber by Mike Spain

David M. Barber is the Scenic Designer of H2O, Scott and Hem In the Garden of Allah, and Modern Terrorism Or They Who Want To Kill Us And How We Learn To love Them, at this year’s Contemporary...

‘Why A Same-Sex I Do! I Do! Is Important, and Why It Works’ by Director Jack Marshall

How did a theater company that specializes in reviving older, often dated plays and musicals become the first to produce an inclusive I Do! I Do! for a post-DOMA America? I originally told the...

An Interview with Magician Max Major by Eric Denver

With a packed house of 250 audience members, Max Major made his appearance for Arlington, Virginia patrons at the Arlington Drafthouse at 7:30 on June 29, 2013 for a one-night only performance of...

ARTISTIC SPOTLIGHT: An Interview with the Founder and Producing Director of the CATF by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

ARTISTIC SPOTLIGHT: Ed Herendeen “New plays are the future,” says Ed Herendeen, the Producing Director of the Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF), located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia....

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 Playwright’s Playground’: Allyson Currin-Part 2 by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

Welcome back to the new Playwright interview series –The Playwright’s Playground – a monthly in-depth conversation with a local female playwright in the D.C. theatre community. Female theatre artists...

2013 Capital Fringe Show Preview: ‘Moths’: Interview of Stephen Notes by Cate Brewer

Playwright Stephen Notes talks about his Capital Fringe show Moths with Cate Brewer. Cate: Moths is a wild ride for audiences. What inspired the subject of this piece? Stephen: I don’t know probably...

‘The Playwright’s Playground’: Allyson Currin-Part 1 by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

Welcome back to the new Playwright interview series –The Playwright’s Playground – a monthly in-depth conversation with a local female playwright in the D.C. Theatre community. Female Theatre artists...

Jane C. Boyle on Playing Reverend Mother in ‘Nunsense’ at Toby’s Baltimore

The irreverent comedy Nunsense is really serving up the laughs over at Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Baltimore! This sensational summer comedy is bringing a quintet of seriously silly nuns to the stage for...

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...

Cirque Du Soleil’s ‘Quidam’ Comes To The Patriot Center and Interview with Diaboloist William Wei-Liang Lin by Jordan Wright

The critically acclaimed Cirque du Soleil is bringing Quidam to our area next month. The captivating extravaganza which has toured five continents and been seen by millions over its 17-year history,...

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...

An Interview with The Beaux’ Stratagem’s Eric Poch by Amana Gunther

Swash-swash! Buckle-buckle! The clang of highwaymen’s swords are echoing asunder at Everyman Theatre in their production of The Beaux’ Stratagem. I got the chance to sit down with ensemble member Eric...

Bill Payne on Performing at The Birchmere on Sunday, June 23rd

Bill Payne is a founder and piano/keyboard player for the legendary band Little Feat. In his breaks from the band – he has played sessions for musicians like Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor, and The...

An Interview with Bruce Randolph Nelson on ‘The Beaux Stratagem’ at Everyman Theatre by Amanda Gunther

“When a man is courting, his is not himself, he the oil-painting on which the sketch is based.” A witty line of comedy delivered from the lovely character Kate Sullen in Everyman Theatre’s production...

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...

An Interview with Caroline Clay of ‘Clementine and the Lower 9′ at Forum Theatre Pt. 2 by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

Caroline Clay is a phenomenal woman. Her extraordinary acting skills and God’s gift of performance talent are only preceded by her grace, beauty, and kindness Forum Theatre’s Clementine and the Lower...

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...

An Interview with Caroline Clay of ‘Clementine and the Lower 9′ at Forum Theatre Pt. 1 by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

Caroline Clay is a phenomenal woman. Her extraordinary acting skills and God’s gift of performance talent are only preceded by her grace, beauty, and kindness. Caroline plays the title character,...

Chatting with Super Composer Hans Zimmer About ‘Man of Steel’ by Jordan Wright

According to a 2007 British survey Hans Zimmer is considered “one of the world’s 100 living geniuses.” He shares space on the list with the likes of Stephen Hawking, Prince and Philip Glass. Zimmer’s...

An interview with Mark Minnick on Directing ‘Nunsense’ at Toby’s Baltimore by Amanda Gunther

A madcap musical revue is taking to the stage at Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Baltimore. An outrageously hilarious musical featuring 5 singing sisters of the cloth is just the tip of the iceberg as the...

PT. 3: Richard Campbell’s Frankenstein:Landless Making a Monster Rock Opera: Meet Irene Jericho by Ally Jenkins

This is part three in a series of interviews with the cast and creative team behind Landless’ upcoming prog-metal rock opera Richard Campbell’s Frankenstein. Today, meet Irene Jericho. Irene Jericho...

‘Red Bastard’ Returns to the Warehouse Theater June 13-15th by Eric Davis

D.C. is a town that revolves around politics. I don’t consider myself to be a political person, but it has been said to me that this show is extremely political, not the politics of nations, but the...

DCMTA’s Sydney-Chanele Dawkins Interviewed by Jacqueline E. Lawton in “Women Theatre Critics of D.C”

DCMetroTheaterArts’ reviewer Sydney-Chanele Dawkins, who recently interviewed Playwright Jacqueline E. Lawton in a 3-Part Series on DCMTA, was interviewed by Jacqueline E., and the interview was...

‘Fido’s Friends Unleashed’ for Beltway Barks! on 6/8: Part 2: Evan Casey, Sherri L. Edelen, and Bobby Smith

DC Actors for Animals presents: BELTWAY BARKS! Where DC actors help DC animals find forever homes! Lisa Carrier Baker, Founder, Beltway Barks DC Actors for Animals: As I have grown into the DC theatre...

Lights Up on Toby’s ‘In the Heights’ Part 4: Santina Maiolatesi (Daniela) by Amanda Gunther

Tell me something I don’t know! I’m hoping that I’ll get a little bit of news from around the barrio by sitting down with the talented Santina Maiolatesi who plays the sassy Daniela, the neighborhood...

Lights Up on Toby’s ‘In the Heights’ Part 3: Tobias Young (The Piragua Guy) by Amanda Gunther

Es calor! The summer heat is rolling in and Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia is keeping things cool with their production of In The Heights. As the interviews continue, I’ve taken a break from all...

‘The Playwright’s Playground Series’: Jacqueline E. Lawton Part 3 by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

Welcome to the new in-depth interview series ‘The Playwright’s Playground‘ – highlighting local female playwrights in the D.C. Theatre community. Female Theatre artists make up more than 50 percent of...

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...

‘The Playwright’s Playground Series’: Jacqueline E. Lawton Part 2 by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

Welcome to the new in-depth interview series ‘The Playwright’s Playground’ – highlighting local female playwrights in the D.C. Theatre community. Female Theatre artists make up more than 50 percent of...

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...

Alan Ostroff on Investing in ‘Pippin,’ the Tonys, and Infinity Theatre Company’s New Season by Joel Markowitz

Infinity Theatre Company’s Anna Roberts Ostroff and Alan Ostroff are Broadway Producers. Their show Pippin is on a roll with wins at The Outer Critics Circle Awards, Drama League Awards, and Drama...

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...

‘Lights Up on ‘In The Heights’ at Toby’s: Part 2: An Interview With Co-Director Larry Munsey by Amanda Gunther

There are 96,000 things to like about Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia’s production of In The Heights. The Tony Award-Winning musical makes its regional debut at the theatre in the round with...

“Richard Campbell’s Frankenstein: Landless Making a Monster Rock Opera”: Part 1: Robert Bradley by Ally Jenkins

After a brief hiatus from producing theatre in DC, Landless Theatre Company is back to the grindstone with their most ambitious project to date: Richard Campbell’s Frankenstein, a World Premiere...

‘Inside the Music’: An Interview with National Chamber Ensemble Artistic Director Leo Sushansky by Jane Coyne

One of the things I love the most about living in the Washington, D.C. area is that the music never ends, nor does the opportunity to meet the wonderful musical artists who perform here. Among them is...

‘Lights Up on ‘In The Heights’ at Toby’s: Pt. 1: An Interview With David Gregory (Usnavi) by Amanda Gunther

Lights up — this time they’re not just going up on Washington Heights, but on the leading actor of Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia’s regional premier production of In The Heights. In Part 1 in a...

‘The Playwright’s Playground Series’: Jacqueline E. Lawton Part 1 by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

Welcome to the new in-depth interview series The Playwright’s Playground Series, highlighting local female playwrights in the D.C. Theatre community. Female theatre artists make up over fifty percent...

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 Ramin Karimloo on ‘Broadway to Bluegrass’ at The Birchmere this Thursday 5/16 by Flora Scott

If you’re not yet familiar with Ramin Karimloo, best known for his portrayal of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera in London’s West End, his touring show, Broadway...

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...

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...

Playwright Jeff Talbott on Olney Theatre Center’s Production of His Play ‘The Submission’ by Joel Markowitz

Jeff Talbott’s Award-winning The Submission opens at Olney Theatre Center on May 9th. Jeff enlightens us on the history of his play and the new Olney production. Joel: Why did you want to have The...

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...