Joel Says

The Best of 2012: Part 3: ‘Best Performance by an Actor and Actress in a Musical’

For the next week we will be posting lists of our favorites of 2012 in several categories. These lists reflect the opinions of members of the writing staff of DCMetroTheaterArts. We were allowed to...

The Best of 2012: Part 2: ‘The Best Musicals of 2012’

After reviewing over 1,200 theatrical productions, concerts, and recitals on DCMetroTheaterArts in 2012 – it was no easy task to come up with this list of our ‘Best Musicals of 2012,’ because there so...

My Favorite Quotes From DCMTA’s 5 Star ‘Best Shows’ for December 15-22nd by Joel Markowitz

Here’s my favorite quotes from our 5-star reviews of our ‘Best Shows’ for December 14-21. Here we go! (1) Christmas Gift! at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Audrey Thornton: “Christmas Gift!...

My Favorite Quotes From DCMTA’s 5 Star ‘Best Shows’ for December 8-14th

Here’s my favorite quotes from our 5-star reviews of our ‘Best Shows’ for December 8-14th. Here we go! (1) Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Judy Kuhn at The Kennedy Center. Jennifer Perry: “Likewise, her...

Lauren ‘Coco’ Cohn on Playing Rosie in ‘Mamma Mia!’ on Broadway by Joel Markowitz

There is one performance that I will always remember and that’s Coco Cohn’s performance of three kooky characters in Glimpses of the Moon at MetroStage. I was really happy to find out that Lauren...

Anthony Rapp, Eleasha Gamble, and Heidi Blickenstaff at ArtSpeak Tonight at BCC High School at 7 PM

Tonight at 7 PM at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School – Anthony Rapp (RENT), Heidi Blickenstaff (Title of Show) and Eleasha Gamble (Oklahoma!) will be the special guests at ArtSpeak – a program...

Andrew Varela on Playing Javert in ‘Les Miserables’ at The National Theatre by Joel Markowitz

The 25th Anniversary production of Les Misérables will be playing at The National Theatre from December 13-30th. I am a Les Miz fanatic and have the seen the show over 20 times and one of my all-time...

Daniel Cooney on Playing Bill Austin in ‘Mamma Mia!’ on Broadway by Joel Markowitz

I have been a big fan of Daniel Cooney since I saw him play Edgar Allan Poe and The Baker in Signature Theatre’s productions of Nevermore and Into the Woods. Recently, I was happy to learn that Daniel...

An Interview with E. Faye Butler on Playing Sister Juba in “Pullman Porter Blues’ at Arena Stage by Joel Markowitz

E. Faye Butler returns to Arena Stage as Sister Juba in Pullman Porter Blues. E. Faye fills us in on the history of The Pullman Porters and how they helped African Americans to come into the middle...

DCMTA’S “Favorite Quotes From Our Favorite Shows of the Week” – November 22-29, 2012 by Joel Markowitz

Here’s something new on DCMetroTheaterArts! Every Friday, I will be posting my favorite quotes from our 5-star reviews of the week. Here we go! (1) Dreamgirls at Signature Theatre. Andrew L. Baughman:...

‘They’re the Altar Boyz’ Part Six: Meet Jonathan Walker by Joel Markowitz

Here is Part 6 of our series of behind the scenes interviews with the director and cast of 1st Stage’s Altar Boyz. Now, meet Jonathan Walker. Jonathan: My name is Jonathan Walker and to be honest, I...

Tony Award Winner Duncan Sheik Brings ‘The Sunset Sessions Tour’ to The Birchmere This Sunday at 7:30 PM

Tony Award winner Duncan Sheik (for his score of Spring Awakening) brings his THE SUNSET SESSIONS TOUR to The Birchmere – 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, in Alexandria, VA at 7:30 PM. Joining him will be...

‘They’re the Altar Boyz’ Part Five: Meet BJ Gruber by Joel Markowitz

Here is Part 5 of our series of behind the scenes interviews with the director and cast of 1st Stage’s Altar Boyz. Now, meet BJ Gruber. BJ: My name is BJ Gruber and I’ve been acting professionally for...

E. Faye Butler on Playing Sister Juba in ‘Pullman Porter Blues’ at Arena Stage by Joel Markowitz

E. Faye Butler returns to Arena Stage as Sister Juba in Pullman Porter Blues. E. Faye fills us in on the history of The Pullman Porters and how they helped African Americans to come into the middle...

‘They’re the Altar Boyz’ Part Four: Meet Derek Tatum by Joel Markowitz

Here is Part 4 of our series of behind the scenes interviews with the director and cast of 1st Stage’s Altar Boyz. Now, meet Derek Tatum. Derek: My name is Derek John Tatum and I am originally from...

Catherine Flye on Playing Mrs. Higgins in ‘My Fair Lady’ at Arena Stage by Joel Markowitz

When I heard that Molly Smith was bringing My Fair Lady to Arena Stage this season, a friend of mine and I had a conversation of “Let’s cast the show.” When it came to the role of Mrs. Higgins we both...

Actor John Dow on Appearing in ‘Heroes’ at Everyman Theatre by Joel Markowitz

Luck usually doesn’t strike twice, but that’s exactly what happened to veteran actor John Dow when he got cast in two productions of Tom Stoppard’s Heroes. Why did you want to be part of this...

Bill Largess on ‘Mary Rose’ at Rep Stage by Joel Markowitz

Bill Largess is a busy man. He’s a teacher, Artistic Director, and an actor, and is now appearing in Mary Rose at Rep Stage. What is Mary Rose about and why did you want to be in this production? Mary...

‘They’re the Altar Boyz’ Part Two: Meet Zack Powell by Joel Markowitz

Here is Part 2 of our series of behind the scenes interviews with the director and cast of 1st Stage’s Altar Boyz. Meet Zack Powell. I’m Zack Powell. I am a 26 years old white male, dashing,...

Doing the Timewarp: Meet the Cast of Washington Savoyards ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ Part Seven: Chad W. Fornwalt

Here’s Part Seven of meeting the cast of The Washington Savoyard’s The Rocky Horror Shows. Today: meet Chad W. Fornwalt. I am Chad W. Fornwalt (Brad). I am happy to be working with Washington...

Doing the Timewarp: Meet the Cast of Washington Savoyards ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ Part Six: Danny Tippett

Here’s Part Six of meeting the cast of The Washington Savoyard’s The Rocky Horror Shows. Today: meet Danny Tippett. My name is Danny Tippett. I appeared most recently in Legally Blonde the Musical at...

Composer and Musician Tom Teasley on ‘The Conference of the Birds’ by Joel Markowitz

Tom Teasley is not only a brilliant composer, musician, and performer, but he is one of the nicest people in our theatre community. He is full of passion and energy and watching him perform in a show...

Doing the Timewarp: Meet the Cast of Washington Savoyards ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ Part Five: Caroline Wolfson

Here’s Part Five of meeting the cast of The Washington Savoyard’s The Rocky Horror Shows. Today: meet Caroline Wolfson. I’m Caroline Wolfson and this is my DC professional debut. I just graduated in...

Doing the Timewarp: Meet the Cast of Washington Savoyards ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ Part Four: Ryan Patrick Welsh

Here’s Part Four of meeting the cast of The Washington Savoyard’s The Rocky Horror Shows. Today: meet Ryan Patrick Welsh. My name is Ryan Patrick Welsh. I graduated from Catholic University’s musical...

Meet The ‘Big Kids’ by Joel Markowitz

As Big, The Musical-TYA concludes its run this weekend at Adventure Theatre-MTC, I had a chance to interview the five talented young members of the cast: Brendan DeBonis, Marley McKay, Maya Brettell,...

Meet Into the Woods’ Alexandra Pool, Matt Succi, Matthew Lincoln-Bugg & Rafael Medina @ George Mason University

Journey into the woods as we meet four cast members – Alexandra Pool, Matt Succi, Matthew Lincoln-Bugg & Rafael Medina – of George Mason University’s production of Into the Woods, playing this weekend...

‘Into the Woods’ Brittany Martz, Jacob Lash, Kate Merryman, and Miranda Carver at George Mason University

Journey into the woods as we meet four cast members – Brittany Martz, Kate Merryman, Jacob Lash, and Miranda Carver – of George Mason University’s production of Into the Woods, playing this weekend at...

Meet Kyle Imperatore (Baker) and Cara Pellegrino (Baker’s Wife) of George Mason University’s ‘Into the Woods’

Meet The Baker and The Baker’s Wife in George Mason University’s production of Into the Woods. My name is Kyle Imperatire. I am 19 years old and I grew up in the town of Mastic Beach on Long Island,...

Let’s Rally Behind Spooky Action Theater!

Today I received an email from Julie Jacobson who informed me and the theatre community that ‘neighborhood opposition’ could lose Spooky Action Theater their home in the Universalist National Memorial...

Doing the Timewarp: Meet the Cast of Washington Savoyards’ ‘The Rocky Horror Show’: Part Three: Aaren Keith

Here’s Part Three of meeting the cast of The Washington Savoyard’s The Rocky Horror Shows. Today: meet Aaren Keith. I am Aaren Keith. I recently graduated and made the move to DC to be a part of...

‘Going Into the Woods’: Part Two: Musical Director Dennis M. Layendecker by Joel Markowitz

Dr. Dennis M. Layendecker, director of the School of Music and University Heritage Chair of Music, will conduct the Mason Symphony Orchestra for George Mason University’s Department of Theater and...

An interview with Kristofer and Rolando Sanz on Young Artists of America’s Upcoming Season by Joel Markowitz

Young Artists of America, which was founded just over a year ago by Artistic Director Rolando Sanz, Music Director Kristofer Sanz, and Executive Director Jane Coyne, provides opportunities for high...

Parker Esse on Directing and Choreographing Catholic University’s ‘Finian’s Rainbow’ by Joel Markowitz

Choreographer Parker Esse who was the recipient of a Helen Hayes Award for his high-kickin’, foot-stompin’, hand-clappin’ choreography for Arena Stage’s Oklahoma!, is back in town to direct and...

Doing the Time Warp: Meet the Cast of Washington Savoyards’ “The Rocky Horror Show”: Part 2: John Loughney

In Part Two of a series of interviews with the cast of Washington Savoyards’The Rocky Horror Show – we meet John Loughney, who is playing Riff Raff. Joel: Why did you want to be part of this...

‘Going Into the Woods’ at George Mason University: Part One: Director Ken Elston by Joel Markowitz

Director Ken Elston talks about his vision and introduces us to the cast and designers of George Mason University’s Department of Theater and School of Music‘s collaborative production of Stephen...

Mary Bridget Davies on playing Janis Joplin in ‘One Night With Janis Joplin’ at Arena Stage by Joel Markowitz

I could not believe what I was seeing and hearing when I attended One Night with Janis Joplin last week at Arena Stage. Mary Bridget Davies gives one of the most amazing performances I had ever seen...

Doing the Time Warp: Meet the Cast of Washington Savoyards’ “The Rocky Horror Show”: Part One: Autumn Seavy

In Part One of a series of interviews with the cast of Washington Savoyaards’ The Rocky Horror Show – we meet Autumn Seavey, who is playing Magenta. My name is Autumn Seavey, and since moving to the...

Meet the Young Cast Members of Olney Theatre Center’s ‘Over the Tavern’ – Part Four: Connor Aikin

Joel: This is the final interview in our series “Meet the Young Cast Members of Olney Theatre Center’s Over the Tavern.” We end today with the eldest son. Connor: I’m Connor Aikin and I’m 16 years...

Producer Larry Kaye on the Broadway-bound ‘The Velocity of Autumn,’ & Molly Smith’s Broadway Directorial Debut

It was announced today that Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons and Two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Spinells will be starring in Eric Coble’s new play The Velocity of Autumn and Arena Stage’s...

Meet the Young Cast Members of Olney Theatre Center’s ‘Over the Tavern’ – Part Three: Christopher Cox

In Part 3 of 4 interviews with the young cast of Olney Theatre Center’s Over the Tavern – Christopher Cox talks about playing Georgie. I am Christopher Cox, and I am 15 years old. I began acting at...

‘Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart’ at The Music Center at Strathmore by Joel Markowitz

When you think you know someone, all of a sudden you are introduced to another side of that person you didn’t know about – and you are thrilled! That’s what happened last night when Broadway legend...

Meet the Young Cast of Olney Theatre Center’s ‘Over the Tavern’ – Part Two: Corrieanne Stein by Joel Markowitz

This is the second of four interviews with the young cast members of Olney Theatre Center’s Over the Tavern. Today, Corrieanne Stein tells us about playing the young sister in the Pazinski family....

The 2012 Barrymore Awards Announced by Joel Markowitz

With the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia dissolving this year, this year’s Barrymore Awards may be the final year for Philadelphia’s awards that honor excellence in theatre. I am hoping that...

‘Meet the Young Cast of Olney Theatre Center’s ‘Over The Tavern’: Part One: Noah Chiet by Joel Markowitz

In Part One of four interviews with the young cast members of Olney Theatre Center’s production of Over the Tavern, Noah Chiet talks about playing Rudy Pazinski – his first lead role in a local...

Bobby Smith on ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’ at MetroStage by Joel Markowitz

In Part Four of interviews with the cast of MetroStage’s Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Bobby Smith talks about performing in MetroStage’s production. Joel: Why did you want to be...

Director Jason Loewith on ‘Time Stands Still’ at Everyman Theatre by Joel Markowitz

Jason Loewith is directing the critically acclaimed production of Time Stands Still at Everyman Theatre. Jason talks about his vision for the production, and how his cast and design team brought his...

Bayla Whitten on ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’ by Joel Markowitz

In Part Three of interviews with the cast of MetroStage’s Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Bayla Whitten talks about performing in MetroStage’s production. Joel: Why did you want to...

Free Concert TONIGHT at 6 PM at Lincoln Center To Honor Composer Paul Scott Goodman

If you are in NYC, TONIGHT at 6 PM you are invited to attend a FREE concert honoring the work of Paul Scott Goodman (ROOMS: A Rock Romance; Bright Lights, Big City; Metropolitan Music; and Him & Her)...

Sam Ludwig on ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’ at MetroStage by Joel Markowitz

Here is an interview with Sam Ludwig in Part Two of interviews with the cast of MetroStage’s Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. Joel: Why did you want to be part of the MetroStage...

Natascia Diaz on ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’ at MetroStage by Joel Markowitz

Here is Part One of interviews with the cast of MetroStage’s Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. To begin our series, here is the chanteuse magnifique – Natascia Diaz! Joel: Why did...