Reviews

‘Charlotte’s Web’ at Encore Stage and Studio by Julia L. Exline

Encore Stage and Studio present’s Charlotte’s Web, a beloved children’s tale about bravery and friendship presented for kids, by kids, as the cast and crew are made up entirely of young adults. Seeing...

Coming to The Capital Fringe Festival: ‘DADA Returns’ (20th Anniversary Edition) by John Spitzer

DADA Returns (20th Anniversary Edition) is a piece well worth revisiting. In its crazy maze of poetry and comedy, this gem from 1924 is a true mirror of today’s socioeconomic, geopolitical, and...

‘Suicide, Incorporated’ at No Rules Theatre Company by Katie Elizabeth Quinn

About a third of the way into No Rules Theatre Company’s Suicide, Incorporated, there is a showdown over office supplies at the eponymous organization. Perry (Adam Downs), whose singsong positive...

‘Next to Normal’ at Taking Flight Theatre Company by Lauren Katz

Last night, I witnessed one of the first area Community Theatre productions of the Pulitzer Prize winning and Tony Award-winning musical Next to Normal. After seeing the show on Broadway a few years...

Half-Price Tickets to Tommy Tune Today at 2 & 8 and New Half-Price Theater Tickets

Take advantage of these great half-price theatre ticket deals on GOLDSTAR. By clicking on the link and purchasing tickets, you will be helping to support DC Theater Arts. __ If you haven’t joined...

‘Jekyll and Hyde’ at Act Two @ Levine by Andrew L. Baughman

A great joy of seeing a production at Act Two is the feeling of “discovering” a talented young performer who you just know will someday be a star. An even greater joy is returning to see that...

‘Home of the Soldier’ at Synetic Theater by Amanda Gunther

A stunning performance of heartfelt emotions and war-torn reality comes to Crystal City in Synetic Theater’s new mesmerizing production of Home of the Soldier. A new play created by Paata...

Philadelphia Theatre Review: ‘Tulipomania: The Musical’ at The Arden Theatre Company by Darlene Olsen

The opening performance of Tulipomania: The Musical, on Wednesday evening, May 30, 2012, was introduced with humor and winsomeness by Director and Producing Artistic Director Terrence Nolen, and Amy...

Coming to The Capital Fringe Festival: ‘Beef Encounter’ by Claire Carroll

“Beef Encounter is the only thing ever to have been conceived on a walking holiday,” maintains Claire Carroll. British actress and playwright, Claire, had wanted to go on a cruise to the Norwegian...

‘Guys and Dolls’ at Tantallon Community Players by Amanda Gunther

Luck be a lady if you get tickets to see the Tantallon Community Players production of Guys & Dolls. This little community theatre brings you all the glitz and glory to do Frank Loesser justice on the...

‘Bolshoi Ballet’s Coppélia’ at The Kennedy Center by Carolyn Kelemen

Bolshoi Ballet adds comic flair to Coppélia Subtlety has never been considered a characteristic of the Bolshoi Ballet. The reputation of the 236-year-old Russian company suggests dance that is flashy,...

‘Bachelorette’ at The Studio Theatre by Mariya Danilenko

Bachelorette represents gluttony in a series of plays called Seven Deadly Plays by Leslye Headland. The scene is set in a luxurious New York City hotel room rented by a soon-to-be bride where three of...

‘Sleuth’ at Providence Players of Fairfax by Queen Charlotte Lottie Yard

Mind boggling Caper With a mind boggling, cork-screw twisting crime caper production of Sleuth, Providence Players of Fairfax ends its successful 2011-2012 season with a bang. Under the artistic...

‘The Illusion’ at Forum Theatre by Anne Tsang

Forum Theater’s production of Tony Kushner’s The Illusion, directed by Mitchell Hébert, entrances the audience right from the start. As the magician Alacandre says,“When you start these things, you...

‘Bobby Gould in Hell’ at American Ensemble Theater by Lauren Katz

American Ensemble Theater’s production of Bobby Gould in Hell is the strongest production I have seen in a long time. The witty language, strong acting, and creative set kept me on the edge of my seat...

‘Anything Goes’ at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre by Amanda Gunther

Grab your life jackets, your party boat dress, and climb aboard the S.S. American for a rollicking good time at sea as the Cole Porter classic Anything Goes drifts into the harbor at Annapolis Summer...

‘Ragtime’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse by Amanda Gunther

You’ll get a sensational feeling for that music of the early 1900’s and life in New York City as Ragtime rolls into the Laurel Mill Playhouse to kick off the summer season. Directed by Michael V....

Film Review: ‘I Wish’ by Erica Laxson

I Wish is the truly heartfelt story of two young Japanese boys separated by distance, but connected by their brotherly love. Young Koichi (Ohshiro MAEDA) lives with his mother and her family in...

‘Heidi’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre by Mike Spain

Everything about going to a Fun Company production at Maryland Ensemble Theatre involves having a good time. The afternoon starts on a high note with free face painting before the show begins. Then...

National Theatre Live: ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’ at Shakespeare Theater Company by Bari Biern

Shakespeare Theatre Company recently screened an encore performance of One Man, Two Guvnors broadcast in HD from the National Theatre in London to theatres all over the world. The plot is a bit...

‘The Music Man’ at Arena Stage by Tiffany Draut

She’s done it again! Molly Smith has brought another slice of Americana to The Fichandler, filled with exciting dancing, stunning vocals and performances, and oozing with optimism! From the moment the...

‘Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’ at The Lyric by Carolyn Kelemen

Ailey gets audiences begging for more More than any other major dance company, the world famous Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater attracts an audience looking for a fun night on the town. These fans...

‘The Tooth of Crime’ at WSC Avant Bard by Amanda Gunther

Sam Shepard’s lost play The Tooth of Crime comes to WSC Avant Bard. Directed by Kathleen Akerley this play explores a battle of music, style, motor metaphors, and puts a unique twist on what it’s like...

‘The Wailers’ at Charles Town Races by Mike Spain

The Wailers performed Friday night at The H Lounge located in the middle of Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. Local reggae band Jah Works had the honor to open up for the legendary group. The...

‘Flora The Red Menace’ at First Stage by Amanda Gunther

It’s not every day of the week that you get a rousing musical in depression era New York with love, dancing, communism, and fashion design, but on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 1st Stage you can...

‘Xanadu’ at Signature Theatre by Julia L. Exline

Signature Theatre presents Xanadu, a hilariously decadent treat written by Douglas Carter Beane, with music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, and direction and choreography by Matthew...

‘The Servant of Two Masters’ at Shakespeare Theatre Company

The audience’s laughter was shaking the rafters at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of The Servant of Two Masters. Directed by Christopher Bayes, this brilliant comedy had the audience...

‘The Ice Child’ at Factory 449 by Erica Laxson

Chilling Food For Thought For just a moment, consider the thing you’d hate doing most in the world, for the next 20 years or so, and the only reason you’re thrust into this uncomfortable position is...

‘Las Quiero A Las Dos’ at Teatro de la Luna by Katie Elizabeth Quinn

The bright blue walls and bold geometric shapes of Mario Marcel’s set for Las Quiero A Las Dos give it a heightened, almost cartoonish feel, which proves fitting for Teatro de la Luna’s hundred-minute...

‘You Can’t Take It With You’ at Everyman Theatre by Amanda Gunther

Everyone’s a little embarrassed about their family. But you’ll never meet quite such an eccentric family as The Sycamores, found only at Everyman Theatre’s production of George S. Kaufman and Moss...

‘The Beauty Queen of Leenane’ at Silver Spring Stage by Amanda Gunther

Come take the high road, or in this case Martin McDonagh’s dark and twisty low ride to Leenane county, Ireland and see Silver Spring Stage’s production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Directed by Seth...

‘Punk Rock Mom’ at Venus Theatre by Amanda Gunther

If you’re looking for a show that will truly rock your world – it’s landed at Venus Theatre. This world premiere of Alyson Mead’s Punk Rock Mom is the second show in their 2012 season of Bold Hope and...

NYC Theater Review: ‘Gore Vidal’s The Best Man’ by Bari Biern

On March 31, 1960, Gore Vidal’s political drama, The Best Man, premiered on Broadway. The play was set in two posh hotel suites at a national political convention, as one presidential candidate was...

‘Hair’ at Act Two @ Levine by Lauren Katz

Last night, with their opening performance of Hair, Act Two @ Levine successfully completed a task I thought was impossible: changed my opinion of the 1969 hit musical. With their strong ensemble,...

Film Review: ‘Crooked Arrows’ by Ashunda Norris

Did you know, dear reader, that the sport of lacrosse was created by Native Americans? Well, I sure didn’t until I watched the film Crooked Arrows, which is an educational force as much as it is a...

Film Review:’ Bernie’ by Bari Biern

Not since Mr. Joyboy, the mortuary cosmetician from Evelyn Waugh’s The Loved One, has there been a more memorable mortician than Bernie Tiede. In addition to making the residents of Carthage Texas...

‘Hum’ at Theater Alliance by Joel Markowitz

Tired of all those revivals and multiple productions of classics all around town? Then hop into your Hummer and drive over to Theater Alliance at Atlas Performing Arts Center and see the world...

‘Oxygen’ at Taffety Punk Theatre Company by Lauren Katz

When I walked into a black box theater at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop with nothing but a bed and two microphones on Wednesday night, I honestly did not know what to expect. However, Taffety Punk...

‘The All New, Grand Ole Hee Haw Hootenany Hoe Down Jamboree!’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre by Mike Spain

Director Tad Janes bills The All New, Grand Ole Hee Haw Hootenany Hoe Down Jamboree! as ‘a spoof country variety show.’ It’s really a collection of special guests, bluegrass bands, skits, crowd...

‘The Bacchae’ at WSC Avant Bard by Pat Davis

Until the drumming began and the guitars wound their gypsy music across the stage and members of the chorus began to gyrate, I didn’t realize how much I was longing to see something new. How delighted...

‘Anything Goes’ at Riverside Center Dinner Theater by Julia L. Exline

Riverside Center Dinner Theater presents Anything Goes, an ocean-liner adventure with unforgettable music and lyrics by the renowned Mr. Cole Porter and upbeat song-and-dance numbers. The production...

‘Lonely Planet’ at MetroStage by Mike Spain

Lonely Planet replaced another production at MetroStage which I was looking forward to seeing. As I entered the theatre I knew very little about this play, but I am so glad my editor convinced me to...

‘The Secret Garden’ at St. Mark’s Players by Joel Markowitz

St. Mark’s Players deserves the highest praise for their beautifully directed and performed production of The Secret Garden, which has a lush score by Lucy Simon and lyrics and book by Marsha Norman....

‘Six Degrees of Separation’ at Vpstart Crow Productions by Ashunda Norris

According to an unproven theory, all of us mere mortals are connected to anyone else on the planet through a chain of acquaintances separated by no more than five other people; six degrees of...

‘Going to St. Ives’ at Colonial Players by Amanda Gunther

If you venture to the Colonial Players‘ production of Going To St. Ives, you will find a compelling and engaging drama that captivates the audience and keeps them on the edge of their seats -desperate...

‘Valhella’ at Baltimore Rock Opera Society by Andrew L. Baughman

Great Odin’s Raven! Nothing – and I mean NOTHING – can prepare you for the rock SPECTACLE that is the BROS production of Valhella,now playing at The Autograph Playhouse in Baltimore. From the electric...

‘Young Frankenstein’ at The Lyric Opera House by Amanda Gunther

Baltimore is the happiest town in town because NETworks Presentations LLC made a quick stop at the Patricia & Arthur Modell Performing Arts Center’s Lyric Opera House with the sensational production...

‘Werther’ at Washington National Opera by Teal Ruland

On the surface, Werther is a simple “boy meet girls, boy falls in love with girl three hours later, girl marries someone else, boy dies” story. Like many operas, Werther follows the typical journey of...

‘Company’ at Silhouette Stages by Amanda Gunther

A Sondheim classic takes to the stage at Silhouette Stages in their spring presentation of the Tony Award-winning Company. Co-Directed by Debbie Mobley and Conni Ross, with Musical Direction provided...

‘Emily Loves to Bounce’ at The Kennedy Center by Julia L. Exline

The Kennedy Center presents Emily Loves to Bounce, an energetic mix of light, illusion, music, and mime from Patch Theatre Company of Adelaide, Australia. Set and Lighting Designer Geoff Cobham covers...