Reviews

‘Hairspray’ at Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Baltimore by Amanda Gunther

Get ready Baltimore – Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Baltimore is welcoming you to the 60’s with their fabulously fantastic production of the Tony Award-winning Musical Hairspray. Baltimore’s iconic musical...

‘Incorruptible’ at The University of Maryland Baltimore County by Amanda Gunther

The Dark Ages bring about a plethora of negative connotations: plague, pestilence, death, etc. But if I told you there was comedy to be found amid this dreary bleak time perhaps you might be the one...

Film Review: ‘Blue Like Jazz’ by Bari Biern

Steve Taylor directs this indie film, adapted from a 2003 memoir by American author, Don Miller. In Blue Like Jazz, nineteen-year-old Miller (Marshall Allman) is a dedicated parishioner who volunteers...

‘Come Fly Away’ at The Kennedy Center by David Friscic

Twyla Tharp, the innovative dance pioneer and Kennedy Center Honors recipient, joins forces with the smooth, lush, and swinging vocals of Frank Sinatra to conceive the glorious and witty homage to...

‘The Music of Bill Monroe with Rowan, Rice, McCourys’ at The Music Center at Strathmore by Mike Spain

Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, and The Travelin’ McCourys, who are some of the biggest names in Bluegrass came together to honor Bill Monroe at The Music Center at Strathmore in a program called The Music of...

Tenor Jesús Daniel Hernández on ‘De Mi Corazón Latino [From My Latin Heart]’ at The In Series by Joel Markowitz

Not only does Jesús Daniel Hernández posses a beautiful tenor voice, he also has a remarkable story to tell about his life, his training, being discovered, and his career. Jesús tells us about De Mi...

‘Crown of Shadows: the wake of odysseus’ at Round House Theatre by Pat Davis

Crown of Shadows: the wake of odysseus, written by Jason Gray Platt and premiering at Round House Theatre, is witty and surprising. Gray Platt, at twenty-seven, is already quite accomplished, with an...

‘Working – A Musical’ at The Keegan Theatre by Doug Poms

The Keegan Theatre brings to Washington the not-often performed musical, Working – A Musical, a show based on the well-known book of the same name from the 1970s by Studs Terkel that features a series...

‘Arias with a Twist’ at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company by Amanda Gunther

A enticing invitation for your imagination’s indulgence comes to you from Wooly Mammoth Theatre Company’s production of Arias With A Twist. It’s an explosion of creativity when the minds of Joey...

‘Frost/Nixon’ at The Vagabond Players by Amanda Gunther

“…Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow.” Those words that shook a nation when uttered from 37th President of the United States Richard Nixon are now coming to life as...

‘Enchanted April’ at Silver Spring Stage by Amanda Gunther

Let enchantment bridge the gap between your befores and afters at the Silver Spring Stage’s production of Enchanted April. Directed by Laurie T. Freed this fun little comedy is perfect for springtime....

‘The Pirates of Penzance’ at The Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre by Julia L. Exline

Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre reprises Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, a two-act operetta that was first produced in December of 1879, and still proudly remains in production to this day,...

The Male and Female ‘The Odd Couple” at Sterling Playmakers by Queen ‘Lottie’ Yard

Sterling Playmakers delivers a one-two punch with Lora Buckman’s production of both the male and female versions of The Odd Couple. Written by Neil Simon, the Tony Award-winning play, The Odd Couple,...

‘Aida’ at The Lopez Conservatory Program by Mike Spain

The Lopez Conservatory Program production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s musical Aida demonstrated they can produce talented young actors who will have bright futures in theatre. After watching the show...

Strathmore Presents: ‘Joshua Bell and Academy of St. Martin in the Fields’ by Jane Coyne

(Actually, 5 stars muliplied to infinity) Joshua Bell and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields came to Strathmore on Friday April 13, 2012 at 8pm. They were so fabulously pure and good that the...

‘Hello Dolly’ at Spotlighters Theatre by Amanda Gunther

Put on your Sunday clothes and head down to Spotlighters Theatre to see a great classic revived to its glory days in their production of Hello, Dolly! Directed by Fuzz Roark, this Broadway sensation...

‘Baby’ at Rockville Musical Theatre by Joel Markowitz

Rockville Musical Theatre is performing the musical Baby in the intimate The Gaithersburg Arts Barn. The show has a score by David Shire and lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. and a book by Sybille...

‘Sleeping Beauty’ at The Kennedy Center by Mike Spain

David Gonzalez presents a version of Sleeping Beauty the audience has not seen or heard before. Gonzalez follows in the footsteps of others – like Disney and The Grimm Brothers – who have added their...

‘John & Beatrice’ at The Hub Theatre by Pat Davis

The Hub Theatre’s production of John & Beatrice is riveting. The play is funny, poetic, suspenseful, and deep. A young woman advertises that she is an heiress who has never loved anyone and says she...

‘Emily Skinner’ at The Barbara Cook Spotlight Series at The Kennedy Center by David Friscic

Broadway musical singer and stage actress Emily Skinner dazzled the crowd at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theatre Friday evening, April 13th, for a scintillating set of 13 songs interspersed with...

‘ALICE (in wonderland)’ at The Washington Ballet by Carolyn Kelemen

Alice (in La La Land) takes us on a heady trip Moments before last night’s world premiere of ALICE (in wonderland), Septime Webre bounced onto the Eisenhower Theater stage as he has done so many times...

‘The Soldier’s Dream’ at Iron Crow Theatre Company by Amanda Gunther

The precarious balance of a family on the edge of loss is a profound thing. Their struggle to come to terms with what is happening and how to fill the void of the loved one that is dearly departing is...

Anna Caterina Antonacci at The Kennedy Center by Simon Chin

If Anna Caterina Antonacci had taken a more conventional path, the Italian soprano would likely be enjoying the peak of a major international career. She possesses a remarkable vocal instrument,...

‘Pinocchio’ at The Puppet Co. by Julia L. Exline

The Puppet Co. presents Pinocchio, the classic story of a wooden puppet’s adventurous quest to become a real, live boy! Directed by Allan Stevens, this production is recommended to be enjoyed by...

‘The Whipping Man’ at Centerstage by Amanda Gunther

They say it’s the dark tales that start out on stormy nights and this story is no exception. Centerstage’s production of Matthew Lopez’s The Whipping Manis a chilling tale of justice and freedom come...

‘The Seafarer’ at Scena Theatre by Kevin O’Connell

In Conor McPherson’s The Seafarer, Richard Harkin says of his brother, Sharky, “It’s a well-known fact in this whole area that my brother has that rare gift which is, unfortunately, the opposite of...

Film Review: ‘JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI’ by Bari Biern

His restaurant seats ten. He serves no appetizers, no side dishes, no desserts. He consistently earns three Michelin stars, a rating that implies that the dining experience alone is worth a trip to...

’35mm: A Musical Exhibition’ at Stillpointe Theatre Initiative by Amanda Gunther

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, but what about a song? Can one picture inspire a song? How about fifteen photos? Each photo creates a different song completely disconnected from the other...

Introducing ‘Capital Sound’ on DC Theater Arts by Mike Spain

Welcome to Capital Sound! My new column will focus on covering the music scene in the local area around Washington,, DC. Any night one can hear the rhythms and beats seeping out of the countless...

Strathmore Presents: ‘Kevin Costner and Modern West’ on Thursday, April 5, 2012 by Jane Coyne

Kevin Costner brought his band Modern West to Strathmore on Thursday night. Kevin Costner … as in Academy and Golden Globe Award winning actor, as in Dances with Wolves, The Body Guard, Field of...

‘Rapunzel’ at Imagination Stage by Julia L. Exline

Imagination Stage presents Rapunzel, a musical fairytale adventure, with Book and Lyrics by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, and Music by Michael Skloff. Director Kathryn Chase Bryer gives a unique...

‘SPIDERMUSICAL: A Second Chance for Awesome’ at Landless Theatre Company by Amanda Gunther

Look up in the sky! Slinging through the trees! It’s a bird – it’s a plane – it’s – a nerdy teenage boy in a comical musical farce? Yes! Our Spidey senses are tingling! You read it here first...

‘The Wizard of Oz’ at Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia by Amanda Gunther

Follow the yellow brick road. Follow the yellow brick road. Follow follow follow follow follow the yellow brick road all the way to Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia, as they present the timeless...

New York City Ballet at The Kennedy Center by Carolyn Kelemen

New York City Ballet Carries on the Message of the Master Ballet troupes have their ups and downs and dancers come and go, but the New York City Ballet soars high and steady because of a dance style...

‘Be Careful! The Sharks Will Eat You!’ at MetroStage by Doug Poms

Be Careful! The Sharks Will Eat You! currently in performances at MetroStage in Alexandria, Virginia, is a wonderful, winning one-man show written and performed by veteran stage and television actor,...

‘Long Day’s Journey Into Night’ at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater by Amanda Gunther

The capitol-wide Eugene O’Neill Festival continues its journey with another classic presented at Arena Stage. This time be prepared to enter a day in the life of the Tyrone Family in O’Neill’s Long...

Parallel Exit Physical Comedy Presents ‘Exit Stage Left’ Tomorrow Saturday April 7th

Parallel Exit Physical Comedy Theatre has made an international name for itself while bringing its unique brand of physical comedy to festivals around the world. Following in the footsteps of Buster...

An Interview with Playwright and Novelist Jessica McHugh by Teresa McCormick Ertel

Teresa: You and I met just before the opening of your first play, Fools Call It Fate, which is a psychological drama about destiny and choices. How did seeing your work live on stage impact you...

‘Memphis’ at Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center by Amanda Gunther

Coming to you live from the center of your radio dial – the most sensational show hot off Broadway to hit your Hippodrome Theatre stage – Broadway Across America presents Memphis! The winner of four...

‘Strange Interlude’ at Shakespeare Theatre Company by Simon Chin

Eugene O’Neill, as Stephen Sondheim has written, was an experimental playwright whose theatrical ambition soared far above his literary accomplishment, which often remained earthbound. Strange...

‘Red Riding Hood: A New Fable’ at Olney Theatre Center by Amanda Gunther

Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go as The Olney Theatre Center presents Red Riding Hood: A New Fable. A rollicking twist on this classic Brothers Grimm tale, the...

‘Young Olympians and the Most Amazingly Awesome Adventure Ever!’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre by Mike Spain

The fun starts at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s Fun Company’s production of The Young Olympians and the Most Amazingly Awesome Adventure Ever! before we ever take our seats. The usher directs us...

‘Hopa Tropa Kukerica!’ at Ambassador Theater by Julia Exline

Under the patronage of the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ambassador Theater presents Hopa Tropa Kukerica!, an authentic celebration of Bulgarian culture! Lilia Slavova wrote and directedhis...

‘Strathmore Presents: Patti LaBelle’ on Friday, March 30, 2012 by Jane Coyne

The one and only Patti LaBelle returned to The Music Center at Strathmore on Friday, March 30, 2012, where she promptly and proudly announced that she was 67 years old and “in it to win.” She wasn’t...

On the Waterfront at American Century Theater by Eric Denver

American Century Theater (ACT) is currently producing a powerful production of On the Waterfront – about the shenanigans of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the resultant...

‘A Girl Named Destiny’ at Venus Theatre by Amanda Gunther

Genergy. noun – The study of male and female energies – gender energies – as applicable to roles presented on the stage. This concept is thoroughly explored and developed through Venus Theatre’s world...

‘Frozen’ at Rockville Little Theatre by Amanda Gunther

Humanity in its rarest form comes to light in the Rockville Little Theatre’s presentation of Frozen by Bryony Lavery. Directed by Kevin O’Connell, this play focuses on the dramatic relationship...

‘The Taming of the Shrew’ at Synetic Theater by Natalie McCabe

There is a fine, fine line between loving and loathing, in the “interplay of joy and darkness,” as Director Paata Tsikurishvili, and Founding Artistic Director, and CEO of Synetic Theater so elegantly...

‘Side Man’ at 1st Stage by Julia L. Exline

1st Stage presents Side Man, a powerful play by Warren Leight about a jazz trumpeter’s insatiable passion for his music, and its destructive effect on his family. Directed by Michael Dove, this is a...

‘The Belle of Amherst’ at Bay Theatre Company by Amanda Gunther

“A word is dead when it is said,” some say. Emily Dickinson says that it just begins to live that day. And there are many words that are given great life, even a few worth tipping your hat to in The...