Reviews

Viva ‘The Revolutionists’ at Colonial Players

An affecting, illuminating production of Lauren Gunderson’s comedy about four brazen women during the French Reign of Terror.

Hear how youth feel about the pandemic in ‘Waiting Room’ from Arena Stage

In a video they devised, young people show the critical thinking, problem solving, and empathy we need to get us out of the mess we are in.

A powerful indictment of racism, in updated ‘Rachel’ from Rapid Lemon

An early 20th-century play set against recent murders of Black men.

Thoroughly enjoyable ‘Toni Stone’ gets a hero’s welcome at Arena Stage

You don’t need to be a baseball fan to be inspired by this amazing story.

‘Working’ rocks Black Lives Matter Plaza with a musical that matters

A gutsy and gifted project called Working in DC puts on an ebullient show to remind us of the everyday dignity of work.

Kennedy Center opens a fantastic ‘Wind in the Door’ for kids

A heartwarming show with a powerful message based on Madeleine L’Engle’s classic.

A vibrant ‘Godspell’ brings back the joy at Toby’s

A lively reprise of the first show on its stage 41 years ago with the parables updated to the minute.

Signature Theatre and Wolf Trap pair perfectly on ‘Broadway in the Park’

A triumphant 90-minute concert headlined by Renée Elise Goldsberry and Brian Stokes Mitchell.

Lakecia Benjamin takes the DC JazzFest stage like a rock star

Her High Priestess of the Sax persona with a Miles Davis sense of cool riveted the pumped-up crowd.

The art of making art: ‘Putting It Together’ by James Lapine (book review)

The making of ‘Sunday in the Park with George’ was not a walk in the park.

A touching ‘Laughter in the Shadow of the Trees’ from Edge of the Universe Players 2

Three of DC’s finest actors in an audio play about family, memories, and mortality.

Free spirit of Bob Marley lifts ‘Three Little Birds’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre

A silly and light children’s musical full of joy and hope.

Mosaic’s searing ‘Keffiyeh/Made in China’ now a single video on demand

Originally seven short episodes, Dalia Taha’s trenchant play about Palestinian life under occupation has been re-released as a 75-minute virtual production.

NextStop’s racy ‘Act of God’ is theater done right-eously

Playing God, Jacob Yeh is a revelation.

Music and joy collide in ‘Making Opera Soup’ from 1st Stage

In her solo performance outdoors, supreme storyteller Lori Brown Mirabal reveals the fun in opera for both children and adults.

‘Steel Magnolias’ at Everyman Theatre is a beauty

Endearingly heartwarming, the production demonstrates the enduring power of friendship and the therapeutic magic of laughter.

A joyous mix of hits by Boney James at the Berks Jazz Fest

But the flow was not there.

Spooky Action’s ridiculous ‘Real Inspector Hound’ is truly heady fun

The perfect play to comment on the bizarre virtual spaces we’ve been in lately.

‘Duck Harbor’ from 1st Stage is a thrilling livestream ride

The 12-episode love story winds up a beautiful and joyous journey.

A nerdy Black son takes a magical trip in ‘Moon Man Walk’ at Constellation

The performances are strong, the script by James Ijames surprises, and the poignant show is so, so satisfying.

Maysa: the voice and face of Berks Jazz Fest

The Baltimore native was special guest vocalist with Pieces of a Dream on opening weekend and brought down the house.

Perisphere Theater’s ‘Time Is On Our Side’ is a fun-filled romp

A secret lesbian history gets revealed in a laugh-your-socks-off comedy by R. Eric Thomas.

Superstar trumpeter Chris Botti opens Berks Jazz Fest

The lyrical legend shared the stage with an international cast of magical musicians.

‘Short Gems’ from Alliance for New Music-Theatre let art into our hearts

Composers and librettists create inspiring short films inspired by artworks at The Phillips.

Dispatch from Glimmerglass on the Grass: ‘Songbird’ and ‘Il Trovatore’

The famous opera festival in Cooperstown, New York, now in its 46th year, has been reimagined as a whole new adventure.

Solas Nua’s ‘Side-Walks’ is a wonderful visual and audible literary experience

A story about finding yourself and your path, engrossing and beautifully told.

Fierce acting envisions Black Pride in ‘The Bluest Eye’ at Dominion Stage

Nobel Prize–winning author Toni Morrison’s story travels back to before Black is Beautiful.

Quotidian’s going-away gift of artistry in ‘The Day Emily Married’

The treasured theater company’s final production is the Horton Foote play it premiered.

A ‘Twelfth Night’ love fest by Her Majesty & Sons, with wit as leitmotif

At the DC War Memorial, genders are bent, love is lost and found, and a good time is had by all.

A mesmerizing and moving ‘R&J’ from Endangered Species (theatre) Project

Designed for Deaf and hearing audiences, with simultaneous voicing and signing, it’s a feast for the eyes and ears.

Black gay men share achingly real truths in ‘The B Word’ from The Welders

A brave new work by Jared Shamberger explores beauty and Blackness.

‘Blackest Battle’ from Theater Alliance is a monumental accomplishment

Psalmayene 24’s graphic novel come to life is delightful in its form and harrowing in its emotional impact.

Sterling Playmakers’ ‘Godspell’ is a heartfelt call for peace in times of strife

The cast shares the musical’s message with the audience in a warm embrace.

Signature’s ‘Detroit ’67’ is a fiery history lesson that grooves and moves

Played out in a basement bunker, this uplifting virtual show spins on nostalgia and desire.

Norm Lewis brings his smooth vocal genius to Wolf Trap

With the National Symphony Orchestra at the performing arts national park, a perfectly cool evening of Broadway hits.

A great night of family-friendly Shakespeare from City of Fairfax Theatre

An impressive outdoor festival showcases six of the Bard’s most famous plays in excerpts performed by an ensemble of mostly young children.

A heart-stopping duel makes ‘Macbeth’ a thriller at American Shakespeare Center

Nothing warms the heart like a brilliantly executed crossing of swords.

Rorschach’s enchanting ‘Distance Frequencies’ ends in beauty and love

Full of mystery, passion, heartache, and hope, the monthslong mailbox story comes to life outdoors.

American Shakespeare Center’s ‘Henry V’ is tremendous fun

In repertory through Thanksgiving, a funky, hilarious, and irreverent take on the Bard.

Big Tony and Trouble Funk bring first Go-Go to Wolf Trap

On the 50th anniversary of the landmark National Park Service music-and-entertainment center, DC’s Official Music takes center stage.

‘Clowntime’ takes down politics with smart snark and belly laughs

Saving the world from its grim humorless political maneuverings through comedy feels right at this moment.

What the fork?! ‘What Comes Next’ picks up where pandemic left us off-kilter

In an era of TikTok attention spans, 21st Century Players’ new audio play is a refreshing dive into storied traditions that came before.

A powerhouse performance in ‘An Almost Holy Picture’ from Everyman

Bruce Randolph Nelson stars as a father whose faith and love are tested in a play full of grace.

Chamber Dance Project takes bold step back to normalcy

An evening of choreography titled ‘Tear the Edge,’ featuring four world premieres, comes to National Cathedral Sunday, July 18.

Monumental’s ‘Songs for a New World’ is breathtaking

These top-tier performers make fabulously good music.

Solas Nua’s award-winning ‘Silent’ to stream July 11 to 18

UPDATE: Solas Nua’s Silent will stream on demand July 11 to 18, 2021, in a film adaptation of the Olivier Award–winning and Helen Hayes Award–winning production last seen live in DC two years ago....

‘Elf the Musical’ at Toby’s Dinner Theatre gives a yuletide gift in July

Postponed from last winter, a spectacularly imaginative show with an exceptionally talented cast.

In Studio’s lyrical ‘Tender Age,’ our country’s crime against migrant kids

George Brant’s play lays out in inescapable terms what the inhumane policy of separating children from their parents means for the moral state of Americans.

An achingly beautiful ‘Last Five Years’ from Constellation Theatre

The solid voices of Adelina Mitchell (as Catherine) and Alex Stone (as Jamie) convey the evening’s exhilaration, hope, and grief.

‘We’re Gonna Die’ at Round House is a thin take on a big theme

After the harrowing events of the last year, the production is a noble effort—but something of a misfire.