Reviews

Review: ‘William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged)’ at Folger Theatre

Whatever you’re doing, stop now. Run – do not walk; run – to Folger Theatre for the glorious ray of sunshine that is William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged). Created by the Reduced...

Review: ‘Godspell’ at Popes Head Players

Godspell is the inaugural productiom for Popes Head Players in Fairfax, VA. Conceived from a love for performing arts and outreach, Sovereign Grace Church’s high school drama troupe started almost a...

Review: ‘The School for Scandal’ at The Lucille Lortel Theatre in NYC

I doubt if in 1777 Richard Brinsley Sheridan was giving much thought to whether or not his comedy of manners would have any relevance to New York audiences in 239 years. But here he is again, at the...

Review: ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’ at City of Fairfax Theatre Company

Truth and illusion, George; You don’t know the difference. This line in the third act of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? best shows the play’s major theme: what is truth and what is...

Review: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at The Little Theatre of Alexandria

Nestled into a quiet corner of Old Town Alexandria, the production of Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird (adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel) at The Little Theatre of Alexandria was...

Review: Theater Triebewerk’s ‘Moby Dick’ at The Kennedy Center

A big theatrical story created on a small space is no easy matter. For the too-short stay of Moby Dick at the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences, it was accurate what the Kennedy Center staff...

Review: ‘Looking for Roberto Clemente’ at Imagination Stage

Searching for something fun, informative, and meaningful to do with the family this spring? Imagination Stage’s current production of Looking for Roberto Clemente is a touching show centered on a...

Review: ‘The Flying Dutchman’ at Virginia Opera

How should we deal with the storms of life? Should we go through life content and yet oblivious to the suffering of ourselves and others? Or, do we allow ourselves psychic disturbance over the plight...

Review: ‘The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Stupid Fairy Tales’ at The Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia

If you think that happy endings, moral lessons, and the power of goodness magically triumphing over the forces of evil are the stuff fairy tales are made of, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Stupid...

Review: DEMO: Place with Damian Woetzel starring Lil Buck at The Kennedy Center

Damian Woetzel’s DEMO Place starring Lil Buck uses art as a platform to explore geographical locations in the midst of authentic human emotions. A 90-minute jam session of dance, music, and dramatics,...

Review: ‘Machinal’ at Ego Po Classic Theater in Philadelphia

“Crimes of Passion” have always stimulated audiences, and America in the 1920’s had one of the great ones. Ruth Synder killed her loathsome husband with the help of her boyfriend. Both were convicted...

Review: ‘C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert’ at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Lansburgh Theatre

Believe it or not, this is one terrific piece of theater. It’s a one-man play about an influential, world-class thinker that’s every bit as smart, fascinating, and satisfying as the best such solo...

Review: ‘Our Town’ at Reston Community Players

When I walked into the Reston Community Center at approximately 7:30 to see Reston Community Players’ production of Our Town, there was an immediate sense of theatricality that was taking effect. As I...

Review: ‘Heartbreak House’ At Britches and Hose Theater Company

Most community theatres would probably not opt to present George Bernard Shaw’s Heartbreak House. It’s a long, thorny play, a derivative of Chekhov’s Cherry Orchard, subtitled A Fantasia in the...

An Interview with Villanova Theatre’s ‘Translations’ Director Valerie Joyce: Part 1: The Irish Chekhov

Villanova University, with its long theater tradition, has fostered not only the classics, but Irish theater for many years. To honor the 100-year anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin,...

Review: ‘Pride and Prejudice’ at The Catholic University of America’s Drama Department

On Queen Elizabeth’s birthday, CUADrama opens one of the most iconic English-language stories in the canon, Pride and Prejudice. Darcy and Elizabeth get a brand new Pop Art twist in this refreshing...

Review: ‘Sex with Strangers’ at Philadelphia Theatre Company

You’d probably expect a play with a title like Sex with Strangers to be provocative, entertaining and, well, sexy. And Laura Eason’s play is all that and then some. It’s not a perfect play; it tends...

Review: ‘1776’ at The Media Theatre in Media, PA

We all know that the Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents ever written. But have you ever actually tried to read it? Pretty boring, right? Who would expect such a dry...

Review: ‘Time Stands Still’ at Fells Point Corner Theatre

Dramaturgical notes in the program tell us that Time Stands Still is “essentially a love story.” But it’s also a play about war. And art. And economics. And politics. And publishing. And privilege....

Review: ‘The Mystery of Love & Sex’ at Signature Theatre

Do you want to feel good? Do you want to forget for a couple of hours the political hate speech that’s currently filling the airways, or the vast economic inequality and the rise of a political...

Review: Classical Guitarist Mark Edwards at Columbia Festival of the Arts

The Columbia Festival of the Arts under Executive Director Todd Olson, presented a Mark Edwards, Classical Spanish Guitar at the historical Oliver’s Carriage House on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Mark...

‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ Continues its Run at Penn State’s Centre Stage

In 1895, modernist critics were unhappy with Oscar Wilde’s less-than politically-challenging plot from, The Importance of Being Earnest. Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw wished to be “moved to...

Review: The Art of Comedy’ at Platform Arts Center

Approximately once a month – twice, if they feel like it – a group of comedians gets together at the Platform Arts Center in Baltimore, and perform to a packed house for free. Let me repeat that –...

Review: The Great American Rep: ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ at Everyman Theatre

As the centerpiece of its 25th Anniversary Season, Baltimore’s Everyman Theatre has taken on the daunting task of mounting what are arguably the two greatest American plays ever written, Arthur...

Review: ‘Evita’ at the Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre

A Touch of Star Quality at Spotlighters Evita opened to a sold-out house on Friday night at Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre. Fans of the popular Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber collaboration can thank...

Review: ‘Dos Por Uno’ at The Columbia Festival of the Arts’ ‘Viva La Vida’

The Columbia Festival of the Arts under Executive Director, Todd Olson, presented an evening of Latin American music, Dos Por Uno on Saturday, April 16, 2016, featuring the bands Las Cafeteras and La...

Review: ‘Forever Plaid’ at Montgomery Theater in Souderton, PA

Equipped with a catalog of familiar tunes and the indelible spirit of yesteryear, the eternal charm of Forever Plaid shines in a delightful new production at Montgomery Theater. Under the direction...

Review: ‘Ragtime’ at Memorial Players

Both E.L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel, Ragtime, and the musical adaptation of the same name, with Book by Terrence McNally, Music by Stephen Flaherty, and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, currently playing at...

Review: ‘Laughter and Reflection with Carol Burnett-A Conversation Where the Audience Asks the Questions’ at Strathmore

Comedienne extraordinaire Carol Burnett brought her distinctive and legendary persona to the Music Center at Strathmore last night and the audience responded with glee and deserved appreciation....

Review: ‘Middletown’ at Lumina Studio Theatre

Middletown is a series of vignettes powered by a strong ensemble Middletown, which played at The Silver Spring Black Box Theater through April 17th was a glorious, energetic crowd pleaser. Directed by...

Review: ‘Cloud Nine’ at Gallaudet University Theatre and Dance Program

Caryl Churchill’s Cloud Nine, which premiered in London in 1979, is rightly considered a landmark play. It’s pivotal for me personally as well, ever since I saw the legendary Tommy Tune production...

Review: ‘Beowulf/Grendel’ at Renegade Theatre Company in Philadelphia

There are two sides to every story—every conflict, every bit of gossip, and even the seemingly straightforward story of Beowulf. In Renegade Theatre Company’s production, Beowulf/Grendel, you get a...

Review: ‘Detroit ’67’ at Centerstage

Centerstage closes out its 2015/16 season, culminating with internationally award-winning playwright/actress/television writer Dominique Morisseau’s powerful period piece Detroit ’67. Set during the...

Review: ‘The Father’ at Manhattan Theatre Club in NYC

Floria Zeller, the French playwright might have called his play The Father In Winter, for The Lion in Winter was already taken. In this one act and 90-minute tragedy, adapted from the French by...

Review: ‘Twelfth Night’ at The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre

There are few plays in the Shakespearean canon as beloved as Twelfth Night. It’s a comedy that uses mistaken identities, trickery, and a healthy dose of romance to captivate its audience. And it’s one...

Review: ‘Innovations 2016’ at Ballet Theatre of Maryland

There could not be a more apt title for Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s current production than Innovations 2016. This performance of five original works is both timeless and fresh. From traditional...

Review: ‘Macbeth’ at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company

Macbeth: A Bloody Good Show In his time, Macbeth was a successful, lauded warrior. He owned a castle and had an attractive wife whose ravenous ambitions, drive and ego matched his own. Neither was...

Review: ‘The Mousetrap’ at Prince George’s Little Theatre

The Mousetrap Weaves a Tangled Patchwork of Suspense The Mousetrap, now playing at Bowie Playhouse and produced by Prince George’s Little Theatre, is a purist’s take on late mystery writer Agatha...

Review: Buddy Guy and The Damn Right Blues Band at The State Theatre

Buddy Guy is a man who does not act his age of 79 years young! He is a cool cat and an American blues legend. He played to an enthusiastic capacity crowd Wednesday night at the State Theatre and the...

Review: ‘Peter Pan’ at Toby’s Dinner Theatre

Toby’s Dinner Theatre has every right to crow about its new staging of Peter Pan. The classic Broadway musical based on James M. Barrie’s 1904 evergreen is deceptively simple — after all, at heart...

‘Come to The Silhouette Stages Cabaret’ on 4/23@8pm @Slayton House

The Silhouette Players – more known for their wonderful musicals – will be presenting a evening of entertainment and fun at Cabaret Night on April 23, 2016 at 8PM at Slayton House – 10400 Cross Fox...

Review: ‘The Color Purple’ at The Bernard Jacobs Theatre in NYC

This revival of The Color Purple opened at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre on Broadway in December of 2015 but I wasn’t able to get to it until tonight, in the fourth month of its successful run. It had...

Review: ‘Translations’ at Villanova University in Villanova, PA

One hundred years ago a group of Irish poets, musicians and classical scholars rebelled against English rule. The “Easter Uprising” was cruelly subdued by the occupying British, but this being...

Review: ‘Seussical the Musical’ at Charm City Players

Seussical The Musical opened on March 12, 2016, in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Auditorium at Mercy High School for 6 performances only. If you are not kicking yourself for not finding the time to...

Review: ‘Legally Blonde’ at Thomas S. Wootton High School

Looking for and evening non-stop fun? Well look no further than the Wootton High School’s performance of Legally Blonde: The Musical. Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and movie adaptation of 2001,...

Review: ‘Oedipus ROX!’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre

Take one-part glam rock, one-part Mad Max: Beyond Thunder Dome, and one-part A Clockwork Orange, and you have Oedipus ROX! at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre. Oedipus ROX! is a modern Rock musical...

‘My Queer Body’ at The Rainbow Theatre Project

Inside the beltway bubble of local theater making, it’s easy to forget how many U.S. citizens are indifferent, if not antipathetic, to live theater. Mainly they express this by voting with their...

Review: ‘Chronicle of a Death Foretold’ at GALA Hispanic Theatre

On the day they were going to kill him, Santiago Nasar got up at five thirty in the morning… So begins one of the most powerful works of literature ever written. Chronicle of a Death Foretold was...

Review: ‘Enchanted April’ at Greenbelt Arts Center

Are you ready to ditch this cold, rainy weather we’ve had and enjoy an Enchanted April? Vicariously escape to Italy to appreciate wisteria and sunshine in the Greenbelt Art Center’s charming rendition...

Review: The Cult at The Fillmore

The real rock stars and rock band of our time is The Cult. While Guns ‘N Roses is gearing up for their reunion tour, The Cult has been going strong for 20+ years even employing Guns ‘N Roses drummer...