Virginia

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #12: Best Direction of Plays in Professional Theater in DC/MD/VA

Here are the DCMetroTheaterArts Staff’s honorees for Best Direction of Plays in Professional Theaters in 2016. Congrats to all our honorees! THE BEST DIRECTION OF PLAYS in 2016 IN DC/MD/VA ARE: Paul...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #10: Best Direction in Musicals in Professional Theatres in DC/MD/VA

Here are the DCMetroTheaterArts Staff’s honorees for Best Direction of Musicals in Professional Theaters in 2016. Congrats to all our honorees: David James for A Christmas Carol at Toby’s The Dinner...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #9: Best Performances and Ensembles in Plays in Professional Theaters in DC/MD/VA

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #9: Best Performances in Musicals in Professional Theaters in DC, MD, and VA Are: Gassan Abbas in I Shall Not Hate at Mosaic Theater Company of DC. Lizzi Albert as...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #8: Best Performances and Ensembles in Musicals in Community Theaters in DC/MD/VA

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #8: Best Performances in Musicals in Community Theaters in DC/MD/VA Area: Lauren Alberg as Lucille Frank and Tommy Eyes as Leo Frank in Parade at Drama Learning...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #7: Best Performances and Ensembles in Musicals in Professional Theaters in DC/MD/VA

Here is the staff of DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #7: Best Performances in Musicals in Professional Theaters in DC/MD/VA: Scean Aaron as Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show at Iron Crow Theatre....

In the Moment: The Barter Players’ Touring Productions of ‘The Ugly Duckling’ and ‘The Giver at The Alden’

The Barter Theatre, the state theatre of Virginia, might not be as well known in the DC metro area as it once was. The Barter Theatre has had a long and continuing production history that began in...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #5: Best Plays In Community Theaters in DC/MD/VA

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #5: Best Plays In Community Theaters. And the honorees are: Almost Maine at Providence Players of Fairfax. All My Sons at Vagabond Players. Amadeus at Providence...

In the Moment: Signature Theatre’s Epic ‘Titanic’ and its Backstage Unsung Heroes

Epic refined splendor comes to mind after seeing and hearing Signature Theatre’s production of the Tony Award-winning musical Titanic. Director Eric Schaeffer’s vision and implement of such a...

Review: ‘Titanic The Musical’ at Signature Theatre

There’s something fundamentally spiritual about the legend of RMS Titanic. Just as there are no atheists in a foxhole there are few to be found aboard an ocean liner going down fast in icy waters but...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #2: Best Musicals In Community Theaters in DC/MD/VA

Here are The staff of DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best Plays of 2016 in Community Theaters. Congrats to all the honorees. A Grand Night for Singing at Montgomery Playhouse and Arts on the Green. Anything Goes...

Review: ‘Happy Holidays’ With the National Chamber Ensemble

The National Chamber Ensemble’s joyful annual Happy Holidays concert was the perfect way to spread the wonderful sounds of Christmas and Chanukah. There were performances from talented musicians of...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #1: Best Musicals in Professional Theaters in DC/MD/VA

Here are the DCMetroTheaterArts Staff’s honorees for Best Musicals in Professional Theaters in 2016. Congrats to all our honorees! A Christmas Carol at Toby’s The Dinner Theatre of Columbia. A...

Meet the Cast and Director of Providence Players’ ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ Part 5: Director Liz Mykietyn by Julie Janson

In the final part of interviews with the cast and director of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, meet Director Liz Mykietyn. Julie: Please tell our readers about your work in the local theater...

‘Take A Bow!’ Part 3: The Staff of DCMetroTheaterArts’ Favorite DC/MD/VA Fall 2016 Performances/Directors/Designers by DCMetroTheaterArts Staff: DC/MD/VA/PHILLY/NYC AREAS

Here is the staff of DCMetroTheaterArts’ 3rd series of ‘Take A Bow!’ Fall 2016 honorees: Caroline Clay as Florynce Kennedy in (Re)Acts: Where Do We Go From Here? at Forum Theatre. It was a...

Meet the Cast of Providence Players’ ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ Part 4: Nora Rice by Julie Janson

This past weekend, over 500 theater goers, young, old, families, singles and couples fell in love with the Providence Players production of the Barbara Robinson holiday classic Best Christmas Pageant...

Review: ‘Fully Committed’ at MetroStage

Tom Story is a knockout in his one-actor, effortlessly frenetic, tour de force performance as 40 different characters who comprise the charming “controlled” frenzy of MetroStage’s Fully Committed....

In the Moment: ‘Sleeping Beauty’ at Synetic Theater

Sleeping Beauty, Synetic Theater’s new dialogue-free production, is gorgeous, entertaining, and illuminating. This Sleeping Beauty is more than a fanciful, “white bread, white washed” Disney-like take...

Review: ‘Sleeping Beauty’ at Synetic Theater

Briar Rose. Brunhilde. Talia. Rosamond. Aurora. Over the centuries Sleeping Beauty has been known by many names, but the long abiding folk tale of good conquering evil and love conquering all, has...

Review: ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ at Providence Players of Fairfax

Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the second production of The Providence Players of Fairfax’s 19th season is delightful Christmas family fun. Written by Barbara Robinson in the 70s and directed by WATCH...

‘Take A Bow!’ Part 2: The Staff of DCMetroTheaterArts’ Favorite DC/MD/VA Fall 2016 Performances/Directors/Designers

The Bald Ballerina in Dancing for Divas: A Labor of Love at Howard Community College. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house after Margaret “Maggie” Kudirka’s heart-wrenching solo at the Dancing for...

Meet the Cast and Director of Providence Players’ ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ Part 3: Evie Izdepski by Julie Janson

The Providence Players of Fairfax will soon premiere the second production of their 19th season, Best Christmas Pageant Ever, written by Barbara Robinson and directed by award-winning director Liz...

Review: ‘A Christmas Carol Memory’ at Creative Cauldron

Right in time for the Holiday Season, Creative Cauldron has presented another installation from their Bold New Works project with the World Premiere of A Christmas Carol Memory. Adapted from Charles...

Review: ‘Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka’ at NextStop Theatre

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka opened at NextStop Theatre in Herndon to a sold-out house this past weekend. The cast included professional actors, alongside local students, which made for a very personal...

Review: ‘The Magi’ at The Hub Theatre

“A simple tale of love and hope,” is the way local playwright Helen Murray Pafumi describes her new work, The Magi. That is an understatement. In its premiere at Fairfax’s The Hub Theatre, The Magi is...

Review: ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Rooftop Productions

It’s been said that Charles Dickens invented Christmas. He didn’t, but A Christmas Carol, published in 1843, certainly transformed people’s attitudes about the celebration. The author William...

Review: ‘Avenue Q-School Edition’ at Fairfax High School

Avenue Q is not your mother’s musical. Sure, the muppets might seem cute, but once they start singing you’ll see that they’re just as messed up as most people. Fairfax High School’s FX Players...

Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘TAME.’ Part 5: Karen Lange

In part five of a series of interviews with the cast of Avant Bard’s production of TAME., meet Karen Lange. Joel: Where have local audiences seen you perform recently on stage? Karen: Most recently, I...

‘Take A Bow!’ Part 1: The Staff of DCMetroTheaterArts’ DC/MD/VA Fall 2016 Favorite Performances/Directors/Designers

Here is the staff of DCMetroTheaterArts’ first series of ‘Take A Bow!’ Fall 2016 honorees: ____ Edwin Aparicio, as Choreographer, Flamenco Dancer, and Co-Director of Salvador, at GALA Hispanic...

In the Moment: Interviews with the Cast, Composer, Director, and Artistic Director of The Hub Theatre’s ‘The Magi’ Opening This Weekend

The Hub Theatre will present a premiere musical, The Magi by local playwright Helen Murray Pafumi with music by singer/songwriter Eli Pafumi. This is a unique collaboration between them. The Magiis a...

Meet the Cast of Providence Players’ ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ Part 2: Sally Ann Flores by Julie Janson

The Providence Players of Fairfax, will soon premiere the second production of its 19th season, Best Christmas Pageant Ever, written by Barbara Robinson and directed by award-winning director Liz...

Review: ‘Silver Belles’ at Signature Theatre

I needed it. A lot. A musical that reminded me that “life is a gift.” A new holiday musical with heart, humor, and great new tunes. A most-welcomed and pleasant swift sleigh ride during these dark...

Meet the Cast of Providence Players’ ‘Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ Part 1: Michelle Shader by Julie Janson

The Providence Players of Fairfax, will soon premiere the second production of its 19th season, Best Christmas Pageant Ever, written by Barbara Robinson and directed by award-winning Director Liz...

Review: ‘A Christmas Story, The Musical’ at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents A Christmas Story, The Musical, with Book by Joseph Robinette and Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Based on the 1983 Warner Bros....

Take the Kids to See ‘James and The Giant Peach, JR.’ at The Alliance Theatre Today at 2 PM at Mountain View High School in Centreville

Join the Alliance Theatre for their final performance today at 2 PM as they present one of Roald Dahl’s most famous characters on a family friendly musical adventure. Featuring a wickedly tuneful...

Review: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at The George Mason University School of Theater and The Mason Players

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare has long been among my favorite plays. If it isn’t already yours, the Mason Players production could well change your mind. What kind of comedy do you...

Interview: David London and Francis Menotti Discuss ‘Cerebral Sorcery’

Magic shows are often full of tricks and spectacle, “smoke and mirrors.” Going to a David London show though tends to take more of a psychological turn. There are still plenty feats of magic but, not...

Review: ‘Disney’s The Little Mermaid’ at Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre

Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre opened their production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid this weekend, and I had the pleasure of seeing their show with my three young boys. The musical is...

Review: ‘Oliver Twist’ at Creative Cauldron

Creative Cauldron presents Oliver Twist, an original adaptation based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel. Directors Laura Connors Hull and Ellen Selby and tailored this production for the performers of...

Dangereuse: She Will Rock You: ‘TAME.’ at WSC Avant Bard

One of Shakespeare’s greatest gifts is the inspiration he offers to other artists. In the case of Tame., playwright Jonelle Walker has captured the essence of Shakespeare’s Kate in The Taming of the...

Review: ‘Broadway Bound’ at 1st Stage

As self-conscious plays go, Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound is both a self-fulfilling prophesy and a cross-examination of the creative process. The play, which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and a...

In the Moment: ‘Birdman Live! at George Mason University Center

There has been a wealth of films about Broadway over the decades. Many oft these Broadway-related movies are from a too distant past even if still shown on AMC or Turner Classics. If the older films...

Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘TAME.’ Part 4: Madeline Burrows

In Part 4 of a series of interviews with the cast of Avant Bard’s production of TAME., meet Madeline Burrows. Joel: Where have local audiences seen you perform recently on stage? Madeline: Most...

Review: ‘Tame.’ at Avant Bard

Audiences of all generations and emerging Millennial-aged playwrights should rejoice at Avant Bard’s production of DC playwright Jonelle Walker’s TAME. Avant Bard took a risky budgetary and audience...

Review: ‘The Migration Project: live performance art installation’‘ at Jane Franklin Dance Company

The Migration Project is a live music, multi-media event directed and developed by Jane Franklin of the Jane Franklin Dance Company that raises many questions: When is it necessary to pick up from...

Review: ‘School of Rock’ at Beyond the Page Theatre Company at West Potomac High School

It’s hard not to leave the theater humming Stevie Nicks or exclaiming “Stick it to the man!” after seeing Beyond the Page Theatre Company at West Potomac High School’s rockin’ production of School of...

Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘TAME.’ Part 3: Jill Tighe

In Part 3 of a series of interviews with the cast of Avant Bard’s production of TAME., meet Jill Tighe. Joel: Where have local audiences seen you perform recently on stage? Jill: The last play I did...

Review: ‘Godspell’ at W.T. Woodson High School

Stephen Schwartz’s often treacly Godspell, conceived by book writer John-Michael Tebelak, is a parade of parables borrowed from the New Testament’s Matthew and Luke set to a hippie-chic Seventies...

Meet the Cast of ‘School of Rock’ at West Potomac High School: Part 3: Luke Simonsen

In Part 3 of a series of interviews of the cast of West Potomac High School’s School of Rock, meet Luke Simonsen. Please introduce yourself to our audience. I am Luke Simonsen and a junior at West...

In the Moment: Jane Franklin on ‘The Migration Project’ Opening Tomorrow Night at Theatre on the Run

With an interest in the stories of refugees and other wandering souls, which I presumed is based upon my own family fables of wanderings to and in America, along with my work as Director, US Office of...

Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘TAME.’ Part 2: Brendan Edward Kennedy

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the cast of Avant Bard’s production of TAME., meet Brendan Edward Kennedy. Joel: Where have local audiences seen you perform recently on stage? Brendan: This...