DC

Reversed Elf: Joe Brack Directs Matty Griffiths in ‘The Santaland Diaries’ Opening Tomorrow 12/2 @8PM at Capital Fringe’s Logan Arts Space Through 12/24

Since 2008 Matty Griffiths and Joe Brack have taken on David Sedaris’ delicious script for The Santaland Diaries four times. Each year they explored the rich, true-to-life text to find a fresh take on...

Meet the Cast of ‘George is Dead’ at The Klunch: Part 1: John Tweel

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of George is Dead at The Klunch, meet John Tweel. Joel: Please tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on our local stages? John: I’ve...

‘By George, By Ira, By Gershwin’ at The In Series

The In Series brings to life some of the funnest and iconic music of the 20th century by George Gershwin with most song lyrics by his brother Ira. They started out on Broadway before making it big on...

‘Elephant & Piggies We Are in A Play!’ at The Kennedy Center

I could not say for sure whether my 6 year-old son or I had the most fun watching The Kennedy Center’s production of Elephant & Piggies We Are in A Play! We laughed, we cheered, we wiggle-waggled, and...

‘Pinocchio!’ at Faction of Fools

Italian writer Carlo Collodi’s beloved tale of Pinocchio! has been performed countless times over the past 132 years. Now, Faction of Fools Theatre Company has taken this classic story and adapted it...

‘Catone in Utica’ by Opera Lafayette at The Kennedy Center

In Opera Lafayette‘s Catone in Utica, which opened last night at The Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater, the greats have come out to sing. And Antonin Vivaldi’s opera bursts with beauty and excitement....

Ian Allen’s ‘The Klunch’ Opens its 1st Production: ‘George is Dead’ This Thursday, 12/3 at DCAC

CHERRY RED PRODUCTIONS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR IAN ALLEN FOUNDS “THE KLUNCH” A NEW THEATER COLLECTIVE OPENS ITS FIRST PRODUCTION: ELAINE MAY’S GEORGE IS DEAD AT DC ARTS CENTER THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3RD THROUGH...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ ‘Best of 2015 Honors’ To Be Announced Shortly-A Look Back at the 2014 Honorees

We will be announcing our ‘Best of 2015 DCMTA Honors’ in the upcoming weeks. Because we will have reviewed over 1,250 shows/concerts/dance in 2015, there is a lot to choose from and to honor. But...

A Look at ‘Glory Us’ by Playwright Madeline Farrington at The Fridge Starting 12/4.

Glory Us was born during a series of Tinder conversations I had with a guy named Matt. (They’re all named Matt, right?) We had been flirting a lot, and I was kinda into him, but he would disappear for...

An Interview with Billy L’Amour on ‘Gentlemen Prefer Billy’ at Rainbow Theatre Project at Source on Monday, 11/30

Super-excited to get to talk with Montreal’s oh so fabulous Billy L’Amour, whose career spans ballet, cabaret, and burlesque and is bringing her one-woman show Gentlemen Prefer Billy to the Source...

In the Moment: Reflections on ‘Sons of the Prophet’ at Theater J

At the heart of Stephen Karam’s Sons of the Prophet are his Old-Testament Job-like questioning of an unseen, unknown higher presence. Questions abound around the matter of why do we (and, of course,...

‘Kiss Me Kate’ at Shakespeare Theatre Company

In a perfect world, the actors and actresses of a production get along. In a perfect world, there is no backstage drama. In a perfect world, that drama does not confuse and alter a production of The...

‘Semiramide’ with Washington Concert Opera at Lisner Auditorium

The predominance of voice in the operatic tradition usually doesn’t change the need for effective staging to put the full point across. Washington Concert Opera showcased at least one exception to...

Spine: ‘Pericles’ by Oregon Shakespeare Festival at Folger Theatre (Review #2)

The rarely performed Pericles by William Shakespeare, now on stage at Folger Theatre, is that even rarer of manuscripts: a folk play with epic plot, with virtuous storytelling and song, and without a...

‘Sons of the Prophet’ at Theater J

Theater J’s first triumph of the season was Caleen Sinnette Jennings’ semi-autobiographical Queens Girl in the World. Its second is also loosely autobiographical: Stephen Karam’s Sons of the Prophet—a...

Cellist Amit Peled and Pianist Noreen Polera with Washington Performing Arts at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater

Cellist Amit Peled is one of those practitioners of “serious” music who brings a kind of pizzazz that’s probably needed in the 21st century world of what’s generically dubbed classical music. His...

Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: John Lloyd Young

John Lloyd Young, Tony-Award winner and musical wonder of the Broadway never-ending (and well-deserved to be!) musical hit Jersey Boys, enthralled the crowd at The Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater...

‘In the Moment’: Thoughts on Folger Theatre’s ‘Pericles’

Dazzling. Indeed Pericles is quite dazzling in the contemporary creation from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival currently at the Folger Theatre. It possesses a radiance with its modern youthful vigor of...

‘The Impresario’ at the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music

Sheaves of music start flying and the upper octaves get higher and louder during an open opera audition. Vanity and rivalry turn into a feline fight-fest when two sopranos vie to get the best part....

‘SPEKTRUM’ at Howard University

A world of color streamed with feet pointed and backs arched, amazed at the auspicious shapes; I witnessed dance prevail in SPEKTRUM, Howard University’s Dance Arts Student Showcase. Deep symbolism...

‘Akeelah and the Bee’ at Arena Stage

How do you spell T-E-R-R-I-F-I-C S-H-O-W? Those of us with Millennial-generation children are used to the intensity of youth sports, like football, lacrosse or soccer, being played outdoors on a turf...

‘Big Love’ at The Catholic University of America

The façade of an Italian courtyard stands ominously on the Hartke stage as the audience files in. A single girl is seated at a table, surrounded by a bathtub and a piano. Everything is pristine and...

‘Pericles’ at the Folger Theatre

Pericles is a night of wonder, perfect for a romantic evening or a thought-provoking night out with family or friends. Watching it is like lying in the grass watching clouds move over a beautiful blue...

An Interview with Antony Walker, Artistic Director of Washington Concert Opera

The operas of early 19th century master Gioachino Rossini play a big part in the life of Maestro Antony Walker. The artistic director of Washington Concert Opera is preparing for the company’s...

‘Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ at The National Theatre

It truly was “A Lovely Night” at the National Theater on Thursday, November 18th, as Cinderella won over not only the prince, but the entire audience. Between the charm of the Rodgers and Hammerstein...

An Interview with Dr. Torcher on ‘The Weirdo Show’ This Friday at The Bier Baron at 9 PM

The Weirdo Show is one of the DC Burlesque and Variety scene’s longest running and most beloved institutions. It started in 2006 and has continued, with some brief hiatuses and producer changes. Once...

Spine: ‘Appomattox’ Cracks the Color Line at The Kennedy Center

Appomattox, the world premiere opera now playing at The Kennedy Center Opera House in a new production by the Washington National Opera, tackles that most epic of America’s sins, “the color line.” And...

Blake Hammond on Playing Sebastian in ‘Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ at The National Theatre

Blake Hammond is playing Sebastian in the Tour of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella which is about to open at The National Theatre. Joel: Hi Blake. Where may have some of our readers seen you perform...

‘The S* Show’ at Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW) at Atlas

As the days get shorter and the weather gets chillier, my favorite antidote to the encroaching winter is a strong dose of theatrical comfort food. Luckily for me, this is exactly what the Gay Men’s...

‘It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play’ at Washington Stage Guild

Live Radio Play Injects Comedy into a Christmas Classic Washington Stage Guild is presenting an entertaining radio play version of the 1940’s classic holiday film It’s a Wonderful Life. This retelling...

‘See Between The Lines’ by Jane Franklin Dance at Dance Place

Jane Franklin Dance presented three performance pieces last night at Dance Place: “Incidence,” “Nested, and “Wash Over You, Part 1.” As a whole, they are entitled See Between The Lines. Rooted in...

‘Dangereuse’: ‘Appomattox’ at The Kennedy Center by Sophia Howes (Review #2)

In the wake of Ferguson and the Black Lives Matter movement, it is the perfect time for an opera which tells the truth about race in America—Appomattox. Philip Glass, the internationally acclaimed...

‘Appomattox’ at Washington National Opera by David Friscic (Review #1)

Oh, the tears, trauma and travail of the issues brought to the fore in the revised World Premiere of the opera Appomattox at the Kennedy Center Opera House Friday night. This challenging World...

Magic Time! ‘Appomattox’ at Washington National Opera by John Stoltenberg

Appomattox, the magnificent and powerful opera by Philip Glass and Christopher Hampton that premiered at The Kennedy Center last night, looks at American history with a breathtaking urgency and...

‘ColorBlind: The Katrina Monologues’ at The Anacostia Playhouse

September of this year marked the tenth anniversary of the Katrina flooding. ColorBlind: The Katrina Monologues, a superb play written by Tom Flannery, and directed by a great director and actor,...

Dorado Schmitt and the Django Festival All-Stars at The Kennedy Center

Dorado Schmitt and the Django Festival All-Stars came to The Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater last night. And for a beautiful 80 minutes, the terror of the day vanished, syncopated out of existence by...

‘Danceworks Fall 2015’ at George Washington University’s Department of Theatre of Dance

International Guest Artists Bring Polish and Pizazz to MainStage at George Washington University Some of the most exciting new choreography in town is on view at this season’s DanceWorks 2015, where...

‘War With the Newts’ at Georgetown University

When an actor comes on stage and tells you to silence your cell phone, etc., then identifies himself as a newt, you might be a bit perplexed. And when, further, he announces that all the humans you’ll...

‘Bachelorette’ at American University’s College of Arts and Sciences

Does validation of a woman’s self-worth come with being independent or having a husband? In American University’s exceptional production of Leslye Holland’s Bachelorette, directed by Carl Menninger,...

Million Man March: Twenty Years Later Justice or Else

On Saturday, October 10, 2015, thousands gathered at the mall in Washington, DC, for the Million Man March: Justice or Else. Coordinated by the Minister Louis Farrakhan, in lieu of the current...

Spine: JOY and Twyla Tharp’s 50th Anniversary Tour

Twyla Tharp’s 50th Anniversary Tour came to the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theatre last night. Four pieces: two short “Fanfares,” a Preludes and Fugues, and a Yowzie. And the stage was aflutter with...

From Beethoven to Rachmaninoff to Billy Joel: An Interview with Superstar Pianist Olga Kern

If you believe that a good way to judge music is on whether it sounds good and moves you, then you have a friend in international concert pianist Olga Kern. The Russian-bred, New York-based classical...

‘Oliver!’ at Arena Stage

From its opening number, Arena Stage’s innovative new production of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! is bursting with excitement and emotion. Director Molly Smith has stripped the classic musical based on...

Meet Soloist Paul Negron of The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s ‘The S Show’ Playing This Saturday at 5 & 8 PM at Atlas

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the soloists of this Saturday’s The S* Show: Sinatra, Sondheim, and Streisand? performed by The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC Meet Paul Negron. Joel:...

Meet Soloist JJ Vera of The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s ‘The ‘S Show’ Playing This Saturday at 5 & 8 PM at Atlas

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the soloists of this Saturday’s The S* Show: Sinatra, Sondheim, and Streisand? performed by The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC Meet JJ Vera. Joel: Please...

Spine: Studio Theatre’s Apple Family Cycle, ‘Sorry’ and “Us”

One of the most frequently read quotes about Richard Nelson’s four play Apple Family Cycle comes from Ben Brantley’s article, “One Man, 10 Shows, Guvnor.” (Dec. 13, 2013, New York Times.) Speaking of...

Wanda Sykes at The Warner Theatre

Four-time Emmy award-winning comedian, actor, writer, producer and DC-area native Wanda Sykes returned to The Warner Theatre last weekend with her signature sarcastic and straight-to-the-point comedy,...

‘Flamenco Men 2’ at GALA Hispanic Theatre

It is said that there are four elements of flamenco: Cante, or voice; Baile, or dance; Toque, or guitar, and; Jaleo – audience participation. All were in full force at GALA Hispanic Theatre’s...

‘Regular Singing’ in Repertory with ‘Sorry’ at Studio Theatre

Regular Singing, the 4th play in Richard Nelson’s Apple Family Cycle and now playing in repertory with Sorry (the 3rd play) at Studio Theatre, is a 2-hour dirge, a threnody if you will, with much...

The Apple Family Cycle: ‘Sorry’ at The Studio Theatre

You know that feeling you get when you go to something—you attend it as a visitor or you drop in as an interloper—and by the time that something ends, you feel as if you belonged to it? Well, there’s...