Virginia

Review: Aquila Theatre’s ‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ at GMU’s Center for the Arts

Audiences can’t get enough of Sherlock Holmes. Television has two productions currently, the movie industry adds another version every year or two, and stage versions abound. I know of 4 versions...

In the Moment: Hylton Performing Arts Center Announces Their 2016-2017 Schedule

Dance, Music, & Theater Comes to Manassas, VA The Hylton Performing Arts Center announces its 2016-2017 season, a fantastic line-up of music, dance, theater and performing arts. Now entering its...

Signature Theatre Announces its 2016-2017 Season-3 World Premiere Musicals and 2 World Premiere Plays

Signature Theatre Announces 2016/17 Season Three World Premiere Musicals: Freaky Friday by Tom Kitt, Brian Yorkey, and Bridget Carpenter Silver Belles by Matt Conner, Allyson Currin and Stephen...

In the Moment: ‘The Flick’ at Signature Theatre

Several years ago I read Annie Baker’s The Flick. For the life of me, I wondered how such a beautifully written, gutsy play about working-class heroes in their own ways could be turned into a living...

Review: ‘The Flick’ at Signature Theatre

Like the seismic shift in the theatrical terrain that I experienced when I saw the Steppenwolf Theater’s production of Lanford Wilson’s Balm in Gilead off-Broadway, or the excitement I felt when I saw...

Review: Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: ‘An Enchanted Evening’

It really was quite “An Enchanted Evening” at GMU’s Center for the Arts on March 12, 2016 as Mary Michael Patterson and Hayley Travers, accompanied by the Fairfax Orchestra under the baton of Luke...

Review: ‘Sherlock Holmes and the West End Horror’ at Prince William Little Theatre

“Yet another Sherlock Holmes play?” you might say. Yes, but with a twist – Prince William Little Theatre’s production of Sherlock Holmes and the West End Horror is anything but same-old, same-old....

In the Moment: The Costumes of Synetic Theater’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’

Ah, the importance of the costumes actors wear to set the scene for any stage production: the shapes, colors, textures. How the fabric flows, drapes, curves or hugs fast to an actor’s frame. Does the...

Review: ‘Fool for Love’ at Port City Playhouse

Sam Shepard’s 1983 one-act play, Fool for Love, is now playing at Port City Playhouse. This talented four-person cast, directed by Jon Townson, lights up the intimate space in the Lab at Convergence....

Review: ‘Little Women’ at Aldersgate Church Community Theater

Aldersgate Church Community Theater brings the timeless tale of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy to life in the classic Louisa May Alcott tale Little Women, adapted by Roger Wheeler. Director Ashley Amidon and...

WSC Avant Bard Presents FREE ‘Scripts in Play Festival’ From March 26-April 23, 2016

Discovery is in the air! And it’s all FREE! Avant Bard proudly presents four weeks of theatrical experimentation with our inaugural Scripts in Play Festival–-more than a dozen readings of plays,...

This Sunday, 3/6@7PM: 2015 WATCH AWARD Winners Announced: Here are the 2015 WATCH AWARD NOMINATIONS

This Sunday, March 6th at 7 PM The WATCH AWARDS CEREMONY. Visit DCMTA to see the winners as they are being announced. _____ Announcement of Nominations: 16th Annual Washington Area Theatre Community...

Review: ‘Ladybug Girl & Bumblebee Boy: The Musical’ at Hylton Performing Arts Center

Hylton Performing Arts Center’s Hylton Family Series presented a one-day showing of Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, the Musical. The musical, produced by Bay Area Children’s Theatre, was a high-energy...

Jane Franklin Dance’s ‘Wash Over You Part I and 2.0’ at Intersections on 3/5 and on 3/12-13 &19 at Theatre on the Run

Movement and Theatre in Stop Motion Saturday March 5, 2016 at 2 pm Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival, Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H St NE, Washington DC Tickets On Sale What: Wash Over You Part I...

Review: ‘The Dancing Princesses’ at Creative Cauldron

Creative Cauldron presents The Dancing Princesses, a Learning Theater production adapted by Ellen Selby and Laura Connors Hull, with music by Matt Conner and lyrics by Matt Conner and Stephen Gregory...

Review: ‘An Evening with Groucho’ at Hylton Performing Arts Center

“Groucho, please don’t die!” a woman is said to have begged the great comedian near the end of his seventy or so years in show business. She had grabbed on to him, clutching his arm. Frank Ferrante –...

Review: ‘Treasure Island’ at Encore Stage & Studio

Encore Stage & Studio first began in 1967 as The Children’s Theatre of Arlington and has produced over 175 shows. Their most recent production is a clever and fun adaption, by Playwright and Composer...

Review: ‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)’ at The Little Theatre of Alexandria

It is funny! Building from a witty start to a raucous, hilarious ending, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at The Little Theatre of Alexandria offers a joyful send-up of all the...

Review: ‘Crimes of the Heart’ at NextStop Theatre Company

Before there was Desperate Housewives, before there was Sex in the City, before there was Thelma and Louise, there was the play, Crimes of the Heart. Beth Henley’s Pulitzer Prize winning play opened...

Meet Cast Members, The Director, and Designers of Prince William Little Theatre’s ‘Sherlock Holmes and the West End Horror’ Playing 3/11-20 at Hylton

Meet the designers, some cast members, and the director of Prince William Little Theatre’s Sherlock Holmes and the West End Horror, playing 3/11-20 at Hylton Performing Arts Center. ______ THE...

Review: ‘Road Show’ at Signature Theatre

First things first. One should not miss a chance to discover, or for some re-discover, a rarely produced Stephen Sondheim work. This is especially true for an appealing musical production called Road...

Review: ‘Valentine’s Day Concert: Armenian Musical Treasures’ at National Chamber Ensemble

Whenever I need a ‘pick-me-up’ I head down to the Rosslyn Spectrum to see a National Chamber Ensemble (‘NCE’) concert. This year’s Valentine’s Day Concert filled the air with L-O-V-E and wonderful...

Review: ‘The Maid’s Tragedy’ at Brave Spirits Theatre

Death abounds in The Maid’s Tragedy. Be prepared for an avenging angel with a message and actions against the vicious power of a King and lascivious misogynist cultural values in Brave Spirits...

Review: ‘Mary Poppins’ at Reston Community Players

Mary Poppins Flies Into Reston CenterStage For A Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Treat Reston Community Players’ production of Mary Poppins is a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious treat for the...

In the Moment: Reston Community Center Presents ‘If Music Be the Food of Love’ on 2/24 & Washington Chorus Presents ‘New Music for a New Age’ on 2/28 at National Presbyterian Church

Adventurous? Looking for something fresh, uplifting, and yes, even heavenly in contemporary classical music with ethereal, hypnotic voices? There are two upcoming musical events in close-by venues to...

Review: ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at Virginia Opera

Few stories have been as revised, re-told and reconstructed as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. But a rendition that is not as performed as it should be is the 19th century opera by French Romantic...

All Performances Saturday 2/13 and Sunday 2/14 at WSC Avant Bard, Peter’s Alley Productions, and The Arlington Players Are On

All performances today, Saturday, February 13th and Sunday, February 14th Are On for: WSC Avant Bard Peter’s Alley Productions The Arlington Players

In the Moment: The Hub Theatre’s Emerging Writers Festival

If we in the theater universe want to nurture new and emerging playwrights, I would think the earlier we are there for them, the more likely we can be helpful. Once again, The Hub Theatre is providing...

Nibbles and Sips Around Town: Pudding it Together: ‘Valentine’s Day Recipes to Charm Your Sweetheart’

Valentine’s Day Recipes to Charm Your Sweetheart These recipes from Nielsen-Massey are too delicious not to share. For the Decadent Chocolate Pudding be sure to use only the best semi-sweet chocolate...

Review: ‘Monsters of the Villa Diodati’ at Creative Cauldron

In the second installment of Creative Cauldron’s initiative, “Bold New Works for Intimate Stages”, the ingenious duo of Matt Conner and Stephen Gregory Smith has turned out a mesmerizing new musical,...

Review: ‘When the Rain Stops Falling’ at 1st Stage

This play by Andrew Bovell in this 1st Stage production burned so many astounding images onto my brain—and sent into my ears so many searing exchanges—that my head is still spinning. For instance...

Review: ‘1776’ at McLean Community Players

Who would have thought you could make a musical about something as serious as starting a revolution? Well, with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone, the 1969 Tony Award-winning...

Review: ‘Cabaret’ at The Fairfax Academy for Communications and the Arts’ Academies of Musical Theatre and Dance

The Fairfax Academy for Communications and the Arts’ Academies of Musical Theatre and Dance made one of history’s darkest and most beloved musicals a vehicle to showcase the talents of their student...

Review: ‘Shake Loose’ at MetroStage

Shake Loose: A Musical Night of Blues Moods & Icons Hang on to your seats, guys and gals! Over three dozen songs – twelve never sung before at MetroStage – and a libretto comprise a whirlwind,...

Here Are The 2016 Helen Hayes Award Nominations And A Look Back at The 2015 Nominations & Recipients

______ Outstanding Choreography in a Musical-HAYES Production Parker Esse West Side Story Signature Theatre Michele Lynch Kiss Me, Kate Shakespeare Theatre Company Tommy Rapley Carousel Olney Theatre...

Review: ‘Deathtrap’ at The Arlington Players

I could tell you about the play’s plot, but then you would have to kill me. Yes, you read that right and it’s the premise of Deathtrap, The Arlington Players’ latest production. The highly...

‘Henry IV,” Part 1 at the Britches and Hose Theatre Company

The Britches and Hose Shakespeare Company is just the sort of grass roots, do-it-yourself theatrical troupe one might have hoped the nation would be awash in, but isn’t. Their Henry IV, Part 1,...

WSC Avant Bard is Giving Away 2 tickets for the Extension Weekend of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

WSC Avant Bard is giving away two tickets for the extension weekend of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. That’s a $70 value for free! The winning answer will also be tweeted from @AvantBard To enter, fill...

Meet the Cast of McLean Community Players’ ‘1776’: Part 3: Leslie Lewis

Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on local stages and what roles you have played. My name is Leslie Lewis and I am originally from Georgia. I’ve been...

Meet the Cast of McLean Community Players’ ‘1776’: Part 2: James Myers

n Part 2 of a series of interviews with the cast of McLean Community Players’ 1776, meet James Myers. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on local...

‘Shaking It Loose With Tom Jones’ at MetroStage

The genesis of this production says much about the innovative creative process at MetroStage. The idea that a new musical could be developed from Tom Jones’ productions was a spark in the mind of the...

Theatre Performance Updates: January 28th at 9:45 PM

HERE ARE SOME NEW UPDATES RE: THIS WEEK’S PERFORMANCES: UPDATED 9:45 PM on JANUARY 27, 2016 TONIGHT JANUARY 28TH AT 8 PM RESTON COMMUNITY THEATRE’S ‘MASTER CLASS’-SPECIAL PERFORMANCE TONIGHT!...

Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Part 8: Jenna Berk

In Part 8 of a series of interviews with the cast of Avant Bard’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, meet Jenna Berk.. Joel: Where have local audiences seen you perform recently on stage? Jenna:...

Meet the Cast of McLean Community Players’ ‘1776’: Part 1: Brent Stone

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of McLean Community Players’ 1776, meet Brent Stone. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on local...

Meet The Cast of Britches and Hose Shakespeare Company’s ‘Henry IV’: Dave Joria, Sarah Pfanz, Stephanie Ramsey, and Jay Tilley

In our interview with the cast of Britches and Hose Shakespeare Company’s gender-blind production of Henry IV, Part 1, meet Dave Joria (Prince Hal), Sarah Pfanz (Hotspur), Stephanie Ramsey (King...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2015 #23: Best Cabaret, Concerts, and Opera Productions in the DC Metro Area

The staff of DCMetroTheaterArts is honored to announce that their 2015 Best Cabaret, Concert, and Opera honors go to to: CABARETS Anonymous at Creative Cauldron’s Summer Cabaret Series by Rachel...

Theatre and Music Venues Snow Closings and Reschedulings Updated 1/24/16@12:20 AM: New Sunday Closings-Mosaic is Open for 3 Performances Today-Sunday

Metro is closed until Monday morning and may stay closed longer. We will update the status when the announcement is made. *Means just added. Here are New Sunday Closings just added on 1/24/16@12:20 PM...

Review: ‘Mouse in House’ at Jane Franklin Dance at Theatre on the Run

Mouse in House, a fun­filled show for children, is full of poetry, dance, and wonderful media effects. Performed by Jane Franklin Dance Company, the show is based on the book Mouse of Amherst by...

Review: ‘Into the Woods, Jr.’ at Aldersgate Church Community Theater

Aldersgate Church Community Theater presents Into the Woods Jr., a condensed version of the Broadway musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine, and orchestrations by...

Review: ‘Master Class’ at Reston Community Players

Maria Callas is an opera icon. If you have never heard of her, think of the ultimate diva and that will give you a bare bones idea of the incredible talent, intense personality, and enduring influence...