Virginia

‘The Piano Guys’ at Wolf Trap

The Piano Guys blew into Wolf Trap at 8 pm on Thursday, August 6, 2015 with their originality, humor, and sheer musical skill like the refreshing cool air after the heat wave of the past few days,...

‘The Music Man’ at The Sterling Playmakers

“Seventy-six trombones led the big parade, with a hundred and ten cornets close at hand”!!! From the orchestra conductor’s starting whistle and the first strains of “76 Trombones” in the overture of...

Indigo Girls at Wolf Trap With Michelle Malone

Infusing introspective folk rock with progressive political persuasions, the genre-defying, Grammy Award-winning Indigo Girls returned to Wolf Trap last Tuesday night for a cerebral celebration of...

In the Moment: A Personal ‘Good Luck and Thank You’ to The American Century Theater and Their Ghost Light

Ghost light. Very soon the 20-year run of the The American Century Theater (TACT) will fade into a ghost light -a light that we theater folk know is left lit onstage to protect us from misbehaving...

‘RENT’ at Metropolitan Youth Theatre

Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s production of RENT is a 100% student-run show from the director to the 17 actors who are making this flashback to the turn-of-the-century HIV/AIDS epidemic a moving...

Elaine Wilson on Co-Founding The Alliance Theatre by Tom Harman

The Alliance Theatre Co-Founder Elaine Wilson remembers the conversation that would prompt her to change the direction of a then-struggling community theatre still in its infancy. Wilson had...

‘The Meeting’ at Clifton Town Hall

“Hello – my name is … and I am an alcoholic.” These powerful words reverberated in the Clifton Town Hall as myself (and I am sure each member of the audience) recalled our personal experiences with...

‘Bayla Sings Barbra’ at 2015 Summer Cabaret Series at Creative Cauldron

“A musical buffet for the audience” is the way Matt Conner, Creative Cauldron Associate Artist and curator of the Cauldron’s 2015 Summer Cabaret Series described what to expect. Laura Hull, founder...

‘In the Heights’ at The Little Theatre of Alexandria

The Little Theatre of Alexandria (LTA) has launched In the Heights, as part of their ‘Director’s Dream Season.’ Frank D. Shutts II has wanted to put this 2008 ony Award-winning Best Musical for over...

‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ at The Alliance Theatre

A heartfelt story of family loyalty and triumph, The Alliance Theatre’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, directed by Elaine Wilson, starts as the tale of a loving father who tries his hardest to make his...

‘The Music Man’ at Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre by Valerie S. O’Keeffe

SSMT’s The Music Man Hits All the Right Notes As It Brings Big-Time Talent, Excitement (And More Than A Few Instruments) To Town! Oh ya got talent, my friends! Right here in Winchester City! From the...

‘American Idiot’ at Little Butterfly Theatre Company’s at 1st Stage

Green Day’s American Idiot is getting staged by a group of teens and twenty-somethings in a warehouse near Tysons and it is hot, hot, hot! Go for the punk rock, stay for the vocal harmonies, savor the...

Meet the Cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s ‘RENT’: Part 5: Danny Waldman

In Part 5 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s RENT, meet Danny Waldman. Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you before on local...

An Interview with Lori Muhlstein on Directing ‘The Meeting’ Playing This Friday, July 24-August 1, 2015 at The Clifton Town Hall

The Meeting is an original play by local playwright Greg Powell and directed by Lori Muhlstein. It will be performed by The Clifton Arts Council on Friday and Saturday evenings, July 24th, 25th, 31st...

‘Shrek, the Musical’ at Encore Stage & Studio

Encore Stage & Studio presents Shrek, the Musical , with Music by Jeanine Tesori and Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire. Artistic Director Susan Alison Keady and Music Director Matthew Heap lead...

Interview with Frank D. Shutts II on Directing ‘In the Heights’ at The Little Theatre of Alexandria July 25th-August 15th

I sat down and asked veteran Director Frank Shutts his thoughts, visions, and hopes for LTA’s summer production of the 2008 Tony Award-winning musical In the Heights which opens on July 25th and plays...

Meet the Cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s ‘RENT’: Part 4: Cara Bachman

In Part 4 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s RENT, meet Cara Bachman. Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you before on local...

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Synetic Theater

The music is pulsing; the performers are insanely flexible, and everything from set to costumes to lights is drenched in the fantastical for Synetic’s latest Shakespeare A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The...

‘Twelve Angry Men’ at The American Century Theater

In this famous, thrilling court-room drama, 12 jurors deliberate over the fate of an alleged murderer. The case seems clear-cut. They open the play with a vote, to see where everybody stands and the...

Idina Menzel at Jiffy Lube Live

Fighting both the summer heat and a summer cold, Idina Menzel nonetheless stormed the stage at the Jiffy Lube Live arena on Saturday, July 18, 2015, and blew the (figurative) roof off the place. With...

‘Hairspray’ at City of Fairfax Theatre Company

A huge, multi-generational cast tells the story of integrating a 1962 Baltimore TV dance show in a musical directed by Tara Taylor that is all heart—and soul. With book by Mark O’Donnel and Thomas...

‘Peter Pan’ at Upper Room Theatre Ministry by Keegan Collins

Upper Room Theatre presents Peter Pan, based on J.M. Barrie’s play of the same name. With lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green and music by Morris Charlap and Julie Styne, Peter Pan...

Meet the Cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s ‘RENT’: Part 3: Ben Cherington

In Part 3 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s Rent, meet Ben Cherington. Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you before on local...

Little Butterfly Theatre Company Presents Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ on July 23-26th at 1st Stage

Just off her success for McLean High School with Big Fish, which rose to local and national prominence, Director Amy E. Poe is leading a cast of young adults in American Idiot. The rock musical...

‘The Who’s Tommy’ at Prince William Little Theatre

Remember that band that formed in 1964 and sold 100 million records world wide? The Who? Well, now you have the chance to catch a glimpse of the musical based off of their fourth album from 1969,...

‘Romeo and Juliet’ at Castaways Repertory Theatre by Marguerite Crozier

Castaways Repertory Theatre’s presentation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet will leave you believing in the premise of love at first sight, if ever you’ve doubted it. With standout performances by...

‘The Wedding Singer’ at Riverside Center Dinner Theater

Riverside Center Dinner Theater presents The Wedding Singer, based on the hit New Line Cinema Film written by Tim Herlithy. With a book and lyrics by Chad Beguelin and Tim Herlithy and music by...

‘The Ghosts of Versailles’ at The Barns at Wolf Trap

Wolf Trap Opera presents John Corigliano and William M. Hoffman’s The Ghosts of Versailles, a grand opera buffa in two acts. Directed by Louisa Muller, this production is as silly as it is masterful,...

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ at McLean Community Players

Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock n’ roll opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, and the McLean Community Players cast and crew, directed by Kevin and Pamela McCormack, rocks...

‘Leto Legend’ at Hub Theatre

Valerie Fenton leads an all-woman cast as a super mom, super employee, and superhero in Leto Legend by Kristen LePine. Depicting the dual character of Charlie/Leto, Fenton, a founding member of the...

‘The Wiz’ at Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre

Ease on down the road to Winchester and join Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre for a fast-paced, campy, fun, and ultimately heart-warming journey down the yellow brick road with The Wiz, now playing...

DCMetroTheaterArts Reviewer and Columnist Sydney-Chanele Dawkins Passes Away at Age 47

Sydney-Chanele Dawkins, beloved DCMetroTheaterArts writer and columnist, lost her battle with breast cancer last evening. She was only 47 years-old. The DCMetroTheaterArts family mourns her passing...

Meet the Cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s ‘RENT’: Part 2: Jordan Sledd

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s Rent, meet Jordan Sledd. Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you before on local...

Meet the Cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s ‘RENT’: Part 1: Marcia Cunning

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre‘s RENT, meet Marcia Cunning. Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you before on local...

‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ at Aldersgate Community Church Theatre

There’s an old adage that states “time wasted having fun isn’t wasted.” The Aldersgate Community Church Theatre effectively explored this theme with its production of Cheaper by the Dozen, adapted by...

In the Moment: Helen Pafumi and Kristen LePine on The Hub Theatre’s ‘Leto Legend’

The Hub Theatre is opening its world premiere of a work by a woman playwright, directed by a woman and with an all-female cast. It is the Hub’s Leto Legend which opens on July 10, 2015. Hub describes...

Nibbles and Sips Around Town: ‘America Eats Tavern Holds Inaugural Virginia Festival, Bloomsday Celebration, Blue Duck Tavern Rhapsodizes About Ice Cream, Mitsitam Gets a New Chef, and We Get His Wild Rice Bars Recipe’

As expected tons of events are crammed into the month of June. Why? There seems to be a totally unfounded impression that we are all darting off to faraway lands. We wish! Here’s where we went...

‘Peter Pan’ in the ThreeSixty Theatre

“Dreams do come true, if only we wish hard enough.” In its DC area premiere, Peter Pan in the ThreeSixty Theatre has plenty of stimulating ingredients providing an exciting, dreams-come-true...

Nibbles And Sips Around Town: Nibbles and Sips Goes To The Country’

A Dreamy Summer Pop-Up Supper, Strawberries Rule at Delaplane’s Annual Festival, Fueling Up at The French Hound, Healthful Eats at Brassicas, Patrick O’Connell Launches Latest Book at Willowsford....

Maysa at The Birchmere Music Hall

There’s an earthy, primal kind of beat that pulsates through every song at a Maysa concert. It’s a sound akin to a heartbeat, a panting breath, or a sonic boom that touches the emotional core the way...

‘Million Dollar Quartet’ at Wolf Trap

Wow, just wow! There is a reason why Million Dollar Quartet is a Tony Award-winning musical. It features a talented cast, amazing singing, and musicianship, incredible music, awesome dance moves by...

The American Century Theater Ends Its 20th and Final Season With the Play That Started it All: ‘Twelve Angry Men’ July 17-August 8, 2015 by Emily Morrison

The American Century Theater ends its twentieth and final season with the first play it produced in Arlington, VA:Reginald Rose’s Twelve Angry Men, directed by TACT Artistic Director and Co-Founder,...

An Interview with Lori Muhlstein on Directing ‘The Meeting’ July 24-August 1, 2015 at The Clifton Town Hall

The Meeting is an original play by local playwright Greg Powell and directed by Lori Muhlstein. It will be performed by The Clifton Arts Council on Friday and Saturday evenings, July 24th, 25th, 31st...

‘The Addams Family’ at Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre

The full moon is rising, the ancestors are emerging from their slumbers, and Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre is offering up a creepily fun and spookily hilarious musical comedy version of The Addams...

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago at Wolf Trap

Eight dancers paused on an open-air stage. The curtain is up. No music, yet. A rustle from a small, brown mass as far downstage as can be: a bird, flicking wings. One more sits near the other quarter...

Audra McDonald with the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap

Not even the heat and rising temperatures could keep the crowds away from Wolf Trap Monday night to hear the multi-talented Audra McDonald sing an extremely vigorous program. Both entertaining and...

In the Moment: Company Danzante Performs at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival

Northern Virginia’s Company Danzante will perform at the prestigious Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Massachusetts on June 26, 2015. Company Danzante will perform repertory by Co-Directors, Katherine...

National Symphony Orchestra: ‘Back to the Future’ at Wolf Trap

On June 19, 2015, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts presented National Symphony Orchestra– Back to the Future. Music Director Christoph Eschenbach and Conductor Emil De Cou work with a...

Celtic Woman 10th Anniversary World Tour at Wolf Trap

The four women from Ireland who make up Celtic Woman, along with backup singers, dancers, and musicians returned to Wolf Trap for a very special performance, not least because it’s their 10th...

‘The Little Prince’ at Creative Cauldron

Creative Cauldron at ArtSpace presents The Little Prince, based on the book by Antione de Saint Exupery, with music by Rick Cummins and book and lyrics by John Scoullar. Directors Denise Perrino and...