Washington DC

DCMTA 2021 Staff Favorites: Outstanding Community Theater Productions

Here are some of the community theater productions that made an indelible impression on our writers this year.

Colonial Players to stage ‘The Lost Boy,’ about Peter Pan creator

A heartwarming, fictionalized story based on the author James Barrie.

DCMTA 2021 Staff Favorites: Outstanding Professional Theater Productions

17 productions that wowed us as live theater returned.

WIT to require booster shots and medical-grade masks

Becomes first local theater to tighten COVID safety protocols in light of omicron.

In miniature, two children seek safety, in ‘Flight’ at Studio Theatre

The immersive journey of two young Afghan refugees, an unforgettable tour de force.

Director Cara Gabriel on the magic and joy of ‘Winterfest’ at Adventure Theatre

‘Our kids have been on screens 24/7 the past two years. I wanted to involve them live and in person whenever we could.’

In lipstick and hip schtick, the Kinsey Sicks tickle at Theater J

‘Oy Vey in a Manger,’ their adults-only holiday special, is not for the pious or prudish—let alone right-wing fanatics—but it’s hilarious for everyone else.

‘Corduroy’ at Imagination Stage is laugh-out-loud adorable

A lighthearted, fun adventure for families with young children.

There’s a new ‘Pretty Woman’ in town: Q&A with Olivia Valli

The rising star who plays Vivian tells how the musical has been revised since its Broadway run and how her character will be different from the movie.

DCMTA 2021 Staff Favorites: Outstanding Digital Theater

30 online productions that wowed us and got us through theater shutdown.

‘A Strange Loop,’ a hit at Woolly, heads to Broadway

Michael R. Jackson’s ‘big, Black and queer-ass American Broadway show’ will open in spring 2022 at the Lyceum Theatre.

What’s ‘Once Upon a One More Time’ doing at the Shakespeare?

There’s got to be more to it than a cool chance to groove on the oeuvre of Britney Spears. | Column by JOHN STOLTENBERG

‘Once Upon a One More Time’ is wacky but it works

The show at STC inspired by the music of Britney Spears is as thought-provoking as it is toe-tapping, as clever as it is hilarious, and a bona fide success. | Review by NICOLE HERTVIK

Come for the songs in ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’ at KenCen

And what songs they are! — classics on a par with anything in the American Songbook.

Adventure Theatre’s ‘Winterfest’ is a three-in-one celebration

Productions feature stories about the magic of Chanukah, a heartwarming Christmas journey from the Philippines, and the connecting power of snow.

Two fantastic detective tales unfold as audio plays from We Happy Few

Sherlock Holmes and Loveday Brooks in a new genre of interactive theater: a mystery experience mailed right to your door.

Poignant musical ‘The Christmas Angel’ premieres at Creative Cauldron

From Matt Conner and Stephen Gregory Smith, a beautiful family experience with a powerful message of love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

Meshaun Labrone’s harrowing film ‘Spook’ now streaming on Tubi

Based on the haunting one-man play that debuted at Capital Fringe, a visceral exploration of American race relations, policing, and the criminal justice system.

Pianist Lara Downes and the mainstreaming of fully American music

Imagine if great music by diverse composers were presented not as special but rather as totally normal.

Nostalgia makes for a winning ‘A Christmas Story’ at Silver Spring Stage

An iconic holiday classic and a delightful trip down memory lane.

Nostalgic ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ charms at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

The show is wholesome, sentimental, and highlights the warmth and comfort of family.

Landless Theatre artists drop weird ‘Latchkey Kid’s Christmas Album’

From the folks who created sock-puppet ‘Urinetown’ comes a comedy band called The Bingle Jells.

What’s so funny about John Oliver

The Emmy-winning political comic has a standup gig at Kennedy Center that’s nearly sold out.

‘The Wizard of Oz: A British Pantomime’ is a delightful holiday romp

The traditionally British holiday panto meets the very American story of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in The British Players’ delightful production.

‘A Snowy Nite at the Dew Drop Inn’ sparks joy at Anacostia Playhouse

The show consists of popular R&B songs that featured Aframerican performers and is all about having a good time in a world full of dark, cold nights.

‘…(Iphigenia)’ opera at Kennedy Center pushes musical boundaries

The creators have thrown away the rulebook. It’s not jazz exactly and certainly not classical contemporary.

Improvised Shakespeare Company at KenCen is absolutely stunning

Their combination of improvisational comedy, poetry, sketch comedy, and theater is bafflingly impressive.

August Wilson’s personal passion takes center stage at Avant Bard

A laudable performance of the renowned playwright’s autobiographical ‘How I Learned What I Learned.’

‘Tootsie’ on tour at the National Theatre is a triumph

The comedy musical based on the famous movie shines with romantic insanity.

Theatre Washington debuts ‘Backstage at the Helen Hayes Awards’ series

A personal look into the lives that have made DC the second largest and most successful theater community in the nation.

NextStop Theatre slates five shows for winter/spring 2022

‘Every Brilliant Thing’ | ‘The Legend of Georgia McBride’ | ‘Nat Turner in Jerusalem’ | ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ | ‘Lucky Stiff’

A richly immersive ghost story in ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Olney

Performed solo by Paul Morella the way Dickens intended.

Washington Arts Ensemble sees bright future after pandemic launch

The young chamber music group begun by two Juilliard alums has already sold out monthly performances.

Beautifully simple ‘Man Covets Bird’ shines at Spooky Action Theater

A short and sweet escape into a parallel world with an invisible bird.

‘A Strange Loop’ at Woolly Mammoth is a knockout smash

Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer Prize–winning musical sings of a singular poet’s journey from self-loathing to self-respect.

IN Series reimagines ‘A Fairy Queen’ as an old-time radio program

In Artistic Director Timothy Nelson’s knowledgeable hands, the device comes off not like a gimmick but as a doorway into discovery.

The blues in ‘Seven Guitars’ at Arena Stage are exhilarating

The play sings to us about the African American genius for finding a way to make a way out of no way.

NextStop Theatre packs ‘Every Christmas Story’ into hysterical remix

Get a load of these fruitcakes — three wise-guy gals bearing timeless gifts of mirth

‘A Christmas Carol’ at Ford’s to benefit Theatre Washington Taking Care Fund

Inspired by the theme of charity in Dickens’s holiday classic, financial assistance to DC-area theater professionals in times of unforeseen hardship.

‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ thrills like fireworks at Olney

An evening full of stunning vocals and powerhouse performances.

In Synetic’s ‘Cinderella,’ a fantasy romance with Afro-Latin roots

Any child will love it. But so will any adult.

Imagination Stage begins in-person season with safety paramount

Five live productions to bring joy to the young and very young.

‘Tis the season to be screwball at Best Medicine Rep’s ‘On the Farce Day of Christmas’

Ken Levine’s comedy has the virtue of not being a holiday warhorse.

DC theater mourns the passing of Stephen Sondheim

A gathering of tributes shared on social media to a musical great who will live on — on our stages and in our hearts.

A quirky first date goes taboo in new episode from The Playwright Zone

The digital project was created by playwright John Becker to generate work opportunities and compensation for local artists.

In tribute to Stephen Sondheim, on ‘Being Alive’

Here are ten top versions of one of the great songs he left us.

DCMTA’s 2021 Holiday Theater Guide

A wishlist of great offerings in the DMV for every taste and price range.

Kennedy Center’s ‘Accoustic Rooster / Indigo Blume’ is a joyous smash hit

An amazing production filled with energy, courage, and hope.

Finegan Kruckemeyer on his magical ‘Man Covets Bird’ at Spooky Action

A man awakens as a stranger, finds a bird companion, and embarks on a fantastical quest of self-discovery…

A touching tribute to love and faith in ‘Secret Things’ at 1st Stage

Heartfelt, ironic, and mystical writing, a beautiful production, and a historical backstory of religious persecution.