Washington DC

Magic Time!: ‘Dogfight’ & ‘Dear Evan Hansen’: Pasek & Paul Transforming the Course of American Musical Theater

Last season The Keegan Theatre mounted a Vietnam War–era musical called Hair. In a column I described that production as “radiant and thrilling,” “an exuberant love fest as timeless as human hope.”...

The Edge of the Universe Players 2 Opens ‘Entertaining Mr. Sloane’ November 21st at The Writer’s Center

The Edge of the Universe Players 2 Announces its Fall 2015 Production Entertaining Mr Sloane by Joe Orton Plays November 21 through December 13, 2015 It’s the Swinging Sixties in London’s West End,...

Meet the Cast of The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s ‘Laughing Stock’: Part 1: Will MacLeod

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s production of Charles Morey’s Laughing Stock, meet Will MacLeod. Joel: Where have local audiences seen you...

Meet the Director and Cast of ‘Calendar Girls’ at McLean Community Players, Part 5: Jennifer Greene

In Part 5 of a series of interviews with The Playwright, Director, and cast of Calendar Girls at McLean Community Players meet Jennifer Greene. Joel: Tell our readers where they may have seen you on...

Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s Season in Review by Yves Nguyen

Children’s, youth, and student theatres exist all over the country, however, none are entirely run by any of the above, under the college age, other than the Metropolitan Youth Theatre in Washington...

‘Dogfight’ at The Keegan Theatre

A trip to the Keegan Theatre is a must for they are now presenting the first collaboration of the dynamic songwriting team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul—namely, the musical Dogfight (based on the...

DinoRock Productions Inc.’s ‘Dinosaur Desperados’ at The Puppet Co.

DinoRock Productions Inc. celebrates their 15th guest appearance at The Puppet Company with Dinosaur Desperados, a fun-filled show where the old west meets the old world. “Dino wranglers” Michele...

In The Moment: Sarah N. Schallern on Alden Theatre’s 2015-2016 Season

Perhaps out of the limelight to those beyond close-in Northern Virginia, the McLean Community Center is not only a “hub” of community activities but includes the wonderfully intimate, well-scheduled,...

Quotidian Theatre Company Presents Audrey Cefaly’s ‘Maytag Virgin’ October 2-November 1st As Part of the Women’s Voices Theater Festival

Quotidian Theatre Company Presents Audrey Cefaly’s New Southern Drama Maytag Virgin as Part of D.C.’s Women’s Voices Theater Festival Quotidian Theatre Company kicks off its dynamic 2016 season, and...

Mosaic Theater Company of DC Announces 36 Actors Slated for Their Inaugural Season by T. Chase Meacham

Helen Hayes Award winners and DC favorites join internationally recognized artists and strong newcomers in a company committed to telling diverse stories. Mosaic Theater Company of DC announces 36...

‘A Conversation With the Man Who Killed My Son’ at Dynamic Wellness

Twice a week in this land of the free, a white police officer kills a black person—this according to under-reported stats from the FBI. From the official law-enforcement point of view, these are...

The Beach Boys at Wolf Trap

Nostalgic Fun for all Generations: The Beach Boys at Wolf Trap Great music and good weather brought audiences out in droves to Wolf Trap for an unforgettable afternoon with the iconic band, The Beach...

The Women’s Voices Theater Festival: ‘Witches Vanish’ at Venus Theatre Company

Underlying Witches Vanish, the new play by Venus Theatre Company (and third entry in the DC area-wide Women’s Voices Theater Festival), is a cold bedrock of fact: A tremendous amount of women are...

‘Kiss Me Kate’ at NextStop Theatre Company

When Cole Porter’s classic musical Kiss Me Kate first premiered on Broadway, it featured a cast of 40 singers and dancers. This makes sense, as there are many roles in this show and enthusiastic,...

‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ at Scena Theatre

Scena Theatre has brought back its hit 2011 production of The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy of errors, and DC’s summer just got wittier and sweeter. In Scena’s delectable...

Meet the Director and Cast of ‘Calendar Girls’ at McLean Community Players, Part 4: Jennifer Levy

In Part 4 of a series of interviews with The Playwright, Director, and cast of Calendar Girls at McLean Community Players meet Jennifer Levy. Joel: Tell our readers where they may have seen you on...

Gladys Knight and the O’Jays at Wolf Trap

“Tonight is all about love!” proclaimed the Empress of Soul, Gladys Knight herself, as she and the O’Jays gave the crowd an amazing night out at Wolf Trap on Saturday, August 22, 2015. And indeed it...

‘2015 One-Act Festival’: Weekend 1 at Silver Spring Stage

A night of One-Act Plays is always interesting. It gives new or little-known playwrights a chance to shine. It gives new directors a shot at showing their talent. Actors who may never have had a...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Summer 2015 Scene Stealers Part 2

Here is Part 2 of DCMetroTheaterArts’ staff’s Summer 2015 Scene Stealers. Congrats to our honorees. ______ Erin Adams as Kate Monster Singing “There’s a A Fine, Fine Line” in Avenue Q at Stillpointe...

Tonight at 6 PM & Tomorrow at 3 PM: ‘A Conversation With the Man That Killed My Son’ at Dynamic Wellness in DC-Reflections from The Cast by Gwen Lewis

Tonight at 6 PM and Tomorrow at 3 PM, Jacqui Brown’s powerful play A Conversation with the Man Who Killed My Son will have only two performances at Dynamic Wellness – 402 H Street Northeast, in...

Meet the Director and Cast of ‘Calendar Girls’ at McLean Community Players, Part 3: Liz Weber

In Part 3 of a series of interviews with The Playwright, Director, and cast of Calendar Girls at McLean Community Players meet Liz Weber. Tell our readers where they may have seen you on local stages....

Noah Chiet on Performing in ‘One in the Chamber’ at The Mead Theatre Lab

Noah Chiet talks about playing Adam in the critically acclaimed One in the Chamber, now playing at The Mead Theatre Lab. Joel: When did you first get the ‘theater bug’ and what is your first memory of...

‘The Fix’ at Signature Theatre by David Siegel

“Public office is a minefield” so you better just “Grit your teeth, sell the lies” though “maybe I’m just too blunt to survive” are lyrics that provide some of the central posits in The Fix now...

‘The Fix’ at Signature Theatre by Katie Bogdan

“If I can’t be the wife of the president, you bet your ass I’ll be the mother.” These words, sung by Violet Chandler (Christine Sherrill), set the roller coaster of a ride that is The Fix in motion....

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at Wolf Trap

Few people in the world have a voice so iconic that they are recognizable after only one note. What was inescapable last night in that bandstand in Virginia is that Frankie Valli is without a doubt...

Donate to Help Director Gabriele Jakobi With Her Medical Bills

In June 2015, Theater Director Gabriele Jakobi (Gabi) suffered a serious stroke while preparing to direct Chekov’s The Three Sisters for Scena Theatre in Washington, DC. As a result, her medical bills...

Arts Collective @ HCC’s ‘Underground Rooftop Coffee House: Voices from the Edge’ on Thursday, September 10, 2015 AT 7 PM by Susan G. Kramer

Arts Collective’s “What Improv Group?!?!” partners with HCC’s Creative Writers and HoCoPoLitSo to fuse improv with powerful stories inspired by poets and writers Howard Community College’s (HCC) Arts...

Update: The March on Washington for Gun Control Presents “26 Pebbles” on Monday, August 24th at 8 PM at Arena Stage

Monday, August 24, 2015 at 8 PM At Arena Stage-In the Kogod Cradle 1101 6th St., SW in Washington, DC 20024 Price: $20. Tickets are available at the Arena Stage Sales Office, by phone 202-488-3300, or...

Reflections from The Cast of ‘A Conversation With the Man That Killed My Son’ Playing This Sat and Sun 8/22 & 23 at Dynamic Wellness in DC by Gwen Lewis

This upcoming Saturday and Sunday, Jacqui Brown’s powerful play A Conversation with the Man Who Killed My Son will have only two performances at Dynamic Wellness – 402 H Street Northeast, in...

In The Moment: A Preview of the DC Shorts Film Festival & Screenplay Competition September 10-20th

Ah, the end of August. The August month-long Congressional recess will be ending soon. DC area schools at all levels are opening momentarily. We can only hope that the recent mid-summer-time swoon of...

Meet the Playwright, Director, and Cast of ‘Tying the Knot’ Part 6: Suzanne Young, by Daniel Douek

In Part 6 of a series of interviews with The Playwright, Director, and cast of Tying the Knot at the Baltimore Playwright’s Festival, playing at Fells Point Corner Theatre, meet Suzanne Young...

Meet the Director and Cast of ‘Calendar Girls’ at McLean Community Players, Part 2: Kathryn (Katie) Johnston

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with The Playwright, Director, and cast of Calendar Girls at McLean Community Players, meet Kathryn (Katie) Johnston. Tell our readers where they may have seen you...

Last Weekend for ‘The Wiz’ at The Gaithersburg Arts Barn-Watch the Preview Video!

It’s the final weekend for The Wiz at The Gaithersburg Arts Barn. DCMTA’s Anne Vandercook said in her review: “Rarely have I ever witnessed a harder working ensemble. This group really put their all...

‘The Pillowman’ at 4615 Theater Company

Two days before seeing the closing performance of Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman by the newish 4615 Theater Company, I received an email from director and 4615 Artistic Director Jordan Friend: “About...

‘Summer Hummer IV: Foreplay!’ at Signature Theatre Benefits theatreWashington’s ‘Taking Care of Our Own’

Summer Hummer IV: Foreplay! made its two-show debut last night at Signature Theatre. If you didn’t plan properly or were on vacation, you missed a provocative evening of fun and frolic at Signature’s...

The Women’s Voices Theater Festival: ‘What Do Women Want? Playwrights Edition’

The opening of the Women’s Voices Theater Festival is a good time to reflect on the state of gender parity in the American theatre, in respect to playwrights. The numbers are, frankly, appalling....

‘Summer Hummer IV: Foreplay!’ Takes Off Tonight at 7:30 and 9:30 PM at Signature Theatre

Summer Hummer IV: Foreplay! the take-it-off burlesque is back at Signature Theatre TONIGHT, August 17th, for two shows to raise funds for theatreWashington’s Taking Care of Our Own. Purchase your...

The Women’s Voices Theater Festival: ‘#DeathParty’: ‘How We Died of Disease-Related Illness’ and ‘Bones in Whispers’ at Longacre Lea

The eagerly anticipated Women’s Voices Theatre Festival kicked off with the opening of Longacre Lea’s production of two world-premiere one-acts, which the company collectively dubs #DeathParty. The...

‘Ode to Peace: A Symphonic Choral Concert’ at The Clarice

Lights dim as the sirens of an air raid swarm the area. A sea of blue gowns dazzle up top, while black and white tuxedos populate an expansive auditorium. A moment of silence brings memories of fallen...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Summer 2015 Scene Stealers: Part 1

The summer of 2015 brought many Scene Stealing moments and here is Part 1 of some of our favorites. ______ Hassan Allen as Hero and Molly Janiga as Philia Singing “Lovely’ in A Funny Happened on the...

Lyle Lovett & His Large Band at Wolf Trap

Genre-bending artist Lyle Lovett tore up the stage at the Filene Center with his Large Band. It feels like three bands in one – a country band heavy on guitar and fiddle, a blues band with a full horn...

In The Moment: An Interview with Richard Heinrich, Mario Baldessari, and Lynn Sharp Spears on Spooky Action Theater’s Reading of ‘The Bison Beast of Dubois’ on 8/22 & 23

Having recently returned from some time away in Wyoming from the hustling of DC, my eyes widened when I saw an email from Spooky Action Theatre for several staged readings for a play that takes place...

Counting Crows at Wolf Trap

With the ascension of their seventh studio album, Somewhere Under Wonderland, California-based folk-rock band Counting Crows returned to Wolf Trap last night, reunifying droves of primarily 30 to...

‘Solomon and Marion’ at Anacostia Playhouse

Anacostia Playhouse hosts “dog days of summer theater festival” this August 2015 and for its mid-August show they have Solomon and Marion, Lara Foot Newton’s touching drama about the search for...

Tom Teasley’s Musical Accompaniment of the 1926 Animated Film, ‘The Adventures of Prince Achmed’ at Constellation Theatre Company

In his own singular musical fashion, Tom Teasley skillfully hooked his Constellation Theatre Company audience to take a venture to the long ago and far away but in a most modern manner. Teasley was a...

Meet the Director and Cast of ‘Kiss Me Kate’ at NextStop Theatre Company: Part 1: Director Michael J. Bobbitt

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of Kiss Me Kate at NextStop Theatre Company, meet Director Michael J. Bobbitt. Joel: Please tell our readers about yourself and about other shows on...

Meet the Cast of McLean Community Players’ ‘Calendar Girl’: Part 1: Diane Sams

Meet the cast of McLean Community Players’ Calendar Girls. In Part 1, meet Diane Sams. Joel: Tell our readers where they may have seen you on local stages. Diane: I have been around the area for a...

The March on Washington for Gun Control Presents “26 Pebbles” on Monday, August 24th at 8 PM at Arena Stage

Monday, August 24, 2015 at 8 PM At Arena Stage-In the Kogod Cradle 1101 6th St., SW in Washington, DC 20024 Price: $20. Tickets are available at the Arena Stage Sales Office, by phone 202-488-3300, or...

Jim Gaffigan’s ‘Contagious Tour’ at Wolf Trap

Jim Gaffigan brought his “Contagious” tour to Wolf Trap on Wednesday, August 12, 2015, treating the sold-out crowd to jokes and quips about the oddities of life that made for near-constant laughter....

McLean Community Players Presents Tim Firth’s ‘Calendar Girls’ September 18 – October 3, 2015

McLean Community Players Present Tim Firth’s Calendar Girls September 18 – October 3, 2015, in McLean’s Alden Theatre The McLean Community Players (MCP) present the area premiere of Tim Firth’s...