Washington DC

Diane Schuur at Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club

Two–time Grammy Award winner Diane Schuur showcased her blazing and versatile musical talent in a powerhouse, perfectly-pitched concert at the Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club on Friday, June 6th...

‘Bastianello & Lucrezia’ at Urban Arias

Beautifully sung, hilariously acted, perfectly directed, brilliantly composed (John Musto for Bastianello and William Bolcom for Lucrezio), cleverly written (both by Mark Campbell)- these are just...

5 Top Scene Stealers of the Week-Week Ending 6/5/14

Here are our 5 Top Scene Stealers for the week ending June 5, 2014. Congrats to all our honorees! ______ (1) Florrie Bagel as Sister Mary Patrick singing “Sunday Morning Fever” in Sister Act at...

Preview: Pennsylvania Ballet Brings A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ to The Kennedy Center

A few years ago the dance planners at The Kennedy Center came up with a terrific idea: Invite nine regional ballet companies to perform one special work in three separate concerts, held towards the...

Smokey Robinson Presented by WHUR at The Music Center at Strathmore

Smokey Robinson is still on fire fifty three years since he was the first artist signed to Motown Records. In an evening filled with golden oldies and a couple of newer songs, including “Love Bath,”...

Alan Paul on Directing ‘Bastianello’ and ‘Lucrezia’ at Urban Arias

Performances begin tomorrow night, June 6th at 8 PM for two short comic operas –Bastianello and Luxrezia– at Urban Arias at Artisphere. Director Alan Paul gives us a short preview of what we will see...

Meet the Cast of NextStop Theatre Company’s ‘Into the Woods’: Part 7: Danny Tippett and Scott Gaines

These guys got lost in the woods and some witch told us where we could find them-so in between battling witches, wolves, and giants and before they packed up their magic beans and white cows, these...

‘West Side Story’ at The National Theatre

“Boy, boy, crazy boy! Stay loose, boy! Breeze it, buzz it, easy does it. Turn off the juice, boy! Go man, go, But not like a yo-yo schoolboy. Just play it cool, boy, Real cool!” Unfortunately Director...

‘In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre

The doctor is in at Maryland Ensemble Theatre as they close out their 2013/2014 season with In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play. Directed by Julie Herber, this illuminating comedy covers the...

‘Ordinary Days’ at Round House Theatre

There is certainly nothing ordinary about Round House Theatre’s current production entitled Ordinary Days. Indeed, how often does one come across a totally “sung-through” meditation on relationships...

‘Life is a Dream’ (‘La Vida Es Sueno’) at Shakespeare Theatre Company and Spain Arts and Culture

I’ll admit it – I came for the tapas. Recently, I’ve had the good fortune to review performances that feature culinary elements: last week it was Last Call by Nameless, which, as part of their Happy...

‘Rumors’ at Providence Players of Fairfax

Rumors is Neil Simon’s first farce and The Providence Players of Fairfax wring every possible laugh out of it. The zingers fly everywhere, and Director Liz Mykietyn and her hilarious and hard-working...

‘The Flamingos’ at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club

Art deco glitz was the perfect ambiance for the sophisticated glamour of The Flamingos’ class-act performance, Sunday night, at the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. The Flamingos’ old-school music...

Andrea Rost, Soprano: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Independent Hungary Gala Concert at The Warner Theatre

Soprano Andrea Rost, whose career began in European opera houses, must have felt at home in the Warner’s lavishly appointed, gilded and crystal-chandeliered art deco interior, the stage’s ornate...

‘Kwaidan’ at Spooky Action Theater

The invention and innovativeness of Spooky Action Theater are endless, and for the first time they are using the entire physical space of The Universalist National Memorial Church – where they have...

‘The Prostate Dialogues’ at Theater J

Theater J’s finale to its fine 2013–2014 season turns out to be a surprisingly poignant solo performance about a man’s privates. Storyteller Jon Spelman is our genial guide; the genitals in question...

Meet the Cast of Spooky Action Theater’s ‘Kwaidan’: Part 1: David Gaines and Tuyet Thi Pham

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of Spooky Action Theater’s Kwaidan, meet David Gaines and Tuyet Thi Pham. Joel: Why did you want to become a member of the cast of Kwaidan? David:...

‘Comfort and Joy’: Appearing in 1st Stage’s ‘Bat Boy:The Musical’: Part 2: Jimmy Mavrikes

In Part Two of a series of interviews with the cast of Bat Boy:The Musical at 1st Stage, meet Jimmy Mavrikes. Joel: Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they might have seen you on the stage...

‘Judgment at Nuremberg’ at The American Century Theater

The American Century Theater (TACT) has offered the DC Metro theatergoer a chance to see a classic rarely produced play, Abby Mann’s Judgment at Nuremberg, and they have succeeded in presenting a...

‘Magic Time!’ ‘Judgment at Nuremberg’ at The American Century Theater

A resounding round of applause is owed The American Century Theater (TACT), whose sharp, smart production of Judgment at Nuremberg brings this towering play to DC Metro audiences at last. As Artistic...

‘Bat Boy: The Musical’ at 1st Stage

In 1992, the Weekly World News supermarket tabloid published an article with the headline “Bat Child Found In A Cave”. Over the past 20 years Bat Boy has been seen everywhere from running for the...

SPINE: Theatre, History & Culture in the Belly of the Beast: ‘The Last Days of Judas, Jesus, Justice, and the Born Again?’

“When will the cold Christ Quit breathing twice” Robert Hazel, American Poet Apparently never, or at least not until a new god, Christ’s child perhaps, takes his place on Mount New York City. Until...

‘The 12 Dancing Princesses’ at Encore Stage & Studio

Encore Stage and Studio presents The 12 Dancing Princesses, adapted for the stage by Matthew Heap. Executive Director Sara Strehle Duke, Artistic Director Susan Alison Keady, and Director Sarah Conrad...

‘Titus Andronicus’ at Faction of Fools

I’ll be the first to admit that I was… concerned when I heard that one of DC’s funniest acting troupes was staging one of Shakespeare’s trickiest tragedies. I’ll also be the first to admit that I...

Meet the Cast of NextStop Theatre Company’s ‘Into the Woods’ Part 6: Suzanne Stanley and Ryan Manning

In between battling witches, wolves, and giants the cast of NextStop Theatre Company’s Into the Woods shared with us their journey of preparing for their roles in this popular Stephen Sondheim...

‘Carousel Latino: ‘Cancionero Latino: A Latino Romantic Songbook’ at The In Series

The In Series, one of DC’s local artistic treasures, mounts an earnest and breezy series of cabaret evenings billed as Carousel Latino. The second evening is Cancionero Latino: A Latino Romantic...

‘Rajaton: The Music of ABBA’ at The Kennedy Center Concert Hall

The Kennedy Center Concert Hall had its roof blown off last night in an explosion of sound, light, dance and sheer grooviness. The National Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Pops conductor...

Film Review: ‘Madame Parliamentarian’: A Film by Rouane Itani

Rarely do we see the poetically evocative adjective “arabesque” outside the ballet. So being invited to “An Arabesque Event” held an irresistible charm. As it turned out, the title was more figurative...

Nibbles and Sips: Taberna del Alabardero Celebrates 25 Years, Toro Toro Opens, New Farmers Market Opens in Mosaic District, Cassatt/Degas Exhibit at the National Gallery of Art, Great Taste of Tyson’s, and “Fed Up” Makes the Case Against Sugar

Taberna del Alabardero Celebrates 25 Years, Toro Toro Opens, New Farmers Market Opens in Mosaic District, Cassatt/Degas Exhibit at the National Gallery of Art, Great Taste of Tyson’s, and “Fed Up”...

‘Speaking of Shakespeare, Falstaff, and King Henry IV’ with Stacy Keach and Edward Gero at the Woman’s National Democratic Club

What’s the best place to enjoy a scrumptious lunch surrounded by ever-changing exhibits by local artists, while hearing celebrated actors and writers engage each other in stimulating, illuminating...

Suspect Arrested Tonight in the Frank Britton Assault

Tonight 18-year-old Elijah Jeremiah Smith of Washington, DC, was arrested in the assault and robbery of actor Frank Britton earlier this week in Silver Spring, MD. According to Montgomery County...

‘Last Call’ at Nameless’ Happy Hour Theatre

In Washington, D.C., there is probably no more sensitive and emotionally laden topic than gentrification. So it is refreshingly relevant that the new company Nameless chose to premiere the first show...

‘Carousel Latino: Lady of Spain’ at The In Series

The In Series, one of DC’s local artistic treasures, mounts an earnest and breezy series of cabaret evenings billed as Carousel Latino. The first evening, Lady Of Spain is a collection of popular...

‘Comfort and Joy’: Appearing in 1st Stage’s ‘Bat Boy:The Musical’: Part 1: Farrell Parker

In Part One of a series of interviews with the cast of Bat Boy:The Musical at 1st Stage, meet Farrell Parker. Joel: Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they might have seen you on the stage...

’42nd Street’ at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre

Come and meet those dancing feet on the avenue down at the docks of Annapolis as the Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre presents 42nd Street to kick-off their summer of 2014 season. With well-dressed...

Hungarian Opera Star Andrea Rost Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Fall of the Iron Curtain Tomorrow at 5:30 PM at the Warner

Andrea Rost performs Tomorrow Night, May 29th at 5:30 PM at the Warner for the Hungarian American Coalition gala celebrating the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain and of a free and...

‘The Last Days of Judas Iscariot’ at Forum Theatre

Redemption on Trial Celebrating Forum Theatre’s 10th Season, is the Helen Hayes-nominated return production of The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, directed by John Vreeke.The 2005 play written by Stephen...

Meet the Cast of NextStop Theatre Company’s ‘Into the Woods’ Part 5: Priscilla Cuellar

In between battling witches, wolves, and giants the cast of NextStop Theatre Company’s Into the Woods shared with us their journey of preparing for their roles in this popular Stephen Sondheim...

‘The Schemings of Scapin’ at Annapolis Shakespeare Company

Bodies are humorous again! For two years running now! Returning for their second annual “Comedy in the Courtyard” series, Annapolis Shakespeare Company is back and bringing the laughter to...

Actor Frank Britton is Assaulted and Injured on His Way Home From the Cast Party of ‘Judas Iscariot’ Last Night

Actor Frank Britton was mugged and beaten on his way home last night from the cast party after the opening of The Last Days of Judas Iscariot at Forum Theatre. He is in Holy Cross Hospital in Silver...

Nameless’ ‘Happy Hour Theater’ Opens ‘Last Call’ This Thursday May 29th at 6 PM

NAMELESS THEATRE PREMIERES, LAST CALL A PROVOCATIVE LOOK AT A GENTRIFYING DC Last Call, by A’Leighsha C. Butler, directed by Nia M. Barge May 29th and June 5th Happy Hour Starts at 6 pm. Show Starts...

Meet Director Liz Mykietyn and the Cast of The Providence Players of Fairfax’s ‘Rumors’ by Chip Gertzog

This weekend, The Providence Players of Fairfax (PPF) open Neil Simon’s Rumors in Falls Church for a three-week run. Meet Director Liz Mykietyn. Tell us about yourself Liz. How long have you been...

Department Chair and Artistic Director Kevin Kuchar on Act Two @ Levine’s ‘Pre-Professional Program’ by Lauren Selman

With the close of their second season of Pre-Professional training just two weeks ago, I had a chance to catch up with Department Chair and Artistic Director Kevin Kuchar, from “Act Two @ Levine” to...

GI Film Festival: ‘Heroes Then and Now’ and Awards Announced

Saturday night the GI Film Festival continued its weeklong run at the Old Town Theater with huge VIPs in attendance. GIFF welcomed actor Adam Driver of the HBO Hit Girls and soon starring in Star...

‘On the Wheels of a Dream’ Part 4: The Family Group: Santina Maiolatesi (Mother), Cory Jones (Father), and Brian Nabors (Younger Brother)

In New Rochelle, a family who was really just your ordinary upper class family of the time, came to experience life far different from the one they knew when Mother discovered a baby in the dirt of...

‘The Wiz’ at The Creative and Performing Arts Center at The Hylton Performing Arts Center

Since Judy Garland first went over the technicolor rainbow in 1939, audiences across America have been captivated by the story of Dorothy, Munchinland, and the Wicked Witch of the West. The story of...

‘A Prairie Home Companion’ with Garrison Keillor and Special Guests: Heather Masse & Vince Giordano

“I hear that old piano…”. These famous words open Garrison Keillor’s weekly program every Saturday night throughout the year. Wolf Trap has returned to tradition once again as it premiers its 2014...

‘The Eccentricities of a Nightingale’ at The Rude Mechanicals

Even the most knowledgeable theatre fan would be forgiven for not being familiar with Tennessee Williams’ lesser-known play The Eccentricities of a Nightingale. Unlike other works from the legendary...

An Interview With Kieyontaye D. Johnson-Carter, Author of ‘Love in Time of HIV’

When I first saw Love in Time of HIV in May 2012, I was deeply impressed. Giving voice to a young generation’s encounter with the health crisis left them by their elders, the play by Kieyontaye D....

Washington Performing Arts: Chris Botti

Washington Performing Arts Produces an Electrifying Concert Grammy-winning trumpeter Chris Botti was born to entertain. A mesmerizing trumpet player, Botti can play hot and he can play smooth. Botti...