Washington DC

‘A Commedia Christmas Carol’ by Jessica Vaughan

Faction of Fools Theatre Company combines Charles Dickens and Commedia Dell’Arte this Christmas for an inspired production of A Commedia Christmas Carol. The larger than life fable with its...

‘The Santaland Diaries’ by Anne Tsang

When I was first introduced to David Sedaris in college, I was hooked from the first word by his sardonic humor. The Santaland Diaries, chronicles his adventures (or should I say mis-adventures?) as...

‘A Christmas Carol’ at The Little Theatre of Alexandria by Julia L. Exline

The Little Theatre of Alexandria presents A Christmas Carol, the beloved holiday classic by Charles Dickens about a miserly old man who is visited by three cautionary spirits on Christmas Eve. Rachel...

Eileen Ivers at Wolf Trap by Jessica Vaughan

Eileen Ivers brought down The Barns at Wolf Trap in an evening of blazing fiddles and holiday classics with her fantastic band Immigrant Soul. Eileen Ivers is a fiddle player from the Bronx, or as she...

‘Pullman Porter Blues’ at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater by Jennifer Perry

Often I find that the productions in our area that interest me the most are ones that take a lesser-known story, concept, or theme, bring it to life with extraordinary actors, and entertain local...

An Interview with E. Faye Butler on Playing Sister Juba in “Pullman Porter Blues’ at Arena Stage by Joel Markowitz

E. Faye Butler returns to Arena Stage as Sister Juba in Pullman Porter Blues. E. Faye fills us in on the history of The Pullman Porters and how they helped African Americans to come into the middle...

‘Miracle on 34th Street’ at The Montgomery Playhouse by Anne Tsang

One of my favorite holiday memories as a child was putting on a pretty dress and going to stand in the line at Macy’s in Herald Square with my cousins for our annual visit and photos with Santa. My...

Lar Lubovitch Dance Company at The Kennedy Center by Breena Siegel

Lar Lubovitch displays his work of artful dance at the Kennedy Center for two nights only. He is amongst the brilliant choreographers on the contemporary dance lineup for the 2012 – 2013 season. Lar’s...

DCMTA’S “Favorite Quotes From Our Favorite Shows of the Week” – November 22-29, 2012 by Joel Markowitz

Here’s something new on DCMetroTheaterArts! Every Friday, I will be posting my favorite quotes from our 5-star reviews of the week. Here we go! (1) Dreamgirls at Signature Theatre. Andrew L. Baughman:...

Gay Men’s Chorus Presents ‘Winter Nights’ Tonight and Saturday at Lisner Auditorium by Taunee Grant

Welcome the holiday season in style, with bold backdrops, stunning costumes and lights, dancers, and a Chorus of over 200 singers. Winter Nights proves to be one of the biggest – if not the biggest –...

Kathleen Mitchell to be Honored at Washington Savoyards at Atlas on December 10th

On December 10, 2012, Washington Savoyards is hosting a fundraiser in honor of Kathleen Mitchell’s 10 years of leadersdhip. The event will take place at Atlas Performing Arts Center. Expect to hear...

The British Players’ ‘The Princess and the Sprout’ Opens Tonight

The British Players present THE PRINCESS AND THE SPROUT. This traditional holiday pantomime, a theatrical treat that for centuries has entertained audiences all around the British Isles. Delight in...

Gay Men’s Chorus Presents ‘Winter Nights’ Tomorrow and Saturday at Lisner Auditorium by Taunee Grant

Welcome the holiday season in style, with bold backdrops, stunning costumes and lights, dancers, and a Chorus of over 200 singers. Winter Nights proves to be one of the biggest – if not the biggest –...

Loverly Things are Bloomin’ at Arena Stage Friday Through Sunday by Julia Suszynski

COSTUME-THEMED FLORAL CONTEST AND EXHIBIT ISN’T SHE LOVERLY: DESIGN IN BLOOM AT ARENA STAGE AT THE MEAD CENTER FOR AMERICAN THEATER FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30 – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2012 In celebration of...

‘Dreamgirls’ at Signature Theatre by Andrew L. Baughman

“You’re gonna love me,” wails Nova Y. Payton as cast-off lead singer Effie White in the showstopper Act I finale of Signature’s Dreamgirls. Payton makes good on her promise: I do love her. In fact, I...

Anime Momotaro Premieres On The East Coast at Imagination Stage January 30-March 10, 2013 by Deb Fiscella

Anime Momotaro Premieres On The East Coast An Action-Packed Anime Adventure January 30 – March 10, 2013 Anime Momotaro is a staging of a famous Japanese folktale that teaches powerful lessons about...

An Interview with Choreographer Maida Withers on ‘Collision Course – a.k.a. Pillow Talk’ by Rick Westerkamp

Maida Withers is an artist with extraordinary gifts for dance and choreography. She loves not know and is as interested in the discovery as in the performance. And artist who has reinvented herself...

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Shakespeare Theatre Company by Grace Kim

Escape from your daily grind and let the beautiful poetry of Shakespeare’s lyrical tale take you to another realm. That realm belongs to darling mischievous Puck – as you will witness in Shakespeare...

Olney Theatre Center Extends ‘Cinderella’ to January 6, 2013 by Laura Asendio

Olney Theatre Center Announces Extension of Cinderella Olney Theatre Center’ Cinderella is now extended through January 6, 2013! OLNEY, MD – November 26, 2012 – Olney Theatre Center announces the...

‘The Commedia Puss in Boots’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre (‘MET’) by Mike Spain

The Fun Company at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre has brought back the Commedia Troupe from last year’s wonderful production of The Commedia Pinnochio. This year it’s the cat with the sword – the...

FallFringe Review: ‘R.U.X.’ (Rockwell’s Universal seXbots) by Cyle Durkee

Robot Sex. Perfect Fringe show, right? You would think so. And it almost is. R.U.X. is about an embattled businessman named Rockwell. Rockwell Jr. to be precise. His father’s company has been...

Duncan Sheik and ‘Sunset Sessions Tour 2012’ at The Birchmere by Mike Spain

Duncan Sheik performed at The Birchmere last night with Courrier – an alternative rock band out of Austin,Texas – as a fitting opening act. The concert hall – with intimate seating with tables coming...

Tonight: Performers Announced for “La-Ti-Do: “We Love You Long Time!” by Don Michael Mendoza

TONIGHT – MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2012 AT 8 PM La-Ti-Do At Black Fox Lounge 1723 Connecticut Avenue Northwest Washington, DC 20009 $10 cover charge at the door. Doors open at 7:50 pm for an 8 pm start....

Elden Street Players’ Theater for Young Audiences Presents ‘A Christmas Chaos’ by Melissa York-Tilley

A Christmas Chaos at Elden Street Players “A satire of theatrical backstage mayhem and Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.” Written by Michael Wehrli. What’s the Elden Street Players Theater for Young...

‘The Night Before Christmas’ at Theater Alliance by Flora Scott

My family always bought a live tree. It was trimmed with wood ornaments from far away lands, candy canes, tinsel, and was topped with a wax angel in a burgundy dress. But the finishing touch was the...

‘The Nutcracker’ at The Puppet Co. by Julia L. Exline

The Puppet Co. presents Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, a holiday classic beautifully re-imagined through puppetry. The multi-talented Christopher Piper, who holds the titles of performer,...

‘A Chanticleer Christmas’ at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts by Amanda Gunther

A bright holiday tradition kicks off this festive season as George Mason University’s Center for the Arts presents A Chanticleer Christmas. Twelve men with the perfect voices for this jubilant time of...

‘Tap Dogs’ at The Music Center at Strathmore by Jessica Vaughan

Six tap dancers brought the house down at The Music Center at Strathmore in a spectacular performance of the Aussie sensation Tap Dogs. It is a surround sound and sight experience as six dancers build...

Tonight: Tony Award Winner Duncan Sheik Brings ‘The Sunset Sessions Tour’ to Birchmere by Joel Markowitz

Tony Award winner Duncan Sheik (for his score of Spring Awakening) brings his THE SUNSET SESSIONS TOUR to The Birchmere – 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, in Alexandria, VA TONIGHT at 7:30 PM. Joining him...

‘Luck Be a Lady: Megan Hilty Sings Sinatra and More’ by Francine Schwartz

One can never have too much Joie de Vivre. Further proof was Luck Be a Lady: Megan Hilty Sings Sinatra and More, featuring Broadway’s Megan Hilty and Aaron Lazar. Megan has starred in Gentlemen Prefer...

‘They’re the Altar Boyz’ Part Six: Meet Jonathan Walker by Joel Markowitz

Here is Part 6 of our series of behind the scenes interviews with the director and cast of 1st Stage’s Altar Boyz. Now, meet Jonathan Walker. Jonathan: My name is Jonathan Walker and to be honest, I...

Tony Award Winner Duncan Sheik Brings ‘The Sunset Sessions Tour’ to The Birchmere This Sunday at 7:30 PM

Tony Award winner Duncan Sheik (for his score of Spring Awakening) brings his THE SUNSET SESSIONS TOUR to The Birchmere – 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, in Alexandria, VA at 7:30 PM. Joining him will be...

‘They’re the Altar Boyz’ Part Five: Meet BJ Gruber by Joel Markowitz

Here is Part 5 of our series of behind the scenes interviews with the director and cast of 1st Stage’s Altar Boyz. Now, meet BJ Gruber. BJ: My name is BJ Gruber and I’ve been acting professionally for...

Spooky Action Theater Gains Support from Advisory Neighborhood Commission by Richard Heinrich

A Big Step Forward: Spooky Action Theater Gains Support from Advisory Neighborhood Commission ANC-2B met Wednesday, November 14 to review the Universalist National Memorial Church’s application for a...

‘Jekyll & Hyde’ at The Kennedy Center by Mara Bayewitz

Jekyll and Hyde is simply miraculous, and chilling, sexy, romantic, ironic, dangerous, tragic, jaded, modern, classic, kinky, edgy, and absolutely spectacular. The musical is based on the acclaimed...

E. Faye Butler on Playing Sister Juba in ‘Pullman Porter Blues’ at Arena Stage by Joel Markowitz

E. Faye Butler returns to Arena Stage as Sister Juba in Pullman Porter Blues. E. Faye fills us in on the history of The Pullman Porters and how they helped African Americans to come into the middle...

‘A Little House Christmas’ at Adventure Theatre MTC by Julia L. Exline

Adventure Theatre MTC presents A Little House Christmas, based on the beloved book series of Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House on the Prairie), and adapted by James DeVita. Recommended for ages 4+,...

‘The Aliens’ at The Studio Theatre by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

“you may not believe it but there are people who go through life with very little friction or distress.” – excerpted from Charles Bukowski’s poem, “The Aliens” What makes ordinary people and ordinary...

‘Cinderella’ at Olney Theatre Center by Amada Gunther

His royal highness Christopher Rupert Vwindemier Vlandamier Carl Alexander Francois Reginald Lancelot Herman Gregory James — is giving a ball! And not just any ball! But the ball of a lifetime, a...

‘Seussical’ at Imagination Stage by Mariya Danilenko

Seussical at Imagination Stage brings the curious land of Dr. Seuss tales, and many of their characters, all together in one theatre. It is a holiday show designed for children and families, and is a...

Howard Levy with David Siebold at The Barns at Wolf Trap by Francine Schwartz

Friday night, The Barns at Wolf Trap hosted multiple Grammy Award winner, an acknowledged master of the diatonic harmonica. The man is a superb pianist, innovative composer, recording artist,...

‘The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg’ at The Kennedy Center by Grace Kim

The Kennedy Center’s production of the 2010 Newbery Honor Book winner by Rodman Philbrick, The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg, is a perfect show for the kids to see. Adapted by Tom Isbell and...

‘Dancing in the Wings’ at Hylton Performing Arts Center by Audrey Thornton

If you have two hours to spare this beautiful Sunday afternoon, and want to enjoy a world-class venue in a beautiful performing arts space, hurry to reserve your family seats at the Hylton Performing...

‘James Joyce’s The Dead’ at Quotidian Theatre Company by Jessica Vaughan

Quotidian Theatre Company’s powerful and moving production of James Joyce’s The Dead is their first musical, or, as Director and company co-founder Jack Sbarbori puts it, a “play with music.” He has...

Olivia Newton-John at The Music Center at Strathmore by Jane Coyne

The Music Center at Strathmore was filled to the brim Friday night as four-time Grammy Award winning singer Olivia Newton-John, seemingly timeless in looks, personality, and talent, took the stage to...

‘The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart’ at Shakespeare Theatre Company

The Shakespeare Theatre Company has shifted venues for a start; to a cozy pub as they present The National Theatre of Scotland’s The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart. A storytelling show that takes...

‘The Merry Widow’ at Catholic University by Flora Scott

Because Ward Recital Hall at Catholic University is an old ecclesial building originally intended as a facility for liturgical music, there will always be an undeniable piety in it’s structure and...

‘Die Zauberflöte’ (‘The Magic Flute’) at U of MD’s Maryland Opera Studio

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) is widely considered to be Mozart’s masterpiece, a label which brings with it high expectations. Fortunately, those expectations were more than amply fulfilled in the...

fallFringe: ‘Double Consciousness Redux’ by Cyle Durkee

Double Consciousness Redux (DCR){carpel tunnel is something that is going to happen to other people}) begins with a haunting scene in which comes onto the stage assisted by two nurses in white. The...

‘Flamenco: Territorio DeMente’ at Gala Hispanic Theatre by Colleen Sproull

A full house greeted me as I took my seat at the trendy Gala Hispanic Theatre for an exciting evening of Flamenco: Territorio DeMente, part of Fuego Flamenco VIII. A Flamenco virgin, I was mystified...