Washington DC

‘Don’t Bury The Story in a Musical’ by David Rohde

Every musical has a story for the audience to enjoy, so don’t bury it on stage. In the musical Li’l Abner, a rousing chorus number declares the praises of “Jubilation T. Cornpone,” a legendary general...

Ben Harper and Rickie Lee Jones at Wolf Trap by Grace Kim

The night at Wolf Trap belonged to Ben Harper. Debuting his first solo performance in a career that spans two decades, fans were treated to an acoustic jam that was pure ecstasy for the ears. Ben...

There’s a New Look at Olney Theatre Center by Heather Latiri

Last night, to honor its 75th Anniversary Season, Olney Theatre Center unveiled it’s new logo and branding. The new identity and branding of the Olney Theatre Center coincides with the institution’s...

Married to the Stage: ‘My Faire Children’ by Natalie McCabe

My husband may live in an imaginary village, but we both belong to the category of ‘imaginary friends.’ Recently, I sat down to chat with a kindergartner and his almost-three-year-old sister, who...

An Appreciation of Post Dance Critic Alan M. Kriegsman by Carolyn Kelemen

Each ballet season at the Kennedy Center Opera House, dancers flock to see the company chosen for the opening program. This year, the Mariinsky (a.k.a. The Kirov) will oblige. However, the man usually...

‘Page-to-Stage’ Festival Reflections by Jennifer Perry

For the 11th year, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has opened its doors to local theatres to showcase works still in development to the general public at its ‘Page-to-Stage’...

‘Baby Bear’s Birthday’ at The Puppet Co. by Julia L. Exline

On Saturday, September 1, 2012, Baby Bear’s Birthday was presented at The Puppet Company through their highly popular program, Tiny Tots @ 10:00. Tiny Tots is specifically designed for children 0-4...

‘The Temperamentals’ at Rep Stage by David Friscic

In Rep Stage’s production of The Temperamentals the ensemble of fine actors plunge into Jon Marans’ very observant play with intensity and verve. Playing with brisk efficiency under the astute...

‘The King and I’ at Wolf Trap by Jennifer Perry

Richard Rodgers (Music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (Book and Lyrics) are a solid example of a composing team being ahead of the times. Just as in South Pacific, the dynamic duo takes on social issues in...

2012-2013 Season Preview: An Interview with Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Michael Kahn by Joel Markowitz

Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Michael Kahn schmoozed with me about the exciting 2012-2013 season at STC. Joel: You have a very exciting schedule for 2012-2013. Michael: We are...

‘Reals’ at Theater Alliance by Grace Kim

Kicking off Theatre Alliance’s 10th anniversary season is Reals, written by well-known D.C. playwright and theatre scene heavyweight Gwydion Suilebhan and directed by Shirley Serotsky, who receives...

‘Body Awareness’ at Theater J by Anne Tsang

Theater J is starting its 2012-2013 “This is Who We Are” season with the captivating, poignant, and humorous Body Awareness by Annie Baker. Body Awareness, directed by Eleanor Holdridge, is set in the...

‘La-Ti-Do’ at Black Fox Lounge by Cyle Durkee

In one word: Amazing (I wish people would just trust me on that and go see it, but I also understand that I should probably let you know why {so here goes})! Ok, this is unique. La-Ti-Do (Monday...

‘The Fresh Beat Band’ at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

The Fresh Beat Band attracted a large crowd for a Tuesday afternoon show at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center. The weather was perfect with plenty of blue sky, seasonal temperatures, and no rain. The band...

Married to the Stage: ‘Human Chess Match’ by Natalie McCabe

My husband lives in an imaginary village. A shire, to be exact. He works in another century, too, and has for the past three years. Currently, he is living in the year 1590 in the 35-acre Shire of...

Gia Mora’s ‘Sweethearts and Singletons’ at The Black Fox Lounge by Cyle Durkee

Are you a little nerdy (I certainly am)? Do you think the hottest thing about someone is their ability to discuss the almost science fiction levels of technology we are creating (shout out to the...

The Kennedy Center’s 11th Annual ‘Page-to-Stage New Play Festival’ Schedule For September 1-3, 2012

The Kennedy Center hosts its 11th annual Page-to-Stage new play festival this Saturday, September 1, 2012 to Monday, September 3, 2012, featuring more than 40 theaters from the D.C. metropolitan area,...

‘Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins’ at Arena Stage at The Mead Center for American Theater

With guns a-blazin’ you’ll know not to mess with Texas as Arena Stage presents the political powder keg Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins. Kicking off their 2012-2013 season with this...

Ed Dixon performs TONIGHT at 8 PM at Signature Theatre’s Ark

TONIGHT at 8 PM, Helen Hayes Award recipient Ed Dixon will be performing at Signature Theatre’s ARK Theatre. Accompanied by Gabe Mangiante, Ed will present a compilation of stories from his...

Tonight at 8 PM: ‘La-Ti-Do’ With Joshua Morgan and Friends at The Black Lounge

TONIGHT AUGUST 27TH AT 8 PM At The Black Fox Lounge 1723 Connecticut Avenue Northwest Washington, DC 20009 $10 cover charge at the door. Doors open at 7:50pm for an 8pm start. Come check out Joshua...

‘Straight No Chaser’ at Wolf Trap by Teal Ruland

Bond likes his a cappella shaken, not stirred, Santa likes his cold and with warm cookies, and a few presidents in South Dakota like theirs (and their faces) on the rocks. Me? None of the above. But...

Season Preview: Colonial Players’ 64th – 2012-2013 Season by Beverly van Joolen

The Colonial Players in historic downtown Annapolis is excited to announce that its 64th season highlights the fun, mystery, and magic of theatre! This year’s Play Selection Chair, Ron Giddings, notes...

‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ at Signature Theatre by Amanda Gunther

There’s trouble brewing at the chicken ranch! But Miss Mona and her girls promise that won’t ruin your good time as you come on down to Signature Theatre to see The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas....

‘Romeo and Juliet’ at National Players At Olney Theatre Center by Jessica Vaughan

The 8 actors in Romeo and Juliet by the National Players, under the direction of Jason King Jones, attack this play like it was written yesterday and no one in the world has seen it before. It is one...

‘Phantom’ at Riverside Center Dinner Theater by Julia L. Exline

Riverside Center Dinner Theater presents Phantom, with music and lyrics by Tony Award winner Maury Yeston (Nine and Titanic) and a book by Arthur Kopit. It’s based on Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel The...

Married to the Stage: ‘Say Yes to the Dress’ by Natalie McCabe

My husband moves better in high heels than I do. I came to this realization about a year before we were married, during our studies in the School of Theatre at Penn State University. My husband...

‘Unnecessary Farce’ at Prince George’s Little Theatre by Amanda Gunther

The heat is on! The fuzz is staked out on a mission to take down the mayor for 16 million dollars in embezzled funds and everything’s all set to blow like a powder keg. If only the chief of police...

Alan Jackson With Special Guest Craig Campbell at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

Alan Jackson had Wolf Trap sold out due to his 34 number one songs, a couple of GRAMMY Awards, and 17 Academy of Country Music Awards. Alan crammed 22 songs into a 100 minute set in an effort to...

‘Lysistrata’ at Greenbelt Arts Center by Amanda Gunther

The premise is simple: the women are sick of the men never being at home because they are constantly at war. The women also want a say in how the government money is run so that the men will stop...

Season Preview: Theater Alliance’s 2012-2013 Season by Lee Daugherty

Theater Alliance’s Tenth Anniversary Season is the company’s most ambitious to date. Here are the theater shows we’ve selected and why we love them: World Premiere Reals by Gwydion Suilebhan Directed...

New Column: ‘Married to the Stage’ begins on DC Theater Arts by Natalie McCabe

“Honey, I don’t think I can go to the next level. I just don’t see myself going higher here.” “It’s okay, my love. I support you.” This was a conversation I had several weeks ago with my husband of...

Young Artists of America (YAA) Announces its 2012-2013 Season

Today, Young Artists of America (YAA) announced its 2012-2013 season. After an impressive season that included sold out performances of their VILLAINS! concert, a world-class premiere of THE PHANTOM...

‘Goldfish Thinking’ at Longacre Lea by Kim Moeller

I love everything about Goldfish Thinking. It has a smart and truly funny script, one of the finest ensemble casts I have seen this year, and an impressive leading actor in Heather Haney. The...

Ranting With Cyle: ‘Come to the Cabaret’ by Cyle Durkee

Cabaret is a form of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre. It is mainly distinguished by the performance venue, a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances with the...

‘Totem’ at Cirque du Soleil at National Harbor by Amanda Gunther

The mysteries of man’s evolution set down under the bright blue and yellow big top is a stunning creation from Cirque Du Soleil rolls into Washington DC – Totem. A fascinating journey that traces the...

Nibbles and Sips Around Town: ‘The Occidental, Forever Young’ by Jordan Wright

In the shadow of the White House a special watering hole welcomes celebrities, power brokers and out-of-towners in equal measure. Occidental Grill and Seafood situated beside the Willard Hotel...

‘Sheer Madness’ at The Kennedy Center by Amanda Gunther

Sheer genius foams up as the 25th Anniversary performances of Shear Madness begin at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Heading for its 12,000th performance, the comic whodunit is...

Adventure Theatre MTC’s Ensembles: ‘Making History By Making Stars’ by Michael J. Bobbitt

Is it possible that musical theater could be the most popular extra-curricular activity for school aged kids? Is it possible that high schools musicals are earning just as much revenue as sporting...

‘Menopause The Musical’ at The Warner Theatre by Anne Tsang

Menopause The Musical (with lyrics and story by Jeanie Linders) playing at The Warner Theatre is an uproariously funny story about four woman who meet one fateful day over the lingerie sale bin at the...

2012-2013 Season Preview: Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s 15th Anniversary Season by Dan Brick

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) is proud to announce its 2012-13, 15th anniversary mainstage season. This coming season will feature classic, contemporary and original productions including a recent...

A Lovefest for a Mensch – A Celebration of the Life of Marvin Hamlisch at Temple Emanu-El by Joel Markowitz

Yesterday, Marvin Hamlisch went out in a most deserved way – with a ‘sold out’ house – as a most appreciative and heartbroken group of family, fans, including myself – and colleagues, packed the same...

‘A Maze’ at Rorschach Theatre by Amanda Gunther

There are two kinds of mazes – the one where you start on one side and work your way through to the other, and the kind where you start on the outside and work your way to the center. Rorschach...

Joe Walsh at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

Joe Walsh did not need an opening act on August 13th. The guitarist is well known for his work in the James Gang, The Eagles and his solo work. The weather was wonderful at Wolf Trap and the audience...

‘Fuddy Meers’ at The Montgomery Playhouse by Amanda Gunther

If you’re ready for some unconventional fun with a memory-loss momma, a lisping, limping man in a ski mask, and a sock puppet with a potty mouth, then The Montgomery Playhouse’s production of Fuddy...

‘Iron Cross’ at University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center by Mike Spain

Great music transcends language barriers. Saturday night I wished I understood Burmese when I went to University of Maryland to see Iron Cross. I know I would have enjoyed the show even more. Iron...

Hoop Dancer Eric Hernandez From Cirque du Soleil’s ‘TOTEM’ by Joel Markowitz

Please introduce yourself and tell me when you were first approached by Cirque du Soleil to appear in TOTEM. Cirque du Soleil was looking for a traditional hoop dancer to join the cast of TOTEM and...

‘Robin Hood: Occupy Sherwood’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) by Mike Spain

The ’99 Percenters’ of Sherwood Forest had already taken over FrederickCommunity College’s JBK Theatre well before the 7 PM World Premiere of Robin Hood: Occupy Sherwood. They carried signs and...

‘Xanadu’ at Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre by Amanda Gunther

There’s some strange magic transforming the Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre into a 1980’s roller-disco! Why it’s Xanadu! The romantic musical fantasy, inspired by the 80’s movie of the same name,...

‘Urinetown’ at The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts by Derek Mong

The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts delivers a ‘royal flush’ with its brilliant production of Urinetown directed with gusto by Delia Taylor. Urinetown has Music by Mark Hollman, Lyrics by Mark...

A Tribute to My Mentor and Our Friend Marvin Hamlisch by Joshua and Jane Coyne

Joshua Coyne’s Tribute to Marvin Marvin Hamlisch was an extremely influential figure in the world of television, movies, Broadway, and the concert hall. He is very well known for his beautiful music...