1st Stage

In the Moment: Interview with Theatrical Designer Deb Sivigny Part II

Continuing the conversation we started in Part I of this interview with costume and scenic designer Deb Sivigny, we delve a bit more into Deb’s work as a designer. Maybe even with some reveals and...

In the Moment: Logan Festival of Solo Performance at 1st Stage

Under the leadership of Alex Levy, 1st Stage aims to be a cultural hub for the Northern Virginia community and beyond. Over the past year, 1st Stage has reached outside of theatrical productions to...

In the Moment: Interview with Theatrical Designer Deb Sivigny Part I

Deb Sivigny is one busy scenic and costume designer in the DC theater community. Just recently, she developed design elements for the Rorschach Theatre production of Forgotten Kingdoms. The 1st Stage...

Review: ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ at 1st Stage

The late self-taught playwright and poet August Wilson’s ten-play Century Cycle has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, with movie star Denzel Washington committing to bringing that cycle to the...

Review: Hamburg Ballet: John Neumeier’s ‘The Little Mermaid’

In this production, John Neumeier adapts the classic 1837 tale by Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Mermaid. The production, not only explores the story of a young woman who wishes to have a human...

Review: ‘Well’ at 1st Stage

“Social ills” is a term often used to name a problem without caring about the people affected by it—as in the phrase “racism and other social ills.” It’s a way of keeping one’s distance by making the...

Interview: Michael Bloom, Director of Lisa Kron’s ‘Well’ at 1st Stage

Amy Kotkin recently had a chance to interview Michael Bloom about his upcoming production of Lisa Kron’s Well at 1st Stage. Amy: What initially attracted you to this play? Have you directed it...

In the Moment: ‘Trevor’ at 1st Stage

Under the crafty direction of Alex Levy, 1st Stage’s production of Trevor, penned by Nick Jones, had me in agreement with a recent American Theatre headline calling Jones the “Deadpan Puppet Master of...

Review: ‘Trevor’ at 1st Stage

Trevor, directed by Alex Levy and written by Nick Jones, at 1st Stage, is equal parts emotional and thought-provoking. With strong performances throughout, this subversive show is dark comedy at its...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #14: Best Design in Professional and Community Theaters in DC/VA/MD

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #14: Best Design in Professional and Community Theaters in DC/VA/MD Are: John Alexander for his lighting for Blackberry Winter at Forum Theatre. John Alexander for his...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #12: Best Direction of Plays in Professional Theater in DC/MD/VA

Here are the DCMetroTheaterArts Staff’s honorees for Best Direction of Plays in Professional Theaters in 2016. Congrats to all our honorees! THE BEST DIRECTION OF PLAYS in 2016 IN DC/MD/VA ARE: Paul...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #10: Best Direction in Musicals in Professional Theatres in DC/MD/VA

Here are the DCMetroTheaterArts Staff’s honorees for Best Direction of Musicals in Professional Theaters in 2016. Congrats to all our honorees: David James for A Christmas Carol at Toby’s The Dinner...

DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #7: Best Performances and Ensembles in Musicals in Professional Theaters in DC/MD/VA

Here is the staff of DCMetroTheaterArts’ Best of 2016 #7: Best Performances in Musicals in Professional Theaters in DC/MD/VA: Scean Aaron as Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show at Iron Crow Theatre....

Review: ‘Broadway Bound’ at 1st Stage

As self-conscious plays go, Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound is both a self-fulfilling prophesy and a cross-examination of the creative process. The play, which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and a...

Review: ‘Knuffle Bunny’ at Adventure Theatre MTC

To the delight of children and children at heart, Adventure Theatre’s 2016/17 season kicked off yesterday with Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical. Based on Mo Willem’s first Knuffle Bunny book, the...

Review: ‘Lobby Hero’ at 1st Stage

The imposing lobby of a tony Manhattan apartment building—all sleek gray marble, glass, and stainless steel—commands the spacious 1st Stage stage. Sound Designer Neil McFadden has created a...

Meet the Cast of Hard Bargain’s ‘Radio Golf’: Part 3: DeJeanette Horne

In Part 3 of interviews with the cast of Hard Bargain Players’ Radio Golf, meet DeJeanette Horne. Joel: Please tell our readers where they may have seen you appear on our local stages and the roles...

Meet the Cast of Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s ‘Spring Awakening’: Part 2: Quentin Araujo

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the cast of Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s Spring Awakening, meet Quenton Araujo. Sam: Why did you want to appear in Spring Awakening at Metropolitan Youth...

Meet the Cast of Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s ‘Spring Awakening’: Part 1: Erin Claeys

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s Spring Awakening, meet Erin Claeys. Sam: Why did you want to appear in Spring Awakening at Metropolitan Youth Theatre?...

Review: ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at Britches and Hose Theatre Company

The many works of William Shakespeare were never meant to be read sitting down in a classroom. Shakespeare would have dreaded the idea of high school students sitting in desks, silently reading Romeo...

Review: ‘Floyd Collins’ at 1st Stage

“No more plowing a hard-scrabble field, I just know it’s my lucky day!” Evan Casey’s voice rings through the 1st Stage Theater as he navigates the narrow confines of a deep underground cave. His...

Director Nick Olcott on Directing ‘Floyd Collins’ at 1st Stage

It’s one of my favorite musicals and I am thrilled that Nick Olcott is directing 1st Stage’s production of Floyd Collins, which plays through June 26th. Joel: Floyd Collins is rarely produced and is...

Meet the Cast of 1st Stage’s ‘Proof’: Part 3: Katrina Clark

In Part Three of a series of interviews with the cast of Proof at 1st Stage, meet Katrina Clark. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform before on our...

Meet the Cast of 1st Stage’s ‘Proof’: Part 2: Liz Osborn

In Part Two of a series of interviews with the cast of Proof at 1st Stage, meet Liz Osborn. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you perform before on our...

Review: ‘Proof’ at 1st Stage

At one point in David Auburn’s multiple award-winning drama Proof, which is currently being given an exceptionally gripping treatment at 1st Stage in Tysons, Hal Dobbs gushes to Catherine about her...

WAPAVA Presents Excerpts from Shakespeare Theatre Company’s 2008 Production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ on Monday, 4/4@7:30 pm at The Clarice

WAPAVA Presents: Excerpts from Shakespeare Theatre Company’s 2008 Production of Romeo & Juliet Public Viewing of Archived Production & Discussion The Washington Area Performing Arts Video Archive...

Review: ‘When the Rain Stops Falling’ at 1st Stage

This play by Andrew Bovell in this 1st Stage production burned so many astounding images onto my brain—and sent into my ears so many searing exchanges—that my head is still spinning. For instance...

In the Moment: 1st Stage Gets Bigger: A Chat With Managing Artistic Director Alex Levy

The cranes are up and building is moving afoot in the “new” Tysons in Fairfax County, Virginia. So, what will Tysons residents do for their near-by cultural arts fix and live performing arts...

Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘Holiday Memories’ Part 2: Liz Dutton

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the cast of WSC Avant Bard’s production of Holiday Memories—a stage adaptation of two classic short stories by Truman Capote, “A Christmas Memory” and “The...

‘Harvey’ at 1st Stage

1st Stage Theatre presents Harvey, Mary Chase’s 1945 Pulitzer Prize-winning comedic drama, directed by Michael Chamberlin. When a high-society family makes a desperate attempt to hide the eccentric...

1st Stage Extends ‘Now Comes the Night’ until October 18th

1st Stage Extends Now Comes the Night until October 18th “Visceral, haunting, and beautifully executed” – DC Theater Arts “Riveting…intense dialogue” – The Washington Post “Powerful ideas and...

The Women’s Voices Theater Festival: ‘Now Comes the Night’ at 1st Stage

Visceral, haunting, and beautifully executed, Now Comes the Night at 1st Stage is an excruciating and suspenseful look at lives of three journalists whose lives were ripped apart while covering the...

‘RENT’ at Metropolitan Youth Theatre

Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s production of RENT is a 100% student-run show from the director to the 17 actors who are making this flashback to the turn-of-the-century HIV/AIDS epidemic a moving...

‘American Idiot’ at Little Butterfly Theatre Company’s at 1st Stage

Green Day’s American Idiot is getting staged by a group of teens and twenty-somethings in a warehouse near Tysons and it is hot, hot, hot! Go for the punk rock, stay for the vocal harmonies, savor the...

Meet the Cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s ‘RENT’: Part 5: Danny Waldman

In Part 5 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s RENT, meet Danny Waldman. Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you before on local...

Meet the Cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s ‘RENT’: Part 4: Cara Bachman

In Part 4 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s RENT, meet Cara Bachman. Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you before on local...

Meet the Cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s ‘RENT’: Part 3: Ben Cherington

In Part 3 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s Rent, meet Ben Cherington. Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you before on local...

Meet the Cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s ‘RENT’: Part 2: Jordan Sledd

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s Rent, meet Jordan Sledd. Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you before on local...

Meet the Cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre’s ‘RENT’: Part 1: Marcia Cunning

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Metropolitan Youth Theatre‘s RENT, meet Marcia Cunning. Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you before on local...

In The Moment: 2015 Capital Fringe Preview #4: ‘Our Lady of the Clouds’ by David Siegel

Be transported to the far-away of the mind. What better place to explore provocative magical realism as a performing art than at this year’s Fringe Festival. Letting one’s mind drift into a world...

‘The Good Counselor’ at 1st Stage

“You will never know the truth of my life,” says Rita Heffernon (Deidra LaWan Starnes) to her son, Vincent (Manu Kumasi), in a moment of heart-wrenching honesty. “Children never know.” The Good...

McLean Theatre Company Performs ‘Big Fish’ at International Thespian Festival, as the Show Garners 21 Cappies Nominations with Encore Shows June 13 and 14th at McLean HS and June 20th at GMU by Brent Stone

The McLean High School Theatre Company (MTC) was invited by the International Thespian Association to perform the musical Big Fish at the International Thespian Festival, Lincoln, Nebraska on June 25,...

Free Play Reading Today at 2 PM of LOVE GODFREY/LOVE GEORGE, by John Stoltenberg at the MLK Library in DC

LOVE GODFREY/LOVE GEORGE, by John Stoltenberg has a FREE staged reading TODAY, Sunday, May 3, 2015, at 2:00 pm at the MLK Library John: Readers of DCMetroTheaterArts know you as a writer about...

John Stoltenberg Interviews John Stoltenberg About His Play ‘Love Godfrey / Love George’ That Has a Free Reading on May 3rd @ 2 PM

A play by contributing writer John Stoltenberg will have a staged reading Sunday, May 3, 2015, at 2:00 pm at the MLK Library. John sat down with himself to pick his brain about it. John: Readers of...

In the Moment: An Interview with 1st Stage’s ‘Old Wicked Songs’ Musical Director Walter “Bobby” McCoy and Artistic/Managing Director Alex Levy

1st Stage’s production of Old Wicked Songs by Jon Marans has opened to high praise from reviewers and audiences alike. After seeing the show I wanted to learn more about something very specific; the...

‘Old Wicked Songs’ at 1st Stage

Occasionally, a show blows me away and I want to grab the arm of people walking by on the street and steer them to the production. “Come. Join in experiencing this beautiful piece of art.” This is the...

Meet the Cast of ‘Flyin’ West’ at Bowie Community Theatre: Part 7: Lolita Marie

In Part 7 of a series of interviews with the cast and director of Flyin’ West at Bowie Community Theatre, meet Lolita Marie. Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen you...

‘Big Fish’ at McLean High School’s Theatre Company

Attention all Broadway producers of a musical that shuttered much too quickly on Broadway: bring that show to the ‘Show Doctors’ at McLean High School’s Theatre Company and let Surgeon/Director Amy...

‘Doubt’ at 1st Stage

No doubt you’ll recall Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Viola Davis, and Amy Adams in the Hollywood 2008 adaptation of John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt, a Parable — simply titled Doubt and directed...

Review Just Posted. McLean Theatre Company Presents the Musical ‘Big Fish’ on February 16, 19-22nd by Brent Stone

Update: Here is Joel Markowitz’s review of Big Fish. ______ The McLean High School Theatre Company (MTC) premieres the musical Big Fish to the Metro DC area this February. Led by Artistic Director,...