Kennedy Center

‘Orphie and the Book of Heroes’ at The Kennedy Center by Joel Markowitz

It’s so rare when I leave a show and just can’t stop smiling, and that happened after I attended the ‘new’ commissioned musical called Orphie and the Book of Heroes at The Kennedy Center’s Family...

Interview with H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program’s Bill Podolski on ‘Les Miserables’ by Eric Denver

I was so impressed by the quality of H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program‘s production of Les Misérables School Edition that I asked Director/Producer/Musical Director Bill Podolski to take us...

Oscar Peñas at The Kennedy Center by Teal Ruland

Spanish jazz guitarist and composer Oscar Peñas made his Kennedy Center KC Jazz Club debut last evening, exhibiting his awesome fusion of classical guitar laced with smooth, jazzy, Spanish, and South...

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater ‘Program A’ at The Kennedy Center by Carolyn Kelemen

Alvin Ailey American Dance Celebrates Rich Heritage at the Kennedy Center Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater “came home” to the Kennedy Center last night, dancing a program of familiar works, a true...

Time for Three at the Kennedy Center by Emily Cao

Time for Three took to the Terrace Theater stage at The Kennedy Center on Monday night as part of the Fortas Chamber Music Concerts series. The internationally acclaimed, self-dubbed...

‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ at The Kennedy Center by John Stoltenberg

If you’re willing to let your inner child stay up after bedtime and go out and play at The Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater instead, you’re in for an evening of theatrical wonderment and...

‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ at The Kennedy Center by Tiffany Draut

Rick Elise’s Peter and the Starcatcher, based on the book by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, played to a most appreciative crowd last night at The Kennedy Center. The play tells the story of how Peter...

Mariinsky Ballet’s ‘Swan Lake’ at The Kennedy Center by Carolyn Kelemen

Swooning over the first “Swan” Like those fabled swallows renowned for returning to Capistrano each spring, swans settle regularly in our area this time of year. Back in the heyday of classical ballet...

An Interview with Director Sherrionne Brown on Directing ‘Harvey’ at Vagabond Players by Amanda Gunther

A Pooka is coming! And a Pooka is here! The Vagabond Players production of Harvey is going strong; an incredibly fascinating look at the people in our lives and how we respond to them, whether they’re...

‘GOLD’ by Cas Public of Canada at The Kennedy Center Family Theater by Yvonne French

I knew this was going to be a good performance when I saw the on the Web that it was choreographed by Hélène Blackburn and Pierre Lecours, “with the invaluable collaboration of dancers.” Blackburn and...

‘Wedding of Ordos’ at The Kennedy Center by Jessica Vaughan

Visit outer Mongolia at The Kennedy Center just in time for the Chinese New Year next Friday for the Wedding of Ordos, which is billed as a dance spectacle by the Ordos Song and Dance Theater, based...

Baltimore Symphony at Strathmore: Marvin Hamlisch: One Singular Sensation by Jane Coyne

It was an honor and privilege to be at the Music Center at Strathmore on Thursday evening as Jack Everly led the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in a loving and moving tribute to the one, singular and...

Meet the Children in Reston Players’ Upcoming ‘Les Misérables’ by Diane Schnoor

This fall, many talented children from the Washington, D.C. area auditioned for the three children’s roles in Les Miserables. Meet Ella Schnoor, Ethan Van Slyke, and Maggie Slivka, who play Little...

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC presents ‘Passion’ on Sat 2/15@3 & 8 PM by Craig Cipollini

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW) continues its 33rd season with a special concert entitled Passion to be presented on February 15, 2014 at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm at Church of the Epiphany...

Bettye LaVette in Concert at The Howard Theatre by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

If nothing else, Bettye LaVette is a survivor. She is a survivor, and a living testament of what God-given talent, determination, and a strong will of staying true to oneself can be in the harsh,...

An Interview with Singer/Songwriter Margot MacDonald by Marlene Hall

Margot MacDonald is an acclaimed loop pedal vocalist and songwriter based in DC who recently celebrated the release of her fourth album, Canvas. She is in excellent company with loop pedal vocalists...

‘Flashdance-The Musical’ at The Kennedy Center by John Harding

In the Flashdance smackdown between fresh new show tunes and nostalgia-laden 1980s soundtrack hits, the title decision at The Kennedy Center isn’t even close. Showtunes lose the match, although the...

PBS Airs “Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love” Tomorrow – Friday, December 27th at 9 PM

Tomorrow – Friday night at 9 PM – PBS’ (Locally WETA) airs Dori Berinstein’s 90-minute documentary Marvin Hamlisch: What I He Did for Love, a loving tribute to to Composer Marvin Hamlisch, who died in...

‘Elf the Musical’ at The Kennedy Center by Douglas Lloyd

Elf the Musical: Go Hear its Christmas Songs Washington DC must have been on Santa’s “nice” list this year as we have been treated to a holiday run of the delightfully sweet Elf the Musical now in...

‘Handel’s Messiah’ With the National Symphony Orchestra by Jessica Vaughan

Hallelujah’s rings through The Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall for the National Symphony Orchestra’s annual Messiah, written by George Frideric Handel in 1742. The orchestra is accompanied by four...

GMCW presents “Sparkle, Jingle, Joy” Tonight and Tomorrow at Lisner by Craig Cipollini

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW) will kick off its 33rd season with a holiday concert entitled Sparkle, Jingle, Joy with special guest star Matt Alber to be presented TONIGHT- December...

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC presents “Sparkle, Jingle, Joy” This Friday and Saturday 12/20 & 21 at Lisner by Craig Cipollini

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW) will kick off its 33rd season with a holiday concert entitled Sparkle, Jingle, Joy with special guest star Matt Alber to be presented This Friday –...

‘The Washington Chorus: A Candlelight Christmas’ at The Kennedy Center by Jane Coyne

The Washington Chorus, under the baton of Guest Conductor Andrew Clark, delighted a packed house at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday evening as it presented A Candlelight...

‘The Lion, The Unicorn, and Me’ at Washington National Opera by Jessica Vaughan

Washington National Opera has made a small piece of history with the world premier of The Lion, The Unicorn, and Me, a work commissioned by WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello, who also directs....

NSO Pops: ‘Happy Holidays! with Brian Stokes Mitchell’ by Marlene Hall

Tony Award winner and Baritone Brian Stokes Mitchell and the NSO Pops got the crowd into the holiday spirit with his show Happy Holidays! With Brian Stokes Mitchell, conducted with gusto by Steven...

Deborah F. Rutter Named Next Kennedy Center President by John R. Dow

Yesterday, David M. Rubenstein, Chairman of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, today announced the selection of Deborah F. Rutter as the next Kennedy Center president. Ms. Rutter...

‘Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Patina Miller’ at The Kennedy Center by Douglas Lloyd

A Sister Act That is Hard to Top Washington, DC was honored to have Patina Miller, this year’s Tony Award-winning Best Lead Actress in a Musical (for her role as the Leading Player in Pippin),...

The Joffrey Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ at The Kennedy Center by Ramona Harper

Who said it’s too early to start putting up Christmas decorations? After seeing The Joffrey Ballet’s enchanting Kennedy Center Friday night performance of The Nutcracker, I’m headed straight for the...

‘NSO Pops: An Evening with Matthew Morrison’ by Jessica Vaughan

Matthew Morrison, the TV and theater star with the golden pipes makes his solo debut at the Kennedy Center with his unique take and touching renditions of Broadway standards from My Fair Lady to West...

The American Voices Festival: ‘Musical Theater Master Session with Sutton Foster’ by Nicole Cusick

This weekend Opera Singer Renee Fleming hosted a series of master classes followed by expert panels at The Kennedy Center to connect students with successful professionals who could offer exceptional...

American Voices Festival’s “Pop/Rock Master Session” with Renée Fleming, Ben Folds, and Sara Bareilles by Marlene Hall

For the first time ever, The Kennedy Center along with world renowned soprano singer Renée Fleming with partial sponsorship by Ann and Tom Friedman put together the American Voices Festival. American...

American Voices Concert with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Pops Conducted by Steven Reineke at The Kennedy Center by Derek Mong

The only explanation for the magnificence that graced The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Concert Hall on Saturday evening is that National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Pops conductor...

Russian Chamber Art Society Ensemble: Russian Bel Canto at the Embassy of Austria by Jane Coyne

On Friday evening, the Russian Chamber Art Society, led by Artistic Director Vera Danchenko-Stern, presented Russian Bel Canto, a lovely concert of Russian vocal masterpieces composed by Glinka,...

Matthew Bourne’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’ at The Kennedy Center by Carolyn Kelemen

Bourne takes a big bite out of ballet tradition in his Gothic Fairy Tale ‘Sleeping Beauty.’ There are many descriptive words to describe Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty at The Kennedy Center through...

‘Legacy and Life: A Musical and Visual Reflection’ at The Choral Arts Society of Washington at The Kennedy Center by Leslie Weisman

A sizable crowd at Legacy and Life: A Musical and Visual Reflection greeted the Choral Arts Society of Washington’s performance of the Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi and Take Him, Earth by composer Steven...

Washington Performing Arts Society Presents: ‘The Sphinx Virtuosi’ at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by Jane Coyne

Washington Performing Arts Society kicked off their Virtuoso Series on Thursday evening with a delightful performance by the Sphinx Virtuosi, whose eighteen highly polished string musicians simply...

Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Lucie Arnaz at The Kennedy Center by David Friscic

I came away from Lucie Arnaz‘s concert at The Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theatre with a blissed-out feeling of elation. An invigorating combination of sheer professionalism and pure show-biz panache...

Suzanne Farrell Ballet at The Kennedy Center by Carolyn Kelemen

Farrell gets good times rolling at The Kennedy Center Hold onto your hat and step lively. The ballet season at The Kennedy Center finally gets into the gusty days of fall with a whirlwind of activity....

The Washington Chorus presents Benjamin Britten’s ‘War Requiem’ by Emily Cao

The Washington Chorus opened its 53rd season with heavy fare in Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, celebrating the British composer’s 100th Anniversary and showcasing the talents of the chorus and its...

‘Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Tommy Tune’ at The Kennedy Center by David Friscic

Tommy Tune’s tall, lanky frame and loquacious manner is a veritable show unto itself. As the iconic Broadway Theatrical legend proved at The Kennedy Center’s Barbara Cook’s Spotlight Series concert...

National Symphony Orchestra: Kristjan Järvi, Conductor and Jennifer Koh, Violin, Plays Barber by Emily Cao

The National Symphony Orchestra continues it’s eighty-third season at The Kennedy Center with a splendid evening of twentieth-century compositions as talented guest conductor Kristjan Järvi leads the...

‘Giselle’ at The Washington Ballet by Carolyn Kelemen

The Washington Ballet gave us the willies in a haunting production of Giselle on All Hallow’s Eve. Dressed in midnight black, artistic director Septime Webre bounded onto The Kennedy Center stage just...

‘Sister Act’ at The Kennedy Center by Derek Mong

Hallelujah! Sister Act is here for a short time only at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Opera House, and you certainly won’t want to miss out on this festive, religious experience...

‘Susan Marshall & Company’s Play/Pause’ at The Kennedy Center by Rick Westerkamp

Are you familiar with the sentiment, “Dance like nobody’s watching?” The idea in this phrase is beautiful, but sounds hard to produce, right? Now pair these beautifully intimate moments with moments...

‘Michael Cavanaugh: The Songs of Elton John’ With NSO Pops Conducted by Steven Reineke at The Kennedy Center by Derek Mong

Billboard calls him “the new voice of the American rock and roll songbook,” and they couldn’t have gotten it more right. Michael Cavanaugh brought a refreshing, vibrant take on some of most classic...

‘Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’ at The Kennedy Center by Derek Mong

You’ve never seen dance quite like this. The company of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago blew audiences away at opening night of their 3-day run at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’...

‘Washington Performing Arts Society: The Mariinsky Orchestra’ by Jane Coyne

Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS), honored this summer by President Obama with the National Medal of Arts for “bringing world-class performances to our nation’s capital,” did just that on...

Washington National Opera’s ‘The Force of Destiny’ (‘La Forza Del Destino’) by Jessica Vaughan

Washington National Opera has mounted a provocative new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s The Force of Destiny (La Forza Del Destino) directed by WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello for Verdi’s...

Broadway Veteran Sutton Foster Helps Educate Aspiring Young Artists by Lauren Selman

Students of the Act Two @ Levine Pre-Professional Program gathered for a master class with two time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster. Ms. Foster’s class was presented by Strathmore in conjunction with...

Washington Performing Arts Society: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis: Abyssinian: A Gospel Celebration by Veronique MacRae

When art is transformative to the spirit and universal in its ability to touch the souls of many, it has achieved a purpose greater than itself. This is the sentiment associated with Wynton Marsalis’...