2012

‘The Music Man’ at Way Off Broadway by Amanda Gunther

To serve up a heaping dish of musical theatre comfort food you’ve got to know the territory! And egads do they up at the Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre as the 76 trombones march Meredith Wilson’s The...

Bayla Whitten on ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’ by Joel Markowitz

In Part Three of interviews with the cast of MetroStage’s Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, Bayla Whitten talks about performing in MetroStage’s production. Joel: Why did you want to...

Free Concert TONIGHT at 6 PM at Lincoln Center To Honor Composer Paul Scott Goodman

If you are in NYC, TONIGHT at 6 PM you are invited to attend a FREE concert honoring the work of Paul Scott Goodman (ROOMS: A Rock Romance; Bright Lights, Big City; Metropolitan Music; and Him & Her)...

Sam Ludwig on ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’ at MetroStage by Joel Markowitz

Here is an interview with Sam Ludwig in Part Two of interviews with the cast of MetroStage’s Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. Joel: Why did you want to be part of the MetroStage...

‘Carnival of the Animals’ at The Puppet Co. by Julia L. Exline

The Puppet Co. presents Carnival of the Animals, a bilingual narrative (English and Spanish) of a piece of music composed by the great Camille Saint-Saens in 1886. Beautiful music is paired with...

‘Mother May I’ at Strand Theater Company by Amanda Gunther

You’ll find the ‘fun’ in dysfunctional at Strand Theater Company as they kick off their fifth season with the world premier of Dylan Brody’s Mother, May I. A slice of life style dramadey that takes...

Nibbles and Sips Around Town: ‘Graffiti Goes Glam’ by Jordan Wright

What is so extraordinary about legendary graffiti artist Futura, neé Leonard McGurr, is that at a mere 57 years-old he has outlived so many others of his genre and generation and continued to triumph...

Natascia Diaz on ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’ at MetroStage by Joel Markowitz

Here is Part One of interviews with the cast of MetroStage’s Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. To begin our series, here is the chanteuse magnifique – Natascia Diaz! Joel: Why did...

‘Jekyll and Hyde’ at Synetic Theater by Doug Poms

Synetic Theater has started its new season with another spectacular show. This time the talented company takes on the classic tale of good and evil, Jekyll and Hyde, based on the novel by Robert Louis...

The National Theatre of Scotland’s ‘Black Watch’ at Shakespeare Theatre Company by Jennifer Perry

Last October, I had the great privilege of visiting Scotland on work travel. On a day off, I climbed up the very long set of stairs and visited the Edinburgh Castle and the National War Museum...

Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Company at George Washington University by Rick Westerkamp

Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Company’s 20th Anniversary performance at The Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre is a wonderful celebration of Burgess’ career thus far, and a gentle reminder that he is not done...

‘Don Giovanni’ at Washington National Opera by Amanda Gunther

Considered to be one of the greatest operas ever composed, Don Giovanni makes its revival appearance as the second offering of The Washington National Opera’s 2012/2013 season. Housed at The John F....

‘SHAPE’ at force/collison by Joel Markowitz

In its World Premiere, Erik Ehn’s SHAPE is given a powerful, heartbreaking, funny, moving, invigorating, emotional, and visually gorgeous production by force/collison. With a powerhouse of a cast –...

‘Doing the Time Warp’- Part One: Director Jay Brock on His Vision for The Washington Savoyards’ ‘The Rocky Horror Show’

Rocky Horror initial problem: How do you put up this show? It is the question for a The Rocky Horror Show creative team. How do we effectively strike a balance between what is ingrained in Rocky...

Part One: ‘The Merman’s Apprentice Log’ by Stephen Cole

Here we are, casting our first public New York City reading of a new musical fable, Merman’s Apprentice, a new musical fable…Book and Lyrics by Stephen Cole, Music by David Evans. For the umpteenth...

The National Theatre Has New Management by Joel Markowitz

It’s my favorite place to see a musical. And my favorite seat is in the middle of the first row of the Mezzanine. There’s so much history flashing by me every time I sit in The National Theatre. I see...

Nibbles And Sips Around Town: ‘Kraut Rocks Competition and Brings Cool Cabbage Vibe To DC’ by Jordan Wright

Kraut Rocks is the hipster appellation promoters have conferred upon a sauerkraut competition involving five of DC area leading chefs. Steered by Bravo’s Top Chef alumni Spike Mendelsohn, the contest...

Discount for ‘Buddha: Triumph & Tragedy In The Life of the Great Sage’ on 9/22 @7 PM

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2012 AT 7:00 PM AT THE UNDERCROFT THEATRE AT MOUNT VERNON PLACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 900 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, NW, IN WASHINGTON, DC. HOW TO GET TICKETS Click Here...

‘Rikki Tikki Tavi’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre by Mike Spain

Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s Fun Company once again produces a fun, entertaining show suitable for all ages with their production of Rikki Tikki Tavi. Sarah Shulman adapts Rudyard Kipling’s classic...

$15 Tickets for ‘SHAPE’ at force/collision for 9/20-22 Performances at Atlas

force/collision is offering DC Metro Theatre Arts readers $10 off regular priced tickets ($25) for performances 9/20-9/22 at 8:00pm and 9/23 at 3:00pm for the world premiere of SHAPE by Erik Ehn...

A Special Discount For Friday, October 19th 8 PM Performance of ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ at Washington Savoyards

Check out Washington Savoyards’ IndieGogo campaign for The Rocky Horror Show.

‘Bell, Book, and Candle’ at Colonial Players by Amanda Gunther

Double double toil and trouble! There’s magic in the air with all this hocus pocus brewing over at Colonial Players as they present John Van Druten’s Bell, Book and Candle. Directed by Debbie...

Joe Jackson at The Music Center at Strathmore by Mike Spain

Joe Jackson performed a seamless mix of Duke Ellington classics and Jackson’s own songs at Strathmore on Sunday night. He began his set solo walking out to his electric piano and playing a Duke...

Sinbad, Israel Houghton, & New Breed at The Patriot Center by Mike Spain

Grace Covenant Church showed Fairfax they know how to throw a celebration: have the Pastor emcee, invite the congregation, and open the doors to the public. Start the night off with a set of music...

‘In Spite of Love’ at Gala Hispanic Theatre by Veronique MacCrae

There are many universal truths and ideas that connect persons of all backgrounds together. For instance, the language of music transcends the cultural barriers and obstacles that are encountered...

‘Suite Surrender’ at 1st Stage by Amanda Gunther

What happens when two of Hollywood’s biggest Divas end up at the same hotel for the same USO tour and they hate each other? They get booked into the same suite and chaos ensues, naturally. At least...

‘Taking SHAPE’ Part 2: Frank Britton and Dane Figueroa Edidi on Billy and Cordelia McClain by Dane Edidi

In Part Two of Taking SHAPE actors Frank Britton and Dane Figueroa Edidi introduce us to their characters Billy and Cordelia McClain. From Frank Britton (Billy McClain): When my journey with SHAPE...

Special Discount for Cirque du Soleil’s ‘TOTEM’ at National Harbor

Cirque du Soleil has returned to Washington with TOTEM and is playing now through October 7, 2012 under the blue and yellow Big Top at the Plateau at National Harbor. Cirque du Soleil is offering...

‘J.B.’ at The American Century Theater by Francine Schwartz

The American Century Theater’s (TACT) entertaining and colorful production of the 1958 Pulitzer Prize-winning and 1959 Tony Award-winning Best Play J.B. by Archibald MacLeish is ‘way over the Big...

Part Five: Letters from the Living Dead: ‘My Sweet Baby’ by Stephen Gregory Smith

Welcome back to the Farmhouse. If you listen close, you will hear the pitter patter of little feet running and skipping around. All at once you see her…a small child with no malice in her heart. She...

An Interview With Choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess by Rick Westerkamp

In preparation for his show on September 21st, 22 and 23 at 8 PM at The Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, I interviewed Dana Tai Soon Burgess, the director of DC modern dance company Dana Tai Soon Burgess...

‘Anna Bolena’ at Washington National Opera by Simon Chin

The Washington National Opera’s season opened Saturday with a highly anticipated role debut. Celebrated Verdi specialist Sondra Radvanovsky, in a departure from her usual spinto repertory, took on the...

‘Farragut North’ at Silver Spring Stage by Amanda Gunther

Vote Morris! Vote Pullman! Vote corruption! However, if you intend to vote – Silver Spring Stage is your polling place with their production of Beau Willimon’s Farragut North. A neck-and-neck race to...

A Happy and Joyous New Year to our Jewish Readers, Colleagues, and Friends!

DC Theater Arts wishes our Jewish friends, colleagues, readers, and members of the theatre community a Happy Jewish New Year! May this year bring all of you great joy, wonderful health, much success,...

‘Taking Shape’ Part 1: John Moletress Introduces Us to force/collision’s ‘SHAPE’

It was in January of this year when I was directing Craig Wright’s Mistakes Were Made in Houston that Erik Ehn contacted me through email and asked me to read his play SHAPE. I was looped in as an...

‘Medea’ at Port City Playhouse by Jessica Vaughan

Port City Playhouse steps up with their version of Medea. The Greek tragedy by Euripides starts off their 35th Season with a hit. Port City Playhouse is a community theater based at the Lab at...

‘DC Shorts Film Festival Reviews’ by Erica Laxson

Showcase Title Stars Showcase 1 1 Why Do We Put Up With Them 4 Stars Why Do We Put Up With Them‘is a cute, animated poem that tugs all the right notes […]

‘The Bad Boys of Dance’ at Montgomery College by Carolyn Kelemen

Bad Boys get folks begging for more The Bad Boys of Dance, with guest artist Adrienne Canterna of Pretty Girls of Dance, attracts an audience looking for a fun night on the town. These fans – who were...

‘The Color Purple’ at Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia by Amanda Gunther

A joyful noise is ringing loud and clear from the rafters of Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia as the 11-time Tony Award nominated production of The Color Purple, ‘The Musical About Love’ makes its...

‘The Tempest’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse by Amanda Gunther

A storm has washed ashore one of Shakespeare’s fine comedies as Laurel Mill Playhouse presents The Tempest as the first show of their 2012/2013 season. With a powerful sorcerer, an air spirit, an...

‘DC Shorts Festival Reviews’ by Kim Moeller

Kim Moeller reviews 4 showcases of shorts: Showcase 3 A Short Film About Ice Fishing One Star This film about the supposedly routine ice fishing outing of two friends has no story except as a setup...

‘Stop Kiss’ at Fells Point Corner Theatre by Amanda Gunther

The fast-paced heart-wrenching drama of Diana Son’s Stop Kiss comes to the stage at Fells Point Corner Theatre to kick off their 2012/2013 season. Directed by Jay Gilman, the story revolves around the...

A Tribute to Theatre Benefactor and Supporter Dr. Jaylee Mead

It’s a sad day for DC area theatre with the tragic news that Dr. Jaylee Mead died today of heart failure. Known for her big heart and love for the arts – Jaylee was everywhere. At most shows I...

‘Married to the Stage Can Be Stressful’ by Natalie McCabe

“Married to the Stage” can be stressful. Contrary to popular opinion, when both partners try to weave their careers around the trials and travesties that occur onstage, having a successful...

A Preview of Dance in DC and Baltimore by Carolyn Kelemen

Take a bite out of dance Call it intuition, cultural channeling or just a hunch, but the feeling here is that this is going to be a lively and wide-ranging dance season. It’s also going to be quite...

Karma Camp on ‘The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas’ and Her Friend Marvin Hamlisch by Joel Markowitz

Karma Camp has choreographed so many shows at Signature Theatre that I have lost count. Each show she has worked on is filled with high-energy, elegance, and fun choreography. And in The Best Little...

‘Rock of Ages’ at Wolf Trap by Julia L. Exline

On Sunday, September 9, 2012, Wolf Trap presented Rock of Ages, a hilariously entertaining rock musical containing twenty-eight of the 80’s greatest glam metal hits, from artists like Rock of Ages,,...

HCC’s Arts Collective Announces Improv Group “What Improv Group?!?!” 2012-2013 Season by Sue Kramer

HCC’s only improv troupe returns for a 6-show season – with Special Guests Howard Community College’s Arts Collective (AC) kicks off its 18th Season with performances by “What Improv Group?!?!”...

‘Invisible Man’ at The Studio Theatre by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

‘I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.’ – Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man Everyone at some time has walked into a room and felt invisible. Who hasn’t had a moment of...

35th Annual Kennedy Center Honorees Announced Today by Joel Markowitz

Buddy Guy, Dustin Hoffman, David Letterman, Ntalia Makarova, and Led Zeppelin to receive the 35th annual Kennedy Center Honors. What a wonderful group they selected this year! The John F. Kennedy...