2012

Stage Dad: ‘Talking to Other Parents’: Part Three: ‘Parents Give Their Best Advice’ by Glenn Cook

Over the past two columns, I have written about what other parents have to say about raising a child in show business. We’ve looked at challenges they face and what they wished they had known. In this...

‘The Wizard of Oz’ at KAT 2nd Stage by Mike Spain

This past Saturday afternoon’s performance of KAT 2nd Stage’s production of The Wizard of Oz at The Arts Barn in Gaithersburg was sold out. It was a family production and the Arts Barn was a welcoming...

‘Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo’ at Round House Theatre by David Friscic

There are no easy answers in Rajiv Joseph’s terrific play Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, but there is a hell of a lot of interesting questions to ponder. Now being given a superlative mounting at...

‘The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity’ by Amanda Gunther

A culturally explosive knockout is in the ring as Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company launches its 33rd seasion: My Root, My Revolution with the Pulitzer Prize Finalist play The Elaborate Entrance of Chad...

A Chat With Sutton Foster on Her George Mason University Concert on September 29th by Joel Markowitz

Di

Stepping In For An Insane Dentist & 7 Others: An Interview With Matthew Schleigh by Joel Markowitz

It’s not easy replacing a local theatre icon, having to play 8 kooky characters and trying not to become lunch for a man-eating plant puppet, but Matthew Schleigh successfully did them all it and the...

‘Funny Money’ at The Little Theatre of Alexandria by Julia L. Exline

The Little Theatre of Alexandria presents Funny Money, a British farce by Ray Cooney about an ordinary man who finds himself in an extraordinary situation. Shawn G. Byers directs this comedic...

‘Schoolhouse Rock Live!’ at Riverside Center Dinner Theater by Julia L. Exline

Riverside Center Dinner Theater presents School House Rock Live! at their Children’s “Lunch ‘n Show” Musical Theater. With a book by Scott Ferguson, Kyle Hall, and George Keating and music/lyrics by...

‘Taking Steps’ at Constellation Theatre Company by Amanda Gunther

There is nothing quite like the hilarious high brow humor of British wit. Combine that with an element of sharp, poignant physical comedy and you have Taking Steps the opening production of...

‘The 39 Steps’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) by Amanda Gunther

150 zany characters, four actors, 1 stage. It could be none other than the two-time Tony Award-winning production Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps! And it’s sneaking its way onto the Maryland Ensemble...

‘Hamlet’ at Folger Theatre by Natalie McCabe

At the start of Shakespeare’s Globe’s production of Hamlet, the entire cast gathers onstage, with the lights up, playing instruments and singing a variation of “Little Beggar Man.” Later, in Act IV of...

‘Boom’ by Artists’ Initiative at Olney Theatre Center by Andrew L. Baughman

What if the future survival of all humanity hinged upon a single Craigslist casual encounters ad? That is the premise of Peter Sinn Nachtrieb’s Boom, currently being presented by Artists’ Initiative...

Today from 5-8 PM: Taking Flight Theatre Company Holds Auditions for ‘Equus’

Today from 5-8 PM. Taking Flight Theatre Company holds auditions for its next production: Equus by Peter Shaffer. The production will be directed by Haley Murphy. Auditionees should come prepared with...

‘Paul Taylor Dance Company’ at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center by Tiffany Draut

If tonight’s performance by the Paul Taylor Dance Company is anything to go on, this year’s season at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland College Park is going to be...

Nibble and Sips Around Town – September: ‘Destination McLean, Virginia’ by Jordan Wright

With umpteen restaurants opening in the DC Metro area of late one might be reluctant to venture to the outlying burbs. But I assure you this 25-minute hop from the center of town to this destination...

‘The American Maid’ at Victorian Lyric Opera Company by Francine Schwartz

On Friday night, I had fun at the Victorian Lyric Opera Company, where I have previously enjoyed several Gilbert and Sullivan performances. VLOC is a ambitious repetoire company specializing in...

‘Golda’s Balcony’ at The Vagabond Players by Amanda Gunther

What happens when idealism becomes power? It kills. And to save your world how many other worlds are you entitled to destroy? The shocking tension filled story of William Gibson’s Golda’s Balcony...

‘Electra’ at Mobtown Players by John Harding

After 14 seasons of new and often experimental theater, Baltimore’s Mobtown Players is busy re-inventing itself this fall with a slate of classics. If the opening night of Euripides’ Electra on...

Stage Dad: ‘Talking to Other Parents’: Part Two: ‘What Other Parents Wish They Had Known’ by Glenn Cook

What Other Parents Wish They Had Known… One of my favorite television shows is Friday Night Lights, a beautifully written, small-scale drama that focuses on a small Texas town and its obsession with...

Stage Dad: ‘Talking to Other Parents’: Part One by Glenn Cook

Balance is something every parent wants. Vertigo is what we can get, if we allow it to happen. That’s true for all parents, but the juggling act that parents of child performers face is a constant...

‘Campaign Caper’ comes to Way Off Broadway by Justin M. Kiska

In addition to Way Off Broadway’s regularly scheduled Mainstage and Children’s Theatre seasons, the theatre also hosts a number of special events each year. Some of the most popular events at the...

‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’ at MetroStage by Julia L. Exline

MetroStage presents Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, a musical revue of the songs of Jacques Brel, an esteemed Belgian singer-songwriter whose music has been re-imagined through...

‘Music In The Movies II’ at Signature Theatre

Signature Theatre’s Cabaret series continues with the spectacular Music In The Movies II. There’s only a few days left to enjoy a really, really, good evening listening to your favorite movie songs....

‘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...

Interview with ‘TRIPTYCH’ Composer Robert Sirota and Collaborating Artist Deborah Patterson by Jane Coyne

Composer Robert Sirota will be in Baltimore next Sunday, September 9, 2012, to attend a concert featuring a performance of his work, TRIPTYCH, a hauntingly beautiful piece commemorating the victims of...

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’...

Special 50% TONIGHT AT 7:30 PM For Everyman Theatre’s ‘Time Stands Still’

Everyman Theatre is opening its 2012/13 season with the acclaimed Broadway hit, TIME STANDS STILL by Donald Margulies. Read DCMTA’s Amanda Gunther’s *****rave review! We are offering a special offer...

2012-2013 Season Preview of Encore Stage & Studio by Aileen Pangan

Encore 2012-2013 Season Showcases Adventure and Search for Justice Our heroes and heroines are ready to travel, spread their wings and make a difference. They won’t let evil, bullies or low...

‘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...

‘Stones in The Secret Garden’ by Brent Stone

Whenever I see a Stone perform on the stage I always see a performer who gives 200% and whose joy of performing glows on his face. The Secret Garden has a lot of meaning for Brent Stone and his sons...

‘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...

‘Time Stands Still’ at Everyman Theatre by Amanda Gunther

The most culturally relevant modern dramatic play takes to the stage at Everyman Theatre as they launch their 2012-2013 season with Time Stands Still. Written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright...

‘The Producers’ at Zemfira Stage by Kim Moeller

“It was crass and crude and I enjoyed every minute of it!” That’s a line from the Mel Brooks musical comedy, The Producers. It’s also my summary of Zemfira Stage’s production now playing in Falls...

‘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...

Part Four: Letters from the Living Dead: ‘Meet Our Cast’ by Stephen Gregory Smith

It was only a drive… Welcome back to the Farmhouse. Night has arrived at long last. Tom, Judy, Helen, Harry, Barbra, and Ben have finally arrived. The house is boarded up tight and safe from the...

‘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...

Judyisms: ‘When You Do Such a Good Job People Confuse You With the Character!’ by Judy Stadt

About 20 years ago I had the pleasure of playing the role of Madge Kendall in The Elephant Man. It was an amazing production at The Penguin Repertory Theatre, in Stony Point NY and I loved every...

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...