2012

Ranting With Cyle: ‘On the Fringe After the Fringe’ by Cyle Durkee

Well, that was quite a Fringe! The revelry (drunkeness), the pageantry (drunkeness), and the ecstasy (there were several moments where I could have used some)!! I can’t wait for next year! I was truly...

‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’ at Elden Street Players by Julia L. Exline

Elden Street Players presents Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, a decadent and hilarious musical with a bouncy score by David Yazbek and a laugh-filled book by Jeffrey Lane. The fun-filled production is...

‘Broadway’s Baddest Bitches’ at Glass Mind Theatre by Amanda Gunther

The place to be Sunday night was the Cabaret showdown as Glass Mind Theatre presented the kick-off to its third season with a charity gala event Broadway’s Baddest Bitches. Celebrating some of the...

Idina Menzel at Wolf Trap by Jane Coyne

It was a hot and steamy night at Wolf Trap last night. Part of this had to do with the weather, but most of it was due to the arrival of Broadway superstar Idina Menzel. As the evening began, NSO@Wolf...

Jerry Seinfeld at The Kennedy Center by Mike Spain

Jerry Seinfeld packed the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall last night. Seinfeld has been doing stand-up comedy routines for 37 years and along the way appeared on late-night television shows and finally...

‘Following Sarah’ at Fells Point Corner Theatre by Amanda Gunther

Every race has three parts: the first part you run with your head, where you do all the thinking, letting your mind take over. The second part you run with your legs; it’s all physical you don’t...

Here’s the Schedule for Tomorrow’s Open House at Signature Theatre

August 4, 2012-Signature Open House Schedule: Beginning at Noon One day ticket sale! 50% off select shows for next season. Available at the Box Office only! Box Office open 11:45am to 9:30pm on Aug 4...

Stage Dad: ‘A Better Dad Now’ by Glenn Cook

I became a better father when my dad died. It was five years ago this past week – a lifetime in many respects. Dad had been ill for some time, thanks to a slightly toxic gene pool that forced him to...

No Rules Theatre Company Moves to Signature Theatre’s ARK Theatre by Joel Markowitz

What great news! No Rules Theatre Company (NRTC) is relocating from H Street Playhouse to Signature Theatre, where they will perform in The Ark Theatre. This begins a 3-year partnership between the...

UrbanArias Presents ‘Blind Dates’ including ‘Craigslistlieder’ at IOTA on August 5th at 7 PM by Robert Wood

UrbanArias, the DC-area’s purveyor of high-quality, short contemporary opera is performing at Arlington’s IOTA Club and Cafe this coming weekend, on August 5th at 7 p.m.. Our program includes a set of...

Director Grady Weatherford on ‘A Maze’ at Rorschach Theatre

To find your way out of a maze you put your hand on the wall and follow the wall. Eventually you will find your way out. But what happens when the maze has no walls? It’s a maze drawn on the floor, or...

Part Two: Letters From the Dead: ‘Finding Ben’ by Stephen Gregory Smith

Finding Ben Welcome back to the Farmhouse. Sunset is approaching, and we haven’t much time before night, so I will attempt to be brief. We’re going to have to gather the things that we need before the...

Dance Review: Bill T. Jones and the Arnie Zane Dance Company performing ‘Story/Time’ at Wolf Trap by Carolyn Kelemen

“All art is informed by a spiritual impulse,” Bill T. Jones told fans at a Columbia Festival of the Arts workshop in 1994, which I attended. “Language and idea and emotion transcend intellectual...

Vladik Miagkostoupov: Juggler Extraordinaire at Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Dralion’ by Carolyn Kelemen

Juggling is a way of life for “Cirque” star Vladik Miagkostupov is the Mikhail Baryshnikov of juggling. With stylized choreography that makes the most of his incredible flexibility, this 28-year-old...

Part One: ‘Letters from the Living Dead’ by Stephen Gregory Smith

Welcome to the Farmhouse Hello everyone, and welcome to the Farmhouse. My name is Stephen Gregory Smith, and I will be your tour guide through this isolated, remote house in rural Western...

‘Sunset Boulevard’ at Cockpit in Court by Amanda Gunther

With one look you’ll find yourself surrendering to the mystical magical charms of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic story in Cockpit in Court’s final musical offering of their 40th anniversary season as...

‘Laura’ at Cockpit in Court by Amanda Gunther

The dark and stormy night. The shadowy detective. The dame in distress. The murder. The mystery. All of the signature notes of crime noir are bundled up in one tight suspenseful package as Cockpit in...

An Interview with Filmmaker Shawn Anthony by Teresa McCormick Ertel

Filmmaker Shawn Anthony is an accomplished illusionist, known as the “Post Modern Houdini.” He is also the creator of Vampires: Rise of the Fallen, a full-length feature film currently on location in...

‘Marathon ’33’ at The American Century Theater by David Friscic

If you think the Summer Olympics from London this year is a grueling test of endurance, join the haggard corps of downtrodden, exploited dance marathon contestants at the grueling Marathon ’33 which...

‘Personals’ at Tasty Monster Productions by Jane Coyne

I always enjoy spending time in the quaint and creative environment of the Gaithersburg Arts Barn. It was especially fun last night, because of the wonderful jazz set that preceded the Tasty Monster...

‘Sweeney Todd’ at The Little Theatre of Alexandria by Julia L. Exline

The Little Theatre of Alexandria presents Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, a macabre musical about a wronged man and his consuming fixation on revenge. Directed by...

Cabaret Review: ‘Revenge of the Understudies’ at Signature Theatre by Jennifer Perry

14 Signature Theatre understudies closed out Signature Theatre’s Summer 2012 Sizzin’ Summer Cabaret Series with Revenge of the Understudies. Presenting an interesting conglomeration of mostly...

Theatermania’s ‘Capital Fringe Audience Awards’ Winners Announced

Preview Changes Theatermania.com announced this year’s Capital Fringe Audience Awards tonight. Here are this year’s winners: (1) Comedy: R.U.X. (Rockwell’s Universal seXbots) (2) Drama: We Tiresias...

‘Lincoln and God’ at Greenbelt Arts Center by Kim Moeller

The producers, cast, and crew of Lincoln and God must have felt like God was out of town on Friday night as their production experienced one calamity after another. The computer system was down making...

‘The Agony and The Ecstasy Of Steve Jobs’ by Erica Laxson

Steve Jobs is a well-known fanboy’s wet dream, but Mike Daisey’s one-man performance of The Agony and The Ecstasy Of Steve Jobs enlightens viewers to the soul numbing truth of Jobs’ real legacy....

“Best of the Capital Fringe” By DC Theater Arts’ Reviewers by Joel Markowitz

As we await the announcement of the ‘Audience Awards’ by Theatermania at 8 PM tomorrow night at ‘The Tent,’ here are the shows (in alphabetical order) that were named ‘Best of the Capital Fringe’ when...

Summer Youth Production of ‘Guys and Dolls’ at the Laurel Mill Playhouse by Amanda Gunther

Luck be a lady for the 2012 Summer Youth Production of Guys and Dolls at the Laurel Mill Playhouse. The musical fable of Broadway hits the stage with 30 young actors singing and dancing to Frank...

Film Review: ‘The Queen of Versailles’ by Bari Biern

The Queen of Versailles illustrates perfectly the roller-coaster-flying-by-the-seat-of-your-pants aspect of documentary filmmaking. The director straps herself in, points the camera and holds on for...

‘Mein Kampf’ at Scena Theatre by Grace Kim

Having had a long tough week, a play billed as a dark comedy sounded like just the thing to end my Friday night with. And Mein Kampf, written by the illustrious George Tabori and directed by Robert...

‘Will Gartshore: Stripped Down’ at Round House Theatre by Don Michael Mendoza

Multiple Helen Hayes Award-winner Will Gartshore presented part two of his summer cabaret series entitled Stripped Down, (part one was called Dressed Up) at Round House Theatre’s Over The Line...

‘The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses’ at Wolf Trap by Erica Laxson

Last night Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts celebrated the middle of their summer season with a National Symphony Orchestra masterpiece. Hundreds of video game fans flocked to the one...

‘Erin Driscoll: Get Happy! The Songs of Harold Arlen’ at Signature Theatre by Kim Moeller

I spent a wonderful evening last night going back in time at Signature Theatre’s ‘Sizzlin’ Summer Cabaret’s’ Erin Driscoll: Get Happy! The Songs of Harold Arlen. It wasn’t just the music of Harold...

Josh McKerrow on Directing ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at Reisterstown Theatre Project by Teresa McCormick Ertel

Shakespeare in the Park, as brought to the community by Reisterstown Theatre Project, has become a welcome summer staple in the area. This year, from July 27 through August 11th, RTP is offering is...

DC Theater Arts Reviews All 134 Capital Fringe Shows

Last night DC Theater Arts completed its goal of reviewing all 134 shows in The Capital Fringe Festival. It is a major accomplishment for our site and it coincided with the 5th month anniversary of...

Ingrid Michaelson and Rufus Wainwright at Wolf Trap by Teal Ruland

Before this evening, I had never been to Wolf Trap for a performance, but it reminds me of the greatest tree house I never had, with stellar acoustics and lights to boot. Tonight, Ingrid Michaelson...

Johnny Mathis with Special Guest Brad Upton at Wolf Trap

One might think that Johnny Mathis received an extended and spontaneous standing ovation simply for setting foot on the stage at Wolf Trap on Friday night, but this would not be true. You see, with a...

‘Grease’ at Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Baltimore by Amanda Gunther

You’ll fall head over heels into summer loving as Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Baltimore presents the hit musical classic Grease, and I promise you’ll have a blast! The epic love story of the 50s comes...

Capital Fringe Review: ‘Inanimate Thoughts’ by Joel Markowitz

MashUp Contemporary Dance Company presented an energy-filled Inanimate Thoughts tonight at Gala Hispanic Theatre – the perfect venue to showcase the beautiful and breathtaking talents of its group of...

Jackson Browne With Sara Watkins at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

It is rare to see the headliner introduce the opening act; however that is exactly what Jackson Browne did Monday night at Wolf Trap when he introduced Sara Watkins. Jackson Browne also sat in for her...

‘The Pirates of Penzance’ at Encore Stage and Studio by Julia L. Exline

Encore Stage and Studio presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, a two-act operetta that has remained in production since 1879. Directed by Evan Hoffmann, this production is...

An Interview with Actor Sam Lukowski by Teresa McCormick Ertel

Up and Coming… Charismatic and talented local film actor Sam Lukowski, AKA ‘Spooky,’ is one of the hardest working performers in the local industry. With a penchant for thrillers, Sam is a chameleon...

‘Lethal Injection’ at The Vagabond Players at The Baltimore Playwrights Festival

At what point does murder no longer qualify as murder? And what happens if murder is murder but the justice system is corrupted by politics? Who will ensure that justice is served? That is the premise...

‘Colonial Players Bits ‘N Pieces One Act Play Festival’: Part One by Amanda Gunther

For a bit of fun and excitement this summer you should check out the Colonial Players Bits ‘N Pieces One Act Play Festival. With so many exciting entries to the festival this year the creative team...

John Tesh at Wolf Trap by Mike Spain

John Tesh looks so natural fronting a band even if it is a 12-piece big band orchestra. His speaking voice and stage presence has been honed by many years of television and radio work. Fifty plus...

‘Snow White and the 7 Dwarves’ at The Puppet Company by Julia L. Exline

The Puppet Co. presents Snow White and the 7 Dwarves, a retelling of the Grimm’s classic with a cast comprised of people…and puppets! With puppets and animation by Christopher Piper, this version...

‘The Dumb Waiter’ and ‘Trifles’ at Unexpected Stage Company by Kim Moeller

Who? What? Why? These are just the first of many questions that arise during Unexpected Stage Company’s newest production, a double bill of Harold Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter and Susan Glaspell’s...

‘A Little Trick and Afterplay’ at Quotidian Theatre Company by Connie Morris

What a wonderful little gem the Quotidian Theatre Company of Bethesda is. With performances tucked away at the Writer’s Center on Walsh Street, the decidedly unremarkable building houses a delightful...

Capital Fringe Review: ‘A is for Artist’ by Natalie McCabe

“Often times, I’ve observed that organizations feel forced to prioritize art, audience, and artist. O Starsf the three, the artists are, more often than not, left to their own devices,” JR Russ,...

Capital Fringe Review: ‘Delusions of Grandeur’ by Cyle Durkee

Delusions of Grandeur is a fun romp through many things clown and a few things Shakespeare (though the only actual monologue comes from Matthew Pauli {and is beautiful}). There is a clownish heist,...

Capital Fringe Review: ‘The Cloudism Project’ by Cyle Durkee

Ok…this one is a bit different. Start with one of the best curtain speeches (designed to get everyone to turn off their cell phones) I’ve ever seen, delivered by Karen Beriss who is telling her mom on...