2012

Help Save Backstage!! by Rip Claassen

Since opening its doors in 1981, Backstage has provided the DC theatre community with access to theatre scripts, books, make-up, costumes, and dance supplies. This company was founded due to the...

SCENA Celebrates its 25th Anniversary with December 16th Gala by Monica Jilling

SCENA Celebrates its 25th Anniversary December 16th with a Gala Event featuring international artists Washington’s premiere cultural institution for international drama is celebrating its 25th...

Welcome Mark Dewey to DCMetroTheaterArts!

I am so happy to announce that Mark Dewey, Editor of The Shenandoah Press has joined the team of writers at DCMetroTheaterArts. Mark will be reporting on and reviewing shows in the Shenandoah Valley...

Molotov Theatre Group Restructures Executive Leadership

Effective January 01, 2013, Michael Wright, founding Artistic Director of SeeNoSun OnStage, will join Molotov Theatre Group as Co-Artistic Director. “I have always admired the artistic and critical...

Ballet West: ‘The Nutcracker’ at The Kennedy Center by Tiffany Draut

There are certain things that always signal the holiday season: among others, candy canes, Santa Claus in the mall, and The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker is the ballet of the holiday season, and Ballet...

DC Theatre Scene’s 2012 ‘Holiday Gifts for Theatre Lovers’ Guide by Joel Markowitz

Every year I wait for Brad Hathaway to post his Holiday Gifts for Theatre Lovers guide on DC Theatre Scene because I always have a hard time finding holiday gifts for my friends who are theatre fans,...

Anthony Rapp, Eleasha Gamble, and Heidi Blickenstaff at ArtSpeak Tonight at BCC High School at 7 PM

Tonight at 7 PM at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School – Anthony Rapp (RENT), Heidi Blickenstaff (Title of Show) and Eleasha Gamble (Oklahoma!) will be the special guests at ArtSpeak – a program...

Andrew Varela on Playing Javert in ‘Les Miserables’ at The National Theatre by Joel Markowitz

The 25th Anniversary production of Les Misérables will be playing at The National Theatre from December 13-30th. I am a Les Miz fanatic and have the seen the show over 20 times and one of my all-time...

‘Claudie Hukill’ at Venus Theatre by Amanda Gunther

Every small town has a small town hero. And for every small town hero there’s bound to be some family secrets that go along with him. Of course in a small town they probably aren’t as secret as the...

‘The Arkansaw Bear’ at The Montgomery Playhouse by Amanda Gunther

As the holidays approach it’s the time of year where we start to examine traditions. Things done in the family that celebrate the spirit of the season and help keep the memory of loved ones with us...

Daniel Cooney on Playing Bill Austin in ‘Mamma Mia!’ on Broadway by Joel Markowitz

I have been a big fan of Daniel Cooney since I saw him play Edgar Allan Poe and The Baker in Signature Theatre’s productions of Nevermore and Into the Woods. Recently, I was happy to learn that Daniel...

‘Young Robin Hood’ at Round House Theatre by Anne Tsang

The world premiere of Young Robin Hood, written by Jon Klein, at Round House Theatre, is a multi-faceted show. At first look, the production, directed by Derek Goldman, seems to be a simple story of...

HCC’s Arts Collective’s Magical Twist on Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” Dec. 6 – 16th by Sue Kramer

Did we hear you right? Did you say “Bah-humbug..(groan).. Not another A Christmas Carol?!!! Hold your sleigh horses! This adaptation of Dickens’ beloved story has a not-to-be-missed unique and magical...

‘Wonderful Life’ at The Hub Theatre and Theater Alliance at H Street Playhouse by Amanda Gunther

Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings. The classic Christmas saying that signals the time for a trip up to cozy Bedford Falls, New York. The story is all there, perhaps not in the order you...

‘A Killing Game’ at dog & pony dc by Flora Scott

A Killing Game was weird, stirring, uncomfortable, frightening, funny, illogical, confusing, upsetting, light-hearted and gay – and collectively all so vaguely familiar. The clownish theatrical...

Tonight at “La-Ti-Do: Sam Edgerly, Angela Miller, and Sarah D. Lawson by Don Michael Mendoza

TONIGHT – MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2012 AT 8 PM La-Ti-Do At Black Fox Lounge 1723 Connecticut Avenue Northwest Washington, DC 20009 $10 cover charge at the door. Doors open at 7:50 pm for an 8 pm start....

Tonight at 7 PM: Signature Theatre Hosts Concert & CD Release Party for Sandy Bainum’s ‘This Christmas’

Signature Theatre Hosts Concert & CD Release Party for Sandy Bainum’s This Christmas Tonight Tonight, December 3, 2012 at 7 PM, Signature Theatre welcomes singer and actress Sandy Bainum (Show Boat...

‘Altar Boyz’ at 1st Stage by Julia L. Exline

1st Stage presents Altar Boyz, a musical comedy with a book by Kevin Del Aguila and music and lyrics by Gary Adler. Steven Royal directs this hilarious and catchy satire about a Christian boy band who...

‘The Nutcracker’ at The Washington Ballet by Carolyn Kelemen

Septime Webre’s The Nutcracker gets the jump on holiday cheer! Lavish or plain, with live music or canned, The Nutcracker is a ballet for and about kids. These were my thoughts as I sat in the...

‘Jazz for Justice’ at Hylton Performing Arts Center by Audrey Thornton

Nearly twenty-five years to the day of passage of H.CON. RES 57 (12/4/87) officially designating jazz as a rare and valuable national American treasure and art form, the George Mason University Jazz...

‘A Commedia Christmas Carol’ by Jessica Vaughan

Faction of Fools Theatre Company combines Charles Dickens and Commedia Dell’Arte this Christmas for an inspired production of A Commedia Christmas Carol. The larger than life fable with its...

‘The Santaland Diaries’ by Anne Tsang

When I was first introduced to David Sedaris in college, I was hooked from the first word by his sardonic humor. The Santaland Diaries, chronicles his adventures (or should I say mis-adventures?) as...

‘A Christmas Carol’ at The Little Theatre of Alexandria by Julia L. Exline

The Little Theatre of Alexandria presents A Christmas Carol, the beloved holiday classic by Charles Dickens about a miserly old man who is visited by three cautionary spirits on Christmas Eve. Rachel...

Eileen Ivers at Wolf Trap by Jessica Vaughan

Eileen Ivers brought down The Barns at Wolf Trap in an evening of blazing fiddles and holiday classics with her fantastic band Immigrant Soul. Eileen Ivers is a fiddle player from the Bronx, or as she...

‘Pullman Porter Blues’ at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater by Jennifer Perry

Often I find that the productions in our area that interest me the most are ones that take a lesser-known story, concept, or theme, bring it to life with extraordinary actors, and entertain local...

An Interview with E. Faye Butler on Playing Sister Juba in “Pullman Porter Blues’ at Arena Stage by Joel Markowitz

E. Faye Butler returns to Arena Stage as Sister Juba in Pullman Porter Blues. E. Faye fills us in on the history of The Pullman Porters and how they helped African Americans to come into the middle...

‘Miracle on 34th Street’ at The Montgomery Playhouse by Anne Tsang

One of my favorite holiday memories as a child was putting on a pretty dress and going to stand in the line at Macy’s in Herald Square with my cousins for our annual visit and photos with Santa. My...

‘Filichia on Friday’ on Kritzerland: ‘November Leftovers’ by Peter Filichia

This is the one article that got a way this month from Columnist Peter Filichia’s column on Kritzerland called ‘Filichia on Friday.’‘ This week: November Leftovers Peter Filichia is a New York-based...

The Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre is hosting a Charity Date Auction on Sunday December 9, 2012

The Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre is hosting a Charity Date Auction on Sunday December 9, 2012! As a part of their ADA Renovation Capital Campaign, Spotlighters wants to be fully accessible to...

Lar Lubovitch Dance Company at The Kennedy Center by Breena Siegel

Lar Lubovitch displays his work of artful dance at the Kennedy Center for two nights only. He is amongst the brilliant choreographers on the contemporary dance lineup for the 2012 – 2013 season. Lar’s...

DCMTA’S “Favorite Quotes From Our Favorite Shows of the Week” – November 22-29, 2012 by Joel Markowitz

Here’s something new on DCMetroTheaterArts! Every Friday, I will be posting my favorite quotes from our 5-star reviews of the week. Here we go! (1) Dreamgirls at Signature Theatre. Andrew L. Baughman:...

Bay Theatre Company Presents ‘The Foursome’ December 7-January 13th by Janet Luby

Bay Theatre Company presents The Foursome by Norm Foster – from December 7, 2012 – January 13, 2013, Directed by Jim Chance. The Bay Theatre presents its second show of the season, Norm Foster’s The...

Gay Men’s Chorus Presents ‘Winter Nights’ Tonight and Saturday at Lisner Auditorium by Taunee Grant

Welcome the holiday season in style, with bold backdrops, stunning costumes and lights, dancers, and a Chorus of over 200 singers. Winter Nights proves to be one of the biggest – if not the biggest –...

Kathleen Mitchell to be Honored at Washington Savoyards at Atlas on December 10th

On December 10, 2012, Washington Savoyards is hosting a fundraiser in honor of Kathleen Mitchell’s 10 years of leadersdhip. The event will take place at Atlas Performing Arts Center. Expect to hear...

The British Players’ ‘The Princess and the Sprout’ Opens Tonight

The British Players present THE PRINCESS AND THE SPROUT. This traditional holiday pantomime, a theatrical treat that for centuries has entertained audiences all around the British Isles. Delight in...

‘Bus Stop’ at CENTERSTAGE by Amanda Gunther

March is sure coming in like a lion! Or so you’ll see as William Inge’s Bus Stop pulls into CENTERSTAGE for the holidays. Directed by David Schweizer, this charming story brings a blizzard to a little...

‘Girls Night: The Musical!’ An Interview With Producer and Performer Sonya Carter by Jordan Wright

Sisterhood is alive and well and coming to the Carlyle Club in Alexandria. For two nights only the city’s most sophisticated nightclub will be taken by storm by five rip-roaring tell-it-like-it-is...

Gay Men’s Chorus Presents ‘Winter Nights’ Tomorrow and Saturday at Lisner Auditorium by Taunee Grant

Welcome the holiday season in style, with bold backdrops, stunning costumes and lights, dancers, and a Chorus of over 200 singers. Winter Nights proves to be one of the biggest – if not the biggest –...

Loverly Things are Bloomin’ at Arena Stage Friday Through Sunday by Julia Suszynski

COSTUME-THEMED FLORAL CONTEST AND EXHIBIT ISN’T SHE LOVERLY: DESIGN IN BLOOM AT ARENA STAGE AT THE MEAD CENTER FOR AMERICAN THEATER FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30 – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2012 In celebration of...

‘Dreamgirls’ at Signature Theatre by Andrew L. Baughman

“You’re gonna love me,” wails Nova Y. Payton as cast-off lead singer Effie White in the showstopper Act I finale of Signature’s Dreamgirls. Payton makes good on her promise: I do love her. In fact, I...

‘Million Dollar Quartet’ at The Hippodrome Theatre by Amanda Gunther

Goodness gracious great balls of fire! One night. Sun Records studio. And the four great legends of music— December 4, 1956 brought together ‘The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,’ ‘The Man in Black,’ ‘The...

Anime Momotaro Premieres On The East Coast at Imagination Stage January 30-March 10, 2013 by Deb Fiscella

Anime Momotaro Premieres On The East Coast An Action-Packed Anime Adventure January 30 – March 10, 2013 Anime Momotaro is a staging of a famous Japanese folktale that teaches powerful lessons about...

An Interview with Choreographer Maida Withers on ‘Collision Course – a.k.a. Pillow Talk’ by Rick Westerkamp

Maida Withers is an artist with extraordinary gifts for dance and choreography. She loves not know and is as interested in the discovery as in the performance. And artist who has reinvented herself...

‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at Shakespeare Theatre Company by Grace Kim

Escape from your daily grind and let the beautiful poetry of Shakespeare’s lyrical tale take you to another realm. That realm belongs to darling mischievous Puck – as you will witness in Shakespeare...

Olney Theatre Center Extends ‘Cinderella’ to January 6, 2013 by Laura Asendio

Olney Theatre Center Announces Extension of Cinderella Olney Theatre Center’ Cinderella is now extended through January 6, 2013! OLNEY, MD – November 26, 2012 – Olney Theatre Center announces the...

‘A Christmas Carol’ at Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia by Amanda Gunther

Bah! Humbug! The classic Christmas line echoed through the years by the notorious and original Grinch of Christmas; the timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge brought brilliantly to life with music, wonder...

‘The Commedia Puss in Boots’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre (‘MET’) by Mike Spain

The Fun Company at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre has brought back the Commedia Troupe from last year’s wonderful production of The Commedia Pinnochio. This year it’s the cat with the sword – the...

FallFringe Review: ‘Burlesque + Belly Laughs’ by Cyle Durkee

Burlesque. Comedy. Together. Right? Can you go wrong with this? No. Let’s begin with the opening of the room. As people enter they are personally greeted by Justin Purvis. He is not a character, he is...

FallFringe Review: ‘R.U.X.’ (Rockwell’s Universal seXbots) by Cyle Durkee

Robot Sex. Perfect Fringe show, right? You would think so. And it almost is. R.U.X. is about an embattled businessman named Rockwell. Rockwell Jr. to be precise. His father’s company has been...

‘Mame’ at Spotlighters Theatre by Amanda Gunther

Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death so live, Live, LIVE! The philosophy practiced proud and true by the bold and talented cast of Mame at Spotlighters Theatre this holiday...