2012

‘NightoftheLivingDead (the musical) at Kensington Arts Theatre by Joel Markowitz

You have to tip your hat to the folks at Kensington Arts Center (KAT) for supporting and hosting the World Premiere of NightoftheLivingDead (the musical), the musicalized and new interpretation of the...

‘War Horse’ at The Kennedy Center by Amanda Gunther

In the midst of war and a future uncertain comes a story of bravery, loyalty and companionship as The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts proudly presents the National Theatre of Great Britain...

Doing the Timewarp: Meet the Cast of Washington Savoyards ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ Part Four: Ryan Patrick Welsh

Here’s Part Four of meeting the cast of The Washington Savoyard’s The Rocky Horror Shows. Today: meet Ryan Patrick Welsh. My name is Ryan Patrick Welsh. I graduated from Catholic University’s musical...

‘Cartas de las Golondrinas (Letters from the Swallows)’ at Teatro de la Luna by Colleeen Sproull

This was my first experience with Teatro de la Luna, which now celebrates its 15th year, and after tonight’s stunning performance by Noelia Fernández and Esther Aja in Cartas de las Golondrinas...

‘Finian’s Rainbow’ at Catholic University by Jessica Vaughan

Catholic University’s Benjamin T. Rome School of Music mounts a fabulous production of Finian’s Rainbow for its fall musical, with additional actors from Howard University and Duke Ellington School of...

Meet The ‘Big Kids’ by Joel Markowitz

As Big, The Musical-TYA concludes its run this weekend at Adventure Theatre-MTC, I had a chance to interview the five talented young members of the cast: Brendan DeBonis, Marley McKay, Maya Brettell,...

‘The Completely Fictional-Utterly True-Final Strange Tale of Edgar Allan Poe’ at CENTERSTAGE by Amanda Gunther

Once upon a midnight dreary there came a production that spoke quite clearly of a haunted poet whose tale is known forever more; the madness of a man quite clearly haunted by his ending nearly,...

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Compass Rose Studio Theater by Amanda Gunther

Learning to stand in another man’s shoes is no easy task as Harper Lee reminds us in the literary classic To Kill A Mockingbird. Brought to the stage through Christopher Sergel’s adaptation based on...

Meet Into the Woods’ Alexandra Pool, Matt Succi, Matthew Lincoln-Bugg & Rafael Medina @ George Mason University

Journey into the woods as we meet four cast members – Alexandra Pool, Matt Succi, Matthew Lincoln-Bugg & Rafael Medina – of George Mason University’s production of Into the Woods, playing this weekend...

‘Into the Woods’ Brittany Martz, Jacob Lash, Kate Merryman, and Miranda Carver at George Mason University

Journey into the woods as we meet four cast members – Brittany Martz, Kate Merryman, Jacob Lash, and Miranda Carver – of George Mason University’s production of Into the Woods, playing this weekend at...

Meet Kyle Imperatore (Baker) and Cara Pellegrino (Baker’s Wife) of George Mason University’s ‘Into the Woods’

Meet The Baker and The Baker’s Wife in George Mason University’s production of Into the Woods. My name is Kyle Imperatire. I am 19 years old and I grew up in the town of Mastic Beach on Long Island,...

Let’s Rally Behind Spooky Action Theater!

Today I received an email from Julie Jacobson who informed me and the theatre community that ‘neighborhood opposition’ could lose Spooky Action Theater their home in the Universalist National Memorial...

Inside the Music: An Interview With Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Jonathan Carney by Jane Coyne

I caught up with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Jonathan Carney at the Music Center at Strathmore over the weekend. Along with the BSO principal cellist Dariusz Skoraczewski, he is...

The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s ‘Cantorial’ Opens This Weekend by Director C. Evans Kirk

C. Evans Kirk tells us about directing The Little Theatre of Alexandria’s new production Cantorial – which opens this weekend. “Written by famed American dramatist Ira Levin (author of Rosemary’s Baby...

This Saturday – ‘2012 Walk to End Alzheimer’s’ in the Nation’s Capital by Nancy Daly

2012 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in the Nation’s Capital – Washington, DC Come join us on this wonderful team of Actors, Industry Colleagues, Friends and Family THIS Saturday, October 27th on the National...

Doing the Timewarp: Meet the Cast of Washington Savoyards’ ‘The Rocky Horror Show’: Part Three: Aaren Keith

Here’s Part Three of meeting the cast of The Washington Savoyard’s The Rocky Horror Shows. Today: meet Aaren Keith. I am Aaren Keith. I recently graduated and made the move to DC to be a part of...

‘Going Into the Woods’: Part Two: Musical Director Dennis M. Layendecker by Joel Markowitz

Dr. Dennis M. Layendecker, director of the School of Music and University Heritage Chair of Music, will conduct the Mason Symphony Orchestra for George Mason University’s Department of Theater and...

‘I Love to Eat’ at Round House Theatre by David Friscic

Like a dinner with a good friend, Round House Theatre’s production of I Love to Eat is a savory and satisfying addition to their 2012-2013 theatre season. Producing Artistic Director Ryan Rilette has...

‘Beauty and the Beast’ at The Puppet Co. by Julia L. Exline

The Puppet Co. presents Beauty and the Beast, an iconic tale performed in one of its lesser-known original versions, treating the audience with a different perspective in which to view one of their...

Shakespeare Theatre Company Files Injunction to Stay in Lansburgh Theatre – Please Sign the Petition!

Here is the latest news from Shakespeare Theatre Company regarding its attempts to continue to occupy The Lansburgh Theatre: “The Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) filed a lawsuit this week including...

‘Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) by Mike Spain

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson is a rock musical with a score and clever lyrics by Michael Friedman, and a book by Alex Timbers. You have to give the cast of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson a standing...

Married to the Stage: Part 6: ‘Skills We Learned Toiling in Other Time Zones’ by Natalie McCabe

Not long ago, my aunt observed me knitting away and asked where I had learned the skill. “Well, when you work in other centuries, you just pick things up,” I replied. She laughed, but it’s true. When...

An interview with Kristofer and Rolando Sanz on Young Artists of America’s Upcoming Season by Joel Markowitz

Young Artists of America, which was founded just over a year ago by Artistic Director Rolando Sanz, Music Director Kristofer Sanz, and Executive Director Jane Coyne, provides opportunities for high...

‘Dirt’ at The Studio Theatre Theatre by David Friscic

Dirt may be the main scenic component of The Studio Theatre’s World Premiere production of Dirt now playing at their Studio Lab, but Scenic Designer Debra Booth has supplied twinkling stars in the...

‘Next to Normal’ at The Vagabond Players by Amanda Gunther

Define normal. Everyone thinks it is the standard by which we compare how well our lives are going, but it turns out when you look at what’s ‘normal’ you’ll find that it is rarity — most people’s...

Parker Esse on Directing and Choreographing Catholic University’s ‘Finian’s Rainbow’ by Joel Markowitz

Choreographer Parker Esse who was the recipient of a Helen Hayes Award for his high-kickin’, foot-stompin’, hand-clappin’ choreography for Arena Stage’s Oklahoma!, is back in town to direct and...

Baltimore Symphony at Strathmore “Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony-Benedetto Lupo, Piano” by Jane Coyne

Under the baton of much loved guest conductor Juanjo Mena, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performed a fabulous concert at The Music Center at Strathmore on Saturday, October 20, 2012. The concert...

‘Pocahontas’ at Riverside Center Dinner Theater by Julia L. Exline

Riverside Center presents Pocahontas as part of their “Lunch n’ Show” program, where parents are welcomed to enjoy a provided lunch with their child before enjoying live entertainment. With a book by...

‘You Can’t Take it With You’ at Providence Players of Fairfax by Julia L. Exline

Providence Players of Fairfax presents You Can’t Take it With You, written by Moss Hart and David S. Kaufman and winner of the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Directed by Chip Gertzog, this satire...

‘VelocityDC Dance Festival’ by Breena Siegel

VelocityDC Dance Festival kicked off this past Thursday at the Sidney Harman Hall at Shakespeare Theatre Company. Entering its fourth year, the festival provides an opportunity to experience dance in...

‘The Rocky Horror Show’ at Washington Savoyards by Erica Laxson

Look out DC, Washington Savoyards presentation of The Rocky Horror Show is here just in time for Halloween and is sure to make you scream! Director Jay D. Brock delivers the laugh-a-minute show and...

‘Crossing’ at Signature Theatre by Don Michael Mendoza

Signature Theatre’s concert version of Grace Barnes and Matt Conner’s Crossing tells the story of eight people all in different decades of the twentieth century waiting at the same train station....

‘The Clean House’ at The Elden Street Players by Julia L. Exline

The Elden Street Players presents The Clean House, a thought-provoking comedy by Sarah Ruhl. Director Susan Devine has a tall order with this play, as it covers a broad spectrum of emotions, from...

‘Cirque Chinois’ at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts by Dr. Cheryl Paulhus

I attended the spectacular new production, Cirque Chinois tonight at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts performed by The National Circus of the People’s Republic of China. Step right up to...

‘Our Class’ at Theater J by Tzvi Kahn

Our Class, the searing, emotionally devastating, and unforgettable new production at Theater J, constitutes both a play and an enervating pedagogical exercise – a Holocaust-era case study in the moral...

‘Trespassing’ at Ambassador Theater by Jessica Vaughan

Ambassador Theater takes on trespassers and unexpected visitors with two madcap one-acts by Egyptian playwright Alfred Farag. The first, The Visitor, tells the story of an actress and the policeman...

‘The Glass Menagerie’ at Towson University Department of Theatre Arts

A unique presentation of one of Tennessee Williams’ most popular plays comes to the stage as Towson University’s Department of Theatre Arts presents The Glass Menagerie. Directed by Stephen Nunns, the...

‘DruidMurphy’ at The Kennedy Center by Jennifer Perry

One of the great things about living in Washington, DC is that we have access to an assortment of international theatrical productions most of which are presented by the John F. Kennedy Center for the...

Doing the Time Warp: Meet the Cast of Washington Savoyards’ “The Rocky Horror Show”: Part 2: John Loughney

In Part Two of a series of interviews with the cast of Washington Savoyards’The Rocky Horror Show – we meet John Loughney, who is playing Riff Raff. Joel: Why did you want to be part of this...

‘Hungry for Music’ Presents Musical Visions: Live Music and Art Auction on November 8th by Jordan Wright

Eighteen years ago the non-profit Hungry for Music was founded by local entrepreneur Jeff Campbell – a man inspired by a vision to heal the world through music. The idea germinated back in 1992 while...

Ranting With Cyle: ‘Sounds of Silence’ by Cyle Durkee

Silence. Makes people…. Nervous. Which I find a bit odd. You would think that it would take the pressure off, right? We could all just not talk, and everyone should be fine with that (now replace...

‘Almost, Maine’ at George Washington University by Breena Siegel

Almost, Maine opened last night, presented by The George Washington University (GWU) Department of Dance & Theater, to an audience of animated students and adults alike. Almost, Maine written by John...

‘Cymbeline’ at The Annapolis Shakespeare Company by Amanda Gunther

The Annapolis Shakespeare Company invites you to a realm of royalty where kings banish their daughters’ secret husbands to lands far away, where evil queens plot to take over the throne with the aid...

‘A Clockwork Orange’ at Scena Theatre by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

Good. Is being good truly good if it is not by choice? Evil has to exist along with good, in order that moral choice may operate. Evil. Which is worse, chosen evil or forced good? “A man who cannot...

‘The History Boys’ at Georgetown University by Mariya Danilenko

The Mask and Bauble Dramatic Society’s production of The History Boys at Georgetown University is worthy of being performed at a prestigious theatre in DC. The History Boys is a play by Alan Bennett...

‘Guys and Dolls’ at American University by Jessica Vaughan

American University’s Department of Performing Arts puts on a slick, fast, and fun production of Guys and Dolls to kick off their 2012-2013 season. Karl Kippola is both the director and choreographer,...

‘Going Into the Woods’ at George Mason University: Part One: Director Ken Elston by Joel Markowitz

Director Ken Elston talks about his vision and introduces us to the cast and designers of George Mason University’s Department of Theater and School of Music‘s collaborative production of Stephen...

‘Cole Porter: You’re the Top!’ at Creative Cauldron by Doug Poms

Creative Cauldron in Falls Church, Virginia offers the DC area a great opportunity to hear the genius of composer Cole Porter, and a glimpse at his complicated relationship with his wife, Linda. Cole...

Mary Bridget Davies on playing Janis Joplin in ‘One Night With Janis Joplin’ at Arena Stage by Joel Markowitz

I could not believe what I was seeing and hearing when I attended One Night with Janis Joplin last week at Arena Stage. Mary Bridget Davies gives one of the most amazing performances I had ever seen...

‘Hedda Gabler’ at Catholic University by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

Dramatist Henrik Ibsen’s works are filled with strong women and insights into the human condition. Hedda Gabler, one of the idiomatic Ibsen’s most noted and popular productions, is no exception....