2013

‘Whisperings’: Behind the Scenes at Olney Theatre Center’s ‘Spring Awakening’: Part 1: Director Steve Cosson

Director Steven Cosson begins our series of interviews with the cast and designers of Olney Theatre Center’s Spring Awakening. Joel: There are dozens of productions of Spring Awakening scheduled in...

‘Shakespeare’s R&J’ at Signature Theatre by David Friscic

Shakespeare’s R&J, the somewhat hip title ascribed to Joe Calarco’s creative adaptation and intertwining of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet set in a Catholic all-male boarding school, is highly...

‘Living the Dream… Singing the Dream Celebrating the Legacy of MLK’ at The Kennedy Center by Audrey Thornton

Kudos to another sold-out season performance of The Choral Arts Society of Washington and the Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS). For the third year, the societies commanded a musical feast of...

‘The Glass Menagerie’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) by Mike Spain

Maryland Ensemble Theatre continues its tradition of producing thought-provoking theatre with their heartfelt and powerful production of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. Director Peter Wray...

‘Black Comedy’ at No Rules Theatre Company by Doug Poms

No Rules Theatre Company gets off to a fantastic start at its new location at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, with Peter Shaffer’s hysterical Black Comedy. This classic British farce by...

Part 2: ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ at Round House Theatre: Meet Alexander Strain by Joel Markowitz

Alexander Strain is a member of the talented cast of Round House Theatre’s production of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross which has its press opening tonight. Joel: Who do you play in the show and...

See DC Metro Area Reviews in ‘OTHER REVIEWS’ – Click on the Menu Bar

Want to see what other reviewers/critics in town have to say about the shows that are playing in professional, community, children’s, and university theatres? Click on OTHER REVIEWS. Check back during...

Venus Theatre Announces its 2013 Season: ‘Lucky 13: Free Your Mind (and let the girl talk.) by Deborah Randall

Lucky 13: Free You Mind (and let the girl talk.) embraces four new works by four living playwrights. The box office is OFFICIALLY open. Join us for another year of artistic adventure. And sign up now...

‘Hughie’ at Shakespeare Theatre Company by Jessica Vaughan

Shakespeare Theatre Company has a quiet hit with Eugene O’Neill’s one-act Hughie. It is a deceptively simple production about an old guy, Erie Smith (Richard Schiff) who returns to his Broadway hotel...

‘La casa de los espíritus’ (The House of Spirits) at GALA Hispanic Theatre by Veronique MacRae

“What do you know about life? Its torment, its pain…” Based on the pivotal, impassioned and ground-breaking novel by Chilean-American novelist, Isabelle Allende, La casa de los espíritus, or The House...

‘Good People’ at Arena Stage by Mark Dewey

Arena Stage Makes Good People Great The pivotal character in David Lindsay-Abaire’s new play Good People, directed at Arena Stage by Jackie Maxwell, has no lines and never comes onstage. All she does...

‘The Pirate Laureate of Port Town’ at Flying V Theatre by Jessica Vaughan

The Pirate Laureate of Port Town by one-year-old DC Company Flying V Theatre is flat out hilarious and great fun. I love the DC metro area because companies like this can thrive here and produce plays...

‘Spring Awakening’ at Olney Theatre Center by Amanda Gunther

A poignant and passionate journey from adolescence into adulthood; an electrifying musical that is touching the nation; Olney Theatre Center starts off its 75th Anniversary season with their potent...

The Lunch and Judy Show: ‘A Special Interview with Ronald Rand’ by Judy Stadt

I am the host and creator and writer and editor of The Lunch and Judy Show. For four years – every week – DCMTA’s Joel Markowitz and I have been schmoozing for 4 years about theatre in DC, Philly and...

‘9 Circles’ at Forum Theatre by Natalie McCabe

With soldiers still encountering difficult conditions, to say the least, in Afghanistan and more veterans attempting to reconcile acts committed in the intensity of war with the decorum expected at...

‘The Bubby Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin’ at StillPointe TI & Strand Theater Company by Amanda Gunther

If you’re ready to find your groove, and get your bubbly on than The Bubby Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin is the musical for you. A co-production between StillPointe Theatre Initiative and Strand...

Bill T. Jones and Anne Bogart’s ‘A Rite’ at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center by Carolyn Kelemen

Just when you think there’s nothing new under the sun, leave it to MacArthur Genius award-winner Bill T. Jones to find a new outlet for his creative talents. And a new term, “dacting,” dance and...

McLean Community Players Holding Auditions for ‘Rumors’ Tomorrow @1:30 pm & Monday @7:30 pm

MCLEAN COMMUNITY PLAYERS HOLD AUDITIONS TOMORROW AND MONDAY FOR NEIL SIMON’S RUMORS Where: McLean Community Center – 1234 Ingleside Avenue in McLean, VA TOMORROW: Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, at 1:30 p.m....

‘From Broadway With Love: A Benefit Concert for Sandy Hook’ Video Interviews and Highlights

It was a day and night I will never forget. I was so honored to be in Waterbury, CT on Monday, January 28th at From Broadway With Love: A Benefit Concert for Sandy Hook and to meet the families of the...

Filichia on Friday: ‘Two Flops Get a Second Chance’ by Peter Filichia

Here is a new article from Peter Filichia’s column on Kritzerland called ‘Filichia on Friday.‘ It’s an honor being allowed to bring Peter’s column every week to our readers on DCMTA. This week: Two...

‘The Curious Savage’ at Jewish Theatre Workshop by John Harding.

Baltimore’s Jewish Theatre Workshop kicked off its eighth season Feb. 7 with a curious choice of plays — The Curious Savage, that is. This 1950 social satire may strike some as ripe for rediscovery,...

‘The Tropic Of X’ at Single Carrot Theatre by Amanda Gunther

Picture a world where the rules are constantly changing and if you can’t keep up you slip through the cracks of society into something altogether undetermined. Polyglot America— where Latin and South...

Filichia on Friday: ‘January Leftovers and a New Brainteaser’ by Peter Filichia

Here is a new article from Peter Filichia’s column on Kritzerland called ‘Filichia on Friday.‘ It’s an honor being allowed to bring Peter’s column every week to our readers on DCMTA. This week:...

Zachary Appelman on Playing Henry V at Folger Theatre by Joel Markowitz

Zachary Appelman has audiences and critics hailing his royal performance as Henry V at Folger Theatre. He tells us how he prepared for the role and how working with Director Robert Richmond helped...

Part 1: ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ at Round House Theatre: Meet Director Mitchell Hébert by Joel Markowitz

This is the first of a series of interviews with The director and the cast of Round House Theatre’s production of Glengarry Glen Ross. Meet Director Mitchell Hébert. Joel: Why did you want to direct...

‘Moon Over Buffalo’ at Prince George’s Little Theatre by Amanda Gunther

Picture an aging theatre company whose has-been actors just won’t call it quits; a daughter desperate to break away from it all, a loony mostly deaf grandmother who just adds to the lunacy and to top...

Jason Loewith Named Artistic Director of Olney Theatre Center by Laura Assendio

I am so thrilled that Jason Loewith has accepted the Artistic Director position at Olney Theatre Center. He began his new position on February 4th. Here is the announcement from Olney Theatre Center:...

Meet the 2013 Helen Hayes Awards Nominees: Matthew R. Wilson by Cate Brewer

Cate Brewer speaks with Matthew R. Wilson, who is nominated for The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical for Faction of Fools Theatre Company’s A Commedia Christmas Carol, based...

‘The Grand Parade (of the 20th Century)’ at Arena Stage by Natalie McCabe

Take key events of the past century. Add some music by a Russian composer. Throw in television, radio, and video game transmissions and broadcasts. Frame it with Marc Chagall’s paintings, focusing on...

Robert Richmond on Directing ‘Henry V’ at Folger Theatre by Joel Markowitz

Director Robert Richmond talks about his vision for Henry V at Folger Theatre, which is receiving raves from audiences and local critics alike. Joel: Why did you want to direct this production of...

Arts Collective @HCC Announces Auditions for “Prelude to a Kiss” February 18 & 19, 2013 by Susan G. Kramer

Howard Community College’s (HCC) Arts Collective (AC) proudly announces auditions for its Spring production of Prelude to a Kiss, a romantic comedy by Craig Lucas, directed by Darius McKeiver....

‘John Denver: A Rocky Mountain High Concert’ at Strathmore by Eric Denver

It was a ‘Montgomery County High’ at The Music Center at Strathmore last night as five musicians took to the stage along with John Denver on video shared a heart-rendering evening of songs, stories,...

‘Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’ at The Kennedy Center by Carolyn Kelemen

Watching Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater perform is a spiritual experience. Beauty, power, and strength reach out from the stage to grab hold of an audience. Now, more than ever, it’s time to...

‘The Motherfucker with the Hat’ at The Studio Theatre by Sydney-Chanele Dawkins

Life is messy, and sometimes painful, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. For many, love hurts. As our experiences grow and we mature, hopefully it is learned that true love isn’t...

‘Teahouse of the August Moon’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse by Amanda Gunther

Pain makes man think. Thought makes man wise. Wisdom makes life endurable. A lesson in life well learned beautifully illustrated as Laurel Mill Playhouse presents The Teahouse of the August Moon. John...

Arts Collective@HCC Announces Auditions for “A Cabaret” on February 11 & 12, 2013 by Susan G. Kramer

Howard Community College’s Arts Collective Announces Auditions for “A Cabaret”, February 11 & 12, 2013 Howard Community College’s (HCC) Arts Collective (AC) proudly announces auditions for its Spring...

Married to the Stage: ‘Some Great News!’ by Natalie McCabe

Well, the wait is over. Or perhaps this is only the beginning. I received my first acceptance into a PhD program last week. Here is the story: I was rushing into a meeting for the show I am...

Arts Collective@HCC’s What Improv Group (W.I.G.) Performs This Friday & Saturday by Susan G. Kramer

HCC’s only improv troupe performs its final two shows this weekend – this Friday and Saturday February 8th and 9th at 8 PM at Howard Community College’s Smith Theatre, in Columbia, MD. Don’t miss...

Local Actor Michael John Casey Directs Two Shows at ‘Arts on the Horizon’ by Michelle Kozlak

Arts on the Horizon, the first dedicated theater for very young children in the United States, presents its world-premiere production of The Young Spectaculars and the Front Yard Adventure February 22...

‘Les Miserables – the Film – Revisited’ by John Harding

Watching yet another of my theater friends join the barricades over the filmed version of Les Misérables, I decided it was time for a fresh viewing. Was it really a failed take on the international...

‘Robin Hood’ at Elden Street Players’ Theatre for Young Audiences by Julia L. Exline

Elden Street Players’ Theatre for Young Audiences presents Robin Hood, a childhood favorite about a lively outlaw and his gang of followers, whose life of adventure and merriment is threatened by the...

‘Anime Momotaro’ at Imagination Stage by Julia L. Exline

Imagination Stage presents Anime Momotaro, adapted from the traditional Japanese folktale by Alvin Chan, Eric Johnson, and Honolulu Theatre for Youth, and directed by Eric Johnson. While the tale is...

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ at Opera AACC (Anne Arundel Community College) by Andrew L. Baughman

The last local production of Jesus Christ Superstar I attended was Open Circle Theatre Company’s acclaimed 2004 production. It boasted a brilliantly original concept and some of the region’s most...

‘Kafka on the Shore’ at Spooky Action Theater by Erica Laxson

Spooky Action Theater has wrapped their creative story telling capabilities around Haruki Murakami’s mysterious, dream weaving story Kafka On The Shore. Adapted by Frank Galati and wonderfully...

Nibbles And Sips Around Town: ‘What’s New And What’s Happening In Your Neighborhood’ by Jordan Wright

It’s been a whirlwind of deliciousness since my last column. Umpteen restaurants have opened in the Metro area, most notably Ambar with its authentic Serbian chefs in a modern setting housed in an old...

Interview With Filmmaker Wayne Shipley on ‘Day of the Gun’ by Teresa McCormick Ertel

Interview with Wayne Shipley Using his family’s farm to shoot most of the film, Wayne Shipley and One Eyed Horse Productions recreates the old West circa 1895 in Jessup, Maryland, to bring forth a new...

‘Out of Order’ at The Arlington Players by Julia L. Exline

The Arlington Players presents Ray Cooney’s Out Of Order, an outlandish, fast-paced British farce. Malcolm Edwards directs this madcap production, with so many twists, turns, and roundabouts that they...

‘Next to Normal’ at Kensington Arts Theatre by Amanda Gunther

Musical brilliance comes to Kensington Arts Theatre as they present the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical Next To Normal (N2N). Directed by Craig Pettinati, N2N has a breathtakingly...

‘Italian American Reconciliation’ at 1st Stage by Colleen Sproull

On a snowy night, I longed to stay inside and hibernate, but I braved the bad drivers and salt trucks to trek to 1st Stage for John Patrick Shanley’s Italian American Reconciliation. I’m so glad I...

‘The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour 55th Anniversary Celebration’ at The Kennedy Center by Mike Spain

The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour 55th Anniversary Celebration concert at The Kennedy Center Friday night brought together six talented jazz musicians and an overabundance of pure joy and fun. If the...