2014

Act Two @ Levine Presents Sondheim’s ‘Sweeney Todd’ Tomorrow through Sunday at Georgetown Prep

Act Two @ Levine is proud to present: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Attend this dark and witty tale of love, London, murder and revenge Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street...

Meet the Cast of The Masqueraders’ ‘Translations’ at The United States Naval Academy–Part 5: Ward Ellis Scott, III

This is the fifth in a series of interviews with the cast of The Masqueraders’ production of Translations. Meet Ward Ellis Scott, III. Joel: Introduce yourself to our readers and tell them what other...

Meet the Cast of The Masqueraders’ ‘Translations’ at The United States Naval Academy–Part 4: Portia Norkaitis

This is the fourth in a series of interviews with the cast of The Masqueraders production of Translations. Meet Portia Norkaitis. Joel: Introduce yourself to our readers and tell them what other shows...

‘Dial “M” for Murder’ at the Greenspring Players

It’s that time of the year where the Halloween spirit becomes a major player in what the subject matter of theatrical events around town hang their hat on. What a fitting selection for Greenspring...

Meet the Cast of ‘My Fair Lady’ at Damascus Theatre Company–Part 3: Cara Bachman

In Part 3 of a series of interviews with the director and cast members of Damascus Theatre Company’s My Fair Lady, meet Cara Bachman. Joel: Introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have...

Matchmaker! Matchmaker! Meet Tevye’s 5 Daughters at Arena Stage: Part 2: Maria Rizzo

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the daughters of Tevye in Arena Stage’s Fiddler on the Roof, meet Maria Rizzo. Joel: Introduce yourself to our readers, and tell them where they may have seen...

Magic Time! Heard About the Rainbow Theatre Project? A Q&A With Artistic Director H. Lee Gable

The Rainbow Theatre Project, Metro DC’s very own LGBTQ theatre company, has just begun its second season. If that sounds intriguing but you’ve never heard of it, small wonder. As H. Lee Gable,...

Spine: What Happens when Porno, Isabella Rossellini, and Bio-Diversity Collide? Who Can Say “STEAM”? Who Can Say Green Porno Live?

To be sure, some of Lisner’s audience came for the sex–explicit, diverse, and environmentally conscious. Some came for the celebrity–a noted model and film actress (Blue Velvet) with a legendary...

‘Handbag’ at Scena Theatre

In the past week, I’ve had the mixed blessing of seeing some very good shows that put the very bad side of human nature on gruesome display. The characters in Scena’s Handbag, a daring pitch black...

In the Moment: Hub Theatre’s 2014-2015 Season Announced: Interviews with Helen Pafumi, Matt Bassett, & Kristen LePine

The Hub Theatre recently announced its full 2014-15 season. The season includes several mainstage productions and the annual Hub Playfest, along with developmental play readings. There will also be...

‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ at Encore Stage & Studio

Encore Stage & Studio presents The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, based on the classic ghost story by Washington Irving and stage-adapted for a younger audience by Vera Morris. Director Susan Alison Keady...

Pianist Thomas Pandolfi’s ‘One Singular Night’ at the Todd Performing Arts Center

Standing alone on the stage of the Eastern Shore home of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, pianist Thomas Pandolfi joked that no orchestra was magically going to materialize before the audience’s...

The Ying Quartet at the Kreeger Museum

No type of ensemble works harder these days than string quartets to make classical music “cool” and relevant. From hip, funky websites to innovative performances in unusual spaces, string quartets –...

‘Touch’ at The Montgomery Playhouse

Written in 1999, the play Touch by award-winning playwright Toni Press-Coffman, is sure to tug at the heartstrings of any who watch. The earnest drama about a young scientist and the death of his...

‘Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe’ at Molotov Theatre Group

Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe is an adaptation of four of Poe’s better known tales of horror: The Raven, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Pit and the Pendulum, and The Tell-Tale Heart. Playwright...

‘Bad Jews’ at The Studio Theatre

Bad Jews beggars genre naming. “Comedy of ideas” doesn’t hold a Shabbat candle to it. Bad Jews is so over-the-top funny, so razor-sharp smart, and so plumb-the-depths profound that it left me...

‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses’ at Anne Arundel Community College

The plot of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, by Christopher Hampton, makes those old TV soap operas, Peyton Place and Dynasty look like child’s play. The main characters are corrupt, malicious and cruel....

‘Urinetown: The Musical’ at Heritage Players

Urinetown: The Musical satirically and hilariously poses the question: what would it be like if water supplies became so scarce that people, including the poor, had to a pay a fee to pee? All bets are...

‘Green Porno Live on Stage’ With Isabella Rossellini at Lisner Auditorium

Green Porno. Now that’s a show title to bring interest. Add that it was adapted from a well-viewed Web series aired on the Sundance Channel and your reviewer wondered how it would be accomplished live...

‘Virus Attacks Heart’ at Venus Theatre Company

Virus Attacks Heart, a new play by Australian playwright Shannon Murdoch, is a romance for people who don’t do romances. It’s a horror story of a relationship that makes you ache for an intimacy as...

‘Roald Dahl’s ‘Willy Wonka’ at Reistertown Theatre Project

“Who can take a sunrise? Sprinkle it in dew; Cover it in chocolate and a miracle or two? The candy man can…’cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good.” And that is what Willy Wonka...

‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at West Potomac High School

Beyond The Page Theatre Company of West Potomac High School presents the audience favorite musical Little Shop of Horrors, with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. With a trophy...

‘Death by Design’ at Greenbelt Arts Center

The appreciative audience at the Greenbelt Arts Center tonight found themselves transported to a 1930’s English manor house, complete with dead body and amateur detective! It was their adept...

‘Death Takes a Holiday’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse

Directed by Mark T. Allen and produced by Maureen Rogers, Death Takes a Holiday follows the fate of a group of aristocrats at the mansion of Duke Lambert, played by Larry Simmons. We hear that death...

‘Collidescope: Adventures in Pre-and Post-Racial America’ at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

On the eve of a grand jury’s decision on the killing of Ferguson’s Michael Brown, Collidescope: Adventures in Pre-and Post-Racial America is a boldly courageous indictment on the origins of racial...

‘In the Next Room’ at Port City Playhouse

Port City Playhouse’s production of Sara Ruhl’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, In the Next Room, is filled with incredible actors, a clever set, and gorgeous Victorian time period outfits (designed by...

‘Madama Butterfly’ at the Modell Performing Arts Center at The Lyric

The opera great Beverly Sills, who shared a birthday with me – and, sometimes, the same hair color, was saddened when she learned I had never attended an indoor opera. That I’d been to several “Summer...

‘A Little Business at the Big Top’ at TheaterSpace at George Mason University

Masterful! David Gaines solo performance was clever, skilled and totally engrossing. Using only his body, facial expressions and some gibberish, he transported the audience to the circus, both in the...

‘There is a Happiness that Morning Is’ at WSC Avant Bard

There is one howl of a good time at There is a Happiness that Morning Is at WSC Avant Bard. The production is a masterly feat of acting prowess full of precise, adroit comic work and squinting eye...

Nibbles And Sips Around Town – November 5, 2014: Chef Cathal Armstrong’s Cookbook, ‘My Irish Table – Recipes From the Homeland and Restaurant Eve”

Local Chef Cathal Armstrong’s Cookbook, My Irish Table – Recipes From the Homeland and Restaurant Eve, Will Warm The Cockles of Your Heart My favorite cookbooks reveal the author’s personal connection...

Meet the Cast of ‘Translations’ at The Masqueraders at The United States Naval Academy–Part 3: Megan Rausch

This is the third in a series of interviews with the cast of The Masqueraders’ production of Translations. Meet Megan Rausch. Joel: Introduce yourself to our readers and tell them what other shows you...

Spine: Hip-Hop, Flow, and ‘How We Got On’

When I think of Hip-Hop my imagination immediately flies to urban America, to a gritty, “tougher than leather” New York City filled with N.W.A, LL Cool J, and of course Public Enemy (#1). When I think...

‘Not About Nightingales’ at Howard University

Although it was written in 1938, six years before his breakthrough hit The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams’ Not About Nightingales was only produced in 1998, due to the persistence of actor...

‘Africa Umoja’ at the National Theatre

The energy of Africa Umoja virtually leapt off the stage. At times, the performer’s enthusiasm was nearly matched by the shout-outs, ululations, whistling, foot stomping, singing, arm-waving and...

‘Pen’ at Washington Stage Guild

Washington Stage Guild starts off its 29th season with a smart production of David Marshall Grant’s Pen, a curious play that is by turns provocative and perplexing. The company’s tagline, aptly, is...

DCMTA Scene Stealers-Week Ending 11/7/14

Here are our new Scene Stealers honorees. Congrats to all of you!! This week The Addams Family at Kensington Arts Theatre sets the record for most Scene Stealers from one show-5! _____ Lisa Carrier...

Matchmaker! Matchmaker! Meet Tevye’s 5 Daughters at Arena Stage: Part 1: Dorea Schmidt

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the daughters of Tevye in Arena Stage’s Fiddler on the Roof, meet Dorea Schmidt. Joel: Introduce yourself to our readers, and tell them where they may have...

Meet the Cast of ‘My Fair Lady’ at Damascus Theatre Company–Part 2: Director Stephanie Bonte-Lebair

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the director and cast members of Damascus Theatre Company’s My Fair Lady, meet Director Stephanie Bonte-Lebair. Joel: Introduce yourself and tell our readers...

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC Presents ‘Love Stinks!’ at Atlas on November 15th at 5 & 8 PM by Craig Cipollini

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC presents a funny look at the world of love and dating! We’ve all kissed a few frogs in our time – right? Join the Gay Men’s Chorus as select soloists will sing...

At Studio Theatre Keith Alan Baker Ends Tenure as Managing Director and Artistic Director of 2ndStage; Meridith Burkus Appointed New Managing Director

STUDIO THEATRE ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP CHANGE • Keith Alan Baker ends tenure as Managing Director and Artistic Director, 2ndStage • Meridith Burkus appointed new Managing Director Studio Theatre Board...

The Gewandhaus Orchestra of Leipzig at Washington Performing Arts

You have a right to be skeptical when a symphony orchestra claims to have a unique sound. Down through the centuries most composers of symphonic music have given specific directions about what...

Meet the Cast of ‘Translations’ at the Masqueraders at The United States Naval Academy–Part 2: Chris Hudson

This is the first in a series of interviews with the cast of The Masqueraders production of Translation. Meet Chris Hudson. Joel: Introduce yourself to our readers and tell them what other shows you...

The 2014 MetroCooking Show Promises To Have All The Right Ingredients by Cary Pollak

On Saturday and Sunday, November 8th and 9th the MetroCooking Show will make its ninth appearance in the nation’s capitol at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and each year it has outdone...

Meet the Cast of ‘Translations’ at Masqueraders at the United States Naval Academy–Part 1: Jonson Henry

This is the first in a series of interviews with the cast of Translations at The Masqueraders‘ production of Translation. Meet Jonson Henry. Joel: Introduce yourself to our readers and tell them what...

‘Playing Poe: The Man, the Mustache’ By Elliott Kashner

After being cast to play Edgar Allan Poe, the central figure in Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe from Molotov Theatre Group (opening tomorrow night, November 6th), I started developing my plan to become...

Meet the Cast of ‘Death By Design’ at Greenbelt Arts Center: Part 8: Meet Winard Britt

In Part 8 in a series of interviews with the cast of Death By Design at Greenbelt Arts Center, meet Winard Britt. Joel: Introduce yourself to our readers and tell them what other shows you have...

Meet the Cast of ‘Death By Design’ at Greenbelt Arts Center: Part 7: Meet Jenn Robinson

In Part 7 in a series of interviews with the cast of Death By Design at Greenbelt Arts Center, meet Jenn Robinson. Joel: Introduce yourself to our readers and tell them what other shows you have...

Spine: ‘Julius Caesar, “et tu Brute?” and You’

Shakespeare, the humanist; Shakespeare, the poet; Shakespeare, the political playwright; Shakespeare, the fatalist. Before he passed away, my 87-year-old father used to quiz members of the younger...

‘As You Like It’ at the Shakespeare Theatre Company

As You Like It is a celebration of love; love as we hope it will be, love as it often is, and love as a harbinger of growth and redemption. The Shakespeare Theatre’s As You Like It is a veritable...

In the Moment: “Julius Caesar’ at Folger Theatre

Let’s be provocative in this column. Let’s imagine a world where the debates within Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar are not between ambitious political people like Brutus, Mark Anthony, Cassius, and...