2015

A DiSalvo ‘Tuna Christmas’: Thomas, Dillon, and Frank on Parlor Room Theater’s ‘A Tuna Christmas’ Playing 12/17-20

It’s an all-family affair at Parlor Room Theater‘s A Tuna Christmas and Thomas, Dillon, and Frank DiSalvo, Jr. tell us all about it. Joel: This production of A Tuna Christmas is has several family...

‘The Nutcracker’ at Metropolitan Ballet Theatre

As a fan of dance and ballet, I have seen a number of professional productions of The Nutcracker over the years, but this particular performance by the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre is going to stick...

Discovery Artist in the KC Jazz Club: Fresh Cut Orchestra

On December 12th, 2015, The Kennedy Center Jazz Club showcased a ten-piece jazz ensemble from Philadelphia: the Fresh Cut Orchestra. The show, located in a private room in the Terrace Gallery, brought...

‘Year of the Rooster’ at Single Carrot Theatre

For those of you with a penchant for theatre about cockfighting, ‘tis the season indeed for plays on the subject in our fair city of Baltimore. As Fells Point Corner Theater is closing its very fine...

‘The Gospel of Lovingkindness’ at Mosaic Theater Company of DC

There is a shibboleth shared by liberals and conservatives alike that when a young black man shoots to death another young black man in the inner city, the fault lies in themselves. Something about...

The Washington Chorus’ ‘A Candlelight Christmas’ at The Kennedy Center

No stranger to world-class performances, the Concert Hall of The John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts makes itself home to an annual musical favorite this month, The Washington Chorus’...

‘The Nutcracker’ at Ballet Theatre of Maryland at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts

A sure sign the holiday season is in full swing is the annual return of classic ballet, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. It is almost as iconic as Santa Claus, a Christmas tree and catching the final...

‘Wish List’ at The Hub Theatre

The Hub Theatre has one of the most intimate spaces I have seen for professional theater in the Metro area. The collaborators who created this show have built a very informal, welcoming environment...

‘How to Catch a Leprechaun’ at The Keegan Theatre

This being a show meant for kids, I defer to a critical opinion I overheard right afterward, voiced by a child not yet 5: “That was really cool! Really funny too!” Coauthored by Mario Baldessari and...

In the Moment: A Look at Synetic Theater’s ‘As You Like It’

Synetic Theater continues to winningly upend The Bard’s canon with its 12th production in the speechless, though far from silent, series that had its start in 2002 with Hamlet…the rest is silence....

‘It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play’ at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, PA

As far as enchanting holiday entertainment is considered, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Bucks County Playhouse may just be the warm mug of cocoa you’re looking for this time of year. A...

‘Hansel and Gretel’ by the Washington National Opera at The Kennedy Center

Once upon a time, dozens of children streamed into the elegant Terrace Theater at The Kennedy Center, all of them paragons of excitement and curiosity. Were these holiday tots rushing in to see the...

‘American Festival Pops Orchestra: Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season’ at GMU’s Center for the Arts

On December 12, 2015, American Festival Pops Orchestra presented Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts’ concert hall. Founder and Artistic Director Anthony...

Filichia on Friday: ‘It’s the Most Ticket Scarce Time of the Year’

It’s an honor to bring Peter Filichia’s column every week on Kritzerland called ‘Filichia on Friday’ to our readers on DCMetroTheaterArts. This Week: ‘It’s the Most Ticket Scarce Time of the Year’...

‘Hansel and Gretel’ at Quintessence Theatre Group in Philadelphia, PA

While all of us are familiar with the story of the two siblings wandering into a witch’s candy house in the woods, Quintessence puts a fun spin on the story. With catchy songs, fun characters, and...

‘As You Like It’ at Synetic Theater

Synetic Theater’s As You Like It is what W.H. Auden called an “inverted pastoral”—the outlaw theme of Shakespeare’s play is enhanced by the transformation of the Forest of Arden into a dystopian urban...

‘Diner: The Musical’ at Delaware Theatre Company

In a Grease meets Jersey Boys coming of age story, Diner: The Musical has a something for everyone. Following a group of friends living in Baltimore, December 1959, the gang confronts spurring...

‘Snow White and the Family Dwarf’ at Providence Players of Fairfax

Heartwarming, hilarious, and fun, reminiscent in tone to It’s a Wonderful Life, and similar in its moral purpose, Snow White and the Family Dwarf makes an uplifting holiday entertainment. It’s a sweet...

‘Outside Mullingar’ at Everyman Theatre

There was a festive atmosphere at Everyman Theatre last night. Irish music played as the audience arrived for the Baltimore/DC Metro premiere of Outside Mullingar. The music alone could lift your...

China National Traditional Orchestra’s ‘Rediscover Chinese Music’ at The Kennedy Center

Having just returned from China—where one of the highlights of the trip was hearing traditional music performed casually in teahouses and parks—I was curious to see how these simple melodies would...

‘Peter Rabbit’ at Red Branch Theatre Company

The world premiere of the new musical Peter Rabbit at Red Branch Theatre Company in Columbia finally puts to rest one of life’s great riddles: Why are bunny tails so short? Answer: To keep tiny young...

‘Michael Feinstein: Sinatra Centennial with Big Band’ at Strathmore

Michael Feinstein is as warm, relaxed, and personable a musician as you’ll ever find. Last night, he worked every seat in the big house, making sure the folks in the nosebleed balconies in back felt...

‘Seasonal Disorder’ at Washington Improv Theater

‘Tis the season for jolly laughter, and if you like humor that’s loopy, irreverent, quick-witted, and fresh, you’ll fit right in at Washington Improv Theater’s annual Seasonal Disorder. It’s all made...

WAPAVA Offers Free Showing of Olney’s Smash Hit “Colossal’ on Monday 12/14@7:30 PM @The Clarice at U of MD in College Park;Panel DIscussion Follows by Karen Shod

Fellow theatre-football-dance enthusiasts — Exciting one-night-only opportunity: This Monday, December 14th @ 7:30 at UMD, WAPAVA inaugurates a new “movie night” series with a FREE showing of its...

‘Behind the Music: Holiday Edition’ at Act II Playhouse in Ambler, PA

Sonny Leo and April Woodall create a fun evening full of historical anecdotes, personal traditions, and holiday classics that are just as likely to melt your heart and make you laugh. Matt Silva boots...

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ at Castaways Youth Theatre

Castaways Youth Theatre presents It’s A Wonderful Life, Doug Rand’s fast-paced stage adaptation of the holiday classic. Julie Little directs a large cast of local youths in this production, and while...

‘Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)’ at Silver Spring Stage

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some) Brings on the Joy at Silver Spring Stage Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some) got its start in 2003 when Michael Carleton, James Fitzgerald,...

‘School of Rock-The Musical’ at The Winter Garden Theatre in New York City

Full disclosure: I am not a rock ‘n roller, and think its music has little to offer what we’ve come to know as “musical theater.” Before you start cursing me out as an old codger let me tell you that...

‘A Christmas Carol’ at McCarter Theatre Center

As McCarter Theatre’s A Christmas Carol opens, the streets of London are bustling. Snow is falling lightly, and good will is in the air. A group of carolers gathers around a brightly decorated...

Now Playing: Providence Players Opens a Family Friendly Comic Twist on A Classic Tale: ‘Snow White and the Family Dwarf’ To Benefit The Young Hearts Foundation

Providence Players opens a Family Friendly Comic Twist on A Classic Tale: Snow White and the Family Dwarf This weekend through the 20th of December, the Providence Players will be presenting a cheeky...

BSO: ‘Tis the Season with Brian Stokes Mitchell’ at Strathmore

The Music Center at Strathmore was filled with the holiday spirit as the Tony Award-winning Broadway superstar Brian Stokes Mitchell joined Conductor Damon Gupton and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra...

‘Andréa Burns is On Her Feet!’: A Chat at The Marquis Theatre With Richard Seff

Andréa Burns. Note the accent over the e in the lady’s name. That puts the emphasis on its second syllable and indicates something latina in her background. And sure enough her mother Leda is a...

‘China Doll’ at The Gerald Schoenfeld Theater in New York City

In 1955, Johnny Mercer published these opening lines to a hit song of his: “When an irresistible force such as you meets an immovable object like me, something’s gotta give.” These words kept flashing...

NSO Pops: ‘The von Trapps and Stephanie J. Block Family Holiday’ at The Kennedy Center

With their annual holiday concert at The Kennedy Center on Thursday, December 10, 2016, the NSO Pops, joined by special guests Stephanie J. Block and The von Trapps, as well as the Washington Chorus,...

‘Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind’ by the Neo-Futurist at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

I’m blind. No, actually, during a merciless chanting of “God, God, God, God, God…” in a piece entitled “Two Minutes of Organized Religion,” I put my head between my legs and held a silent scream while...

Scene Stealers/Showstoppers of the Week-December 10, 2015

Congrats to our new Scene Stealer/Showstoppers honorees. ______ Sandy Bainum, as Mame, Singing “If He Walked Into My Life’ in Mame at Riverside Center Dinner Theater “The cast here is stellar, with...

McLean Community Players Announces Creative Team and Cast for ‘1776’

The McLean Community Players’ production of the musical 1776, based on the events surrounding the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence, opens Friday, February 5, 2016, and runs...

Filichia on Friday: ‘Steven Gross Has 7,655 Songs For You’

It’s an honor to bring Peter Filichia’s column every week on Kritzerland called ‘Filichia on Friday’ to our readers on DCMetroTheaterArts. This Week: Steven Gross Has 7,655 Songs For You Purchase...

‘The Sound of Music’ at The Hippodrome Theatre at The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center

The Sound of Music strikes a slightly different tone but its hills are still full of life in the new national touring show at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre. Season ticket-holders should brace...

‘A Christmas Cactus’ at Off the Quill by Meredith DeFalco

I recently had the pleasure of seeing the funny, charming, and at times heartwarming show, A Christmas Cactus, performed beautifully at the Greenbelt Arts Center by Off the Quill. Walking into the...

The Philadelphia Orchestra Presented by Washington Performing Arts at Strathmore

Composers wrote great ballet and opera music for two reasons. The first was to help dancers and singers to portray characters and tell their stories. The second was to have the music led in the 21st...

‘As You Like It’ at Lumina Studio Theatre

What’s in a name? Taking the title of Shakespeare’s character-rich, eminently quotable pastoral comedy literally, is rare—and has rarely been done with the gender-bending, genre-mashing, gleefully...

Act Two at Levine Students Perform Excerpts From ‘American Idiot’ for Broadway Performer Tony Vincent

Musician and Broadway actor Tony Vincent visited the students of Act Two at Levine’s Pre-Professional Program for a master class on their upcoming production of American Idiot that will run from...

Arts Collective’s “What Improv Group?!?!” (W.I.G.) Presents ‘It’s a Wonderful W.I.G.!’ This Friday, 12/11@7:30 PM

HCC’s Arts Collective Improv Group presents Holiday Improv Fun for Everyone THIS Friday, December 11, 2015 at 7:30 PM Arts Collective’s “What Improv Group?!?!” (W.I.G.) presents It’s a Wonderful...

‘Danú: A Christmas Gathering – Féile Na Nollag’ at GMU’s Center for The Arts

“How do you dance a jig in a concert hall?” I wondered going in to the Danú Concert at George Mason’s Center for the Performing Arts on December 6th. Danú is a top-notch Irish traditional music band,...

‘Mame’ at Riverside Center Dinner Theater

Riverside Center Dinner Theater presents Mame, the musical sensation based on the novel by Patrick Dennis and the play Auntie Mame, by Lawrence and Lee. With the book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E....

‘Stage Kiss’ at Round House Theatre (Review #2)

The line between art and life become colorfully blurred when two actors are unexpectedly reunited in Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award nominee Sarah Ruhl’s romantic backstage comedy Stage Kiss, which made...

‘Christmas Belles’ at Bowie Community Theatre

If you are looking for a show to get you in the Christmas mood but simply can’t face one more version of A Christmas Carol, Bowie Community Theatre invites y’all to come to the small town of Fayro,...

Brave Collective Soul Collective’s 9th Anniversary’s ‘More Plot Twists.’

“We are all one. We are of the human race.” I hear and read this statement all the time, especially when we see and hear news reports of people being treated unfairly (discriminated against) or killed...

‘A Year with Frog and Toad’ at Imagination Stage

Arnold Lobel’s lovable characters from his classic children’s books, Frog and Toad, come to life at Imagination Stage in a Tony Award-nominated musical, A Year with Frog and Toad, with books and...