2015

‘George is Dead’ at The Klunch (Review #2)

Elaine May’s George is Dead is a brutally funny, wincingly and wickedly unsympathetic depiction of life among the social classes in our Late Capitalist era, and could equally well have been titled...

‘A Very Pointless Holiday Spectacular’ at Pointless Theatre Company

I don’t usually go in for all of that holiday crap. If you ask me, ’tis the season for saccharine platitudes and interminable carols that all serve to mask the consumerist orgy that is the month of...

‘Stage Kiss’ at Round House Theatre

Plays about playmaking have an enduring appeal. Think Noises Off, Six Characters in Search of an Author. Shows about shows on the musical stage have indelible charm. Think Chorus Line, Kiss Me Kate....

‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ at Sandy Spring Theatre Group and The City of Gaithersburg at The Arts Barn

This week marks the 50th anniversary of the debut of the American classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson. That is right – Charlie, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy, and the gang have...

‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ at the Washington County Playhouse

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson, presented at the Washington County Playhouse, is a ‘must-see’ for the whole family this holiday season. This hilarious production, lovingly adapted...

‘Tribute to Dmitri Shostakovich’ at the Russian Chamber Art Society

The thematic music of Dmitri Shostakovich echoed the halls of the Embassy of Austria from the multi-talented artists of the Russian Chamber Art Society. Seven classically trained musicians and...

‘Seussical the Musical’ at NextStop Theatre Company

NextStop Theatre Company presents Seussical the Musical, based on the beloved works of Dr. Seuss and co-conceived by Eric Idle, Stephen Flaherty (music and book), and Lynn Ahrens (lyrics and book)....

Calmus at The Barns at Wolf Trap

I had the pleasure of hearing the entrancing a capella vocals of the German quintet, Calmus, at the Barns of Wolf Trap last night. Anja Poche, soprano, Sebastian Krause, countertenor, Tobias Poche,...

‘Madeline and the Gypsies’ at Creative Cauldron

Creative Cauldron has a reputation for their, well, creativity. And their most recent production of Madeline and the Gypsies shows yet again their ability to take a simple story and turn it into a...

‘A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas’ at Olney Theatre Center

This December, the Olney Theatre Center is ushering in the holiday season with Paul Morella’s A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas. There’s hardly a Christmas story better known than A...

‘Bad Jews’ at The Studio Theatre

When I first saw Joshua Harmon’s brilliant play Bad Jews at The Studio Theatre about this time last year, I could not contain my enthusiasm. I praised it to the skies: Bad Jews is so over-the-top...

Fantasia at ‘An Elegant Evening of Giving’ at Strathmore

Queen of Rock Soul and American Idol winner, Fantasia brought the house down at An Elegant Evening of Giving benefit concert presented by Talking Hands Incorporated at the Music Center at Strathmore...

‘The Christmas Revels: A Medieval Celebration of the Winter Solstice in Music, Dance, and Drama’

A melody of memories whirled through my seat during The Christmas Revels, a collaboration of artistic ventures through A Medieval Celebration of the Winter Solstice in Music, Dance and Drama. Directed...

‘Clever Little Lies’ at The Westside Theatre in New York City

Author Joe DiPietro has delivered a cozy little play that sits comfortably somewhere between situation comedy and family drama. It starts in a tennis club locker room as a brisk and brittle comedy in...

‘The Nutcracker’ at The Washington Ballet at The Warner Theatre

Resplendent visions of sugarplums danced both on the Warner Theatre stage and in the heads of hundreds of hardy multi-generational audience members Friday evening when the Washington Ballet...

‘ReWrapped’ at the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC

The annual Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW) holiday concert entitled ReWrapped was a lively holiday treat that combined cutting-edge musical arrangements with a light, breezy, and...

‘It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play’ at Annapolis Shakespeare Company

Annapolis Shakespeare Company (ASC) presents It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play by Joe Landay that will delight audiences of all ages. A play-within-a-play, Annapolis Shakespeare Company rolls...

‘George is Dead’ at The Klunch

The Klunch, a newly formed theater company launched by Ian Allen, former artistic director of Cherry Red Productions, inaugurated its first season with the DC premiere of George is Dead, a mordantly...

‘Bastian & Bastiana’ at The In Series

Bastian & Bastiana is the In Series’ answer to the usual annual holiday traditions — a charming, little opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, written when he was only 12 years-old. Artistic Director Carla...

Meet the Cast of ‘George is Dead’ at The Klunch: Part 3: Kerri Rambow

In Part 3 of a series of interviews with the cast of George is Dead, meet Kerri Rambow: Joel: Please tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on our local stages? Kerri Rambow: I am a...

‘A Christmas Carol’ at The Little Theatre of Alexandria

I don’t think I know one person who doesn’t know A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Last night, I attended The Little Theater of Alexandria’s visually stunning and entertaining production. Directed...

‘The Zoo Story’ and ‘Pullman, WA’ at CCBC Academic Theatres

As the fall semester comes to a close, the theater department at CCBC Essex has taken a turn for the absurd. Julie Lewis directs the double feature of Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story and Young Jean Lee’s...

‘The Gifts of the Magi’ at Maryland Ensemble Theatre

O. Henry’s short story, The Gift of the Magi, has been the stuff of Christmas memories for over a century. The Mark St. Germain and Randy Courts-penned musical version of The Gifts of the Magi,...

‘An Acoustic Evening with Over the Rhine’ at The Barns at Wolf Trap

An Acoustic Evening with Over the Rhine is the equivalent of a big, warm musical hug. Everything, from their chords to their consonants, was soft and rounded with nothing even resembling a pointed...

‘Glory Us’ by Rabble Crew at The Fridge

Conceptual Art: “the notion that the essence of art is an idea, or concept, and may exist distinct from and in the absence of an object as its representation.” Conceptual Theatre: Glory Us, a new play...

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ at Toby’s Dinner Theatre

It is normally difficult to translate classic Christmas movies to the stage because comparisons with the beloved films are inevitable. However, It’s A Wonderful Life at Toby’s Dinner Theatre is truly...

‘Declassified: In Motion featuring Ben Folds’ by The National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center

The National Symphony Orchestra/The Kennedy Center Declassified series, launched on Saturday with its performance of In Motion featuring Ben Folds, is a bold initiative to counter the fundamental...

‘A Christmas Carol’ at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company

Have yourselves a very merry Christmas – go see this timeless classic with a Charm City twist. Bring the family to this show! Kids of all ages will love it. Instead of watching the Mister Magoo...

‘The Bald Soprano’ at Curio Theatre Company in Philadelphia

After a somber Handmaid’s Tale, Curio Theatre Company sure changes directions with Eugene Ionesco’s hilariously absurd The Bald Soprano. Director Charlotte Northeast updates this 1950’s English comedy...

‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ at Laurel Mill Playhouse

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever rings in the holidays at Laurel Mill Playhouse In this busy season of shopping, baking and parties, it’s nice to take some time with our families to be gently reminded...

Scene Stealers/Showstoppers of the Week-Part 2: December 2, 2015

Here’s Part Two of this week’s Scene Stealers/Showstoppers honorees, from productions that played during this Fall season. Read Part One Here. ______ Shayna Blass, as Piggie, Joe Mallon, as Gerald the...

‘Total Verruckt!’ at Baltimore Theatre Project

I have to admit I had extremely high expectations when I went to last night’s opening of Total Verruckt!, the one-woman show currently – briefly – playing at Baltimore Theatre Project. I always try to...

Reading of ‘Noura’ at Georgetown University’s Myriad Voices: A Cross-Cultural Performance Festival

On my explorations into the local universe of university theater, I’ve sighted some terrific stuff. Most of it I’ve written about for DCMetroTheaterArts (see links to my recent faves below). But if I...

‘Baskerville – A Sherlock Holmes Mystery’ at Philadelphia Theatre Company

If there’s one thing the recent spate of cinematic and televised incarnations of Sherlock Holmes has proven, it’s that after more than a century, the appeal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s celebrated...

Washington National Opera: American Opera Initiative: Three 20-Minute Operas

The fourth annual American Opera Initiative launched this month to sold out performances of three new works. It was a heartening look at the future of the art form – from the librettists and composers...

‘Motown the Musical’ at The National Theatre

Music! Sweet, sweet music. There is music everywhere… While it is town, you should make plans to see Motown the Musical. Plan on a night dancing in your seat to the music you have enjoyed for decades....

‘The Santaland Diaries’ at Logan Fringe Arts Space

I am a huge David Sedaris fan. I love the way he writes, his odd, memorable diction and nasal tenor when he speaks, and especially his jangly, snarky tone that seems to take everything and nothing...

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

HCC’s Arts Collective Improv Group presents Holiday Improv Fun for Everyone on Friday, December 11, 2015 Arts Collective’s “What Improv Group?!?!” (W.I.G.) presents It’s a Wonderful W.I.G.! A...

‘An Acoustic Evening with Eric Hutchinson’ at The Barns at Wolf Trap with Anya Marina

Last night, American singer/songwriter Eric Hutchinson performed live at The Barns at Wolf Trap, a beautifully rustic venue that I’ve come to love. In fact, I’ll admit I was not too familiar with...

‘This Is The Week That Is’ at 1812 Productions in Philadelphia

1812 Productions consistently brings Philadelphia great comedy year after year. This Is The Week That Is is no exception with current events changing daily showcased in a sketch comedy meets satirical...

5 Scene Stealers/Showstoppers of the Week-Part 1: December 2, 2015

As we are about to reveal our Best of 2015 honorees, we are introducing our 5 Scene Stealers/Showstoppers of the Week which will appear on Thursdays every week. Here’s Part 1 of this week’s honorees....

Meet the Cast of ‘George is Dead’ at The Klunch: Part 2: Fiona Blackshaw

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the cast of George is Dead, meet Fiona Blackshaw. Joel: Please tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on our local stages? Fiona: I’ve been a...

Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘Holiday Memories’ Part 5: Devon Ross

In Part 5 of a series of five interviews with the cast of WSC Avant Bard’s production of Holiday Memories—a stage adaptation of two classic short stories by Truman Capote, “A Christmas Memory” and...

Art and Survival: A Conversation with Joanna Caplan, Creator and Performer of ‘Total Verruckt!’

Total Verruckt! presents the real-life story of members of the Camp Westerbork Theatre Group, an unlikely troupe that was formed at the Westerbork Transit Camp – a Nazi transport and detention center...

‘Billy L’Amour: Gentlemen Prefer Billy: An Evening of Burlesque and Music’ at Rainbow Theatre Project

The whirlwind of an accomplished entertainer who goes by the name of Billy L’Amour is more than just a drag entertainer but, rather, L’Amour is a powerhouse triple-threat talent who can deliver the...

‘Black Nativity’ at Theater Alliance

If it is true that theater originated as worship and ritual—as a healing form of human communion with sacred mystery—then that history is surely raising the rafters of the Anacostia Playhouse these...

‘Holiday Memories’ at WSC Avant Bard

“Imagine a morning in late November. A coming of winter morning” are the opening mood-setting words in the resplendent, gentle WSC Avant Bard production of Holiday Memories by Truman Capote. As...

Reversed Elf: Joe Brack Directs Matty Griffiths in ‘The Santaland Diaries’ Opening Tomorrow 12/2 @8PM at Capital Fringe’s Logan Arts Space Through 12/24

Since 2008 Matty Griffiths and Joe Brack have taken on David Sedaris’ delicious script for The Santaland Diaries four times. Each year they explored the rich, true-to-life text to find a fresh take on...

Meet the Cast of ‘George is Dead’ at The Klunch: Part 1: John Tweel

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the cast of George is Dead at The Klunch, meet John Tweel. Joel: Please tell our readers where they may have seen you perform on our local stages? John: I’ve...

Silver Spring Stage Presents ‘Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)’ December 11-20th by Michael Kharfen

Silver Spring Stage presents Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some) by Michael Carleton, James Fitzgerald, and John K. Alvarez, directed by Susan Brall and produced by Jim Robertson, a...