2015

Meet Soloist Paul Negron of The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s ‘The S Show’ Playing This Saturday at 5 & 8 PM at Atlas

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the soloists of this Saturday’s The S* Show: Sinatra, Sondheim, and Streisand? performed by The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC Meet Paul Negron. Joel:...

‘The Unexpected Guest’ at the Greenspring Players

As one of the early arrivals to the Village Theater complex last night, I watched as the many residents of the Greenspring retirement community entered the venue for the first of four performances of...

Meet Soloist JJ Vera of The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s ‘The ‘S Show’ Playing This Saturday at 5 & 8 PM at Atlas

In Part 1 of a series of interviews with the soloists of this Saturday’s The S* Show: Sinatra, Sondheim, and Streisand? performed by The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC Meet JJ Vera. Joel: Please...

Spine: Studio Theatre’s Apple Family Cycle, ‘Sorry’ and “Us”

One of the most frequently read quotes about Richard Nelson’s four play Apple Family Cycle comes from Ben Brantley’s article, “One Man, 10 Shows, Guvnor.” (Dec. 13, 2013, New York Times.) Speaking of...

‘Mame’ with Sandy Bainum, Sally Struthers, and Kathy Halenda Opens on Sunday, November 15th at Riverside Center Dinner Theater

The Riverside Center Dinner Theater in Fredericksburg, VA announces the opening of the Broadway classic Mame starring Sandy Bainum and featuring Sally Struthers, at the Riverside Center for the...

Meet the Cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s ‘Sweeney Todd’: Part 9: Sophia Nasreen Riazi-Sekowski

In Part 9 of a series of interviews with the director and cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s Sweeney Todd meet Sophia Nasreen Riazi-Sekowski. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where...

Meet the Cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s ‘Sweeney Todd’: Part 8: Andrew Exner

In Part 8 of a series of interviews with the director and cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s Sweeney Todd meet Andrew Exner. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen...

‘Lights Rise on Grace’ at Azuka Theatre in Philadelphia

Lights Rise on Grace is a play that has a lot to say about race, sexuality and secrecy, but says it sparingly. Chad Beckim’s play depicts three characters who reveal a lot to the audience in speeches...

Wanda Sykes at The Warner Theatre

Four-time Emmy award-winning comedian, actor, writer, producer and DC-area native Wanda Sykes returned to The Warner Theatre last weekend with her signature sarcastic and straight-to-the-point comedy,...

‘Flamenco Men 2’ at GALA Hispanic Theatre

It is said that there are four elements of flamenco: Cante, or voice; Baile, or dance; Toque, or guitar, and; Jaleo – audience participation. All were in full force at GALA Hispanic Theatre’s...

‘Hansel & Gretel’ at Encore Stage & Studio

Encore Stage & Studio presents Hansel & Gretel, an adapted version of the classic story by The Brothers Grimm, with original music composed by Matthew Heap. Vera Morris’ gentler revision of this story...

‘Brigadoon’ at Compass Rose Theater

By the glow of a single light, nestled under the stairs on stage, pianist Eric Clark plays the overture of Compass Rose Theater’s latest production, Brigadoon. Add in bagpipes played by Christian...

Magic Time! ‘Gender-Flipping the Bard: A Q&A with Brave Spirits Theatre’s Kevin Finkelstein’

Back in December 2014 I had a conversation with the Director Kevin Finkelstein that has stayed with me. I had just seen his staging of A Klingon Christmas Carol, a one-night-only seasonal novelty...

‘Titus Andronicus’ at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company

“We are all undone!” a character hysterically cries halfway through Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s production of Titus Andronicus. Well, thanks for stating the obvious. You would had to have been...

‘The Taming of the Shrew’ at Baltimore Shakespeare Factory

Baltimore Shakespeare Factory’s production of The Taming of the Shrew is a delightful romp of quick-witted dialog and rollicking physical comedy. With their commitment to presenting Shakespeare’s work...

‘Tartuffe’ at The University of Maryland School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies at The Clarice

“Charges which you now repudiate you may find credible at a later date.” No, this isn’t a comment on the 2016 presidential candidates – it’s a smirky statement by Tartuffe, the titular character in...

‘Regular Singing’ in Repertory with ‘Sorry’ at Studio Theatre

Regular Singing, the 4th play in Richard Nelson’s Apple Family Cycle and now playing in repertory with Sorry (the 3rd play) at Studio Theatre, is a 2-hour dirge, a threnody if you will, with much...

The Apple Family Cycle: ‘Sorry’ at The Studio Theatre

You know that feeling you get when you go to something—you attend it as a visitor or you drop in as an interloper—and by the time that something ends, you feel as if you belonged to it? Well, there’s...

A Talk with Michael Riedel on His Book ‘Razzle Dazzle’ by Richard Seff

Michael Riedel, the theatre columnist for the New York Post and the co-host of the long running PBS show Theater Talk, sat with me for an hour on November 2nd, to discuss his valuable and readable new...

David London’s ‘Magic Outside the Box Cabaret Show’ at The Writer’s Center on Fri & Sat 11/13 & 14th

So, how many magic shows have you been to in your life? You know, the ones that use coded words like “Abracadabra” while the magician swings around a wand decked out in a black tux and bow tie and a...

‘Watership Down’ at Simpatico Theatre Project and Drexel University’s Mandell Professionals in Resident Project (MPiRP) in Philadelphia

Watership Down, adapted by John Hildreth from Richard Adams’ novel of the same title, is far away from the world of reality, rich with metaphor and symbolism. Originally produced by Lifeline Theatre,...

‘Songs for a New World’ at Metropolitan Youth Theatre

Metropolitan Youth Theatre, an entirely student-run theatre company based in Lorton, Virginia, showcased major young adult talents of the DC Metro area with their compelling production of Jason Robert...

‘Any Given Monday’ at the Greenbelt Arts Center

Darkness can be a guilty pleasure. Bruce Graham’s Any Given Monday, currently onstage at the Greenbelt Arts Center, is a dark comedy-drama that makes you laugh in all the wrong places. Under the able...

‘The Voice of Anne Frank’ by Miřenka Čechová at Atlas Performing Arts Center

Yesterday, Miřenka Čechová, the acclaimed author of physical theater, actor, dancer, choreographer, and director from the Czech Republic, returned to DC for a one night-only performance of The Voice...

‘God’s Favorite’ at The Thurmont Thespians

The best aspect of great community theater is you never know where you’ll find it. It could be an elaborate setting in an old movie house. It could be in a modern black box in the local community...

‘Painting Churches’ at The Montgomery Playhouse and The City of Gaithersburg at The Arts Barn

It’s sheer joy watching three performers execute their craft with passion. Add in an incredibly-written, intelligent and thought-provoking narrative and a warm and intimate venue, and with The...

The Women’s Voices Theater Festival: ‘Kerrmoor’ at The Interrobang Theatre Company and The Strand Theater Company

Three women, bound by blood and tradition. One community in dire straits. And a centuries old rite that can mend all ills. Kerrmoor, written by Susan McCully and directed by Eve Muson, takes us deep...

East Street Arts Center is coming to Frederick and Landless Theatre Company Has Found a New Home

The Landless Theatre Company is opening the new “East Street Arts Center” at 919-B N. East Street in Frederick, MD. The 12,000 square foot former church space will include a 180-seat performance...

‘Henri IV Part 2’: The Re-Gendered Henry IV Repertory at Brave Spirits Theatre

After stifling a rebellion and slaying your opponents to the throne, what else is there to do? According to Shakespeare, you commiserate on themes of life and death while making a lot of sex and fart...

‘Thérèse Raquin’ at Roundabout Theatre at Studio 54 in New York City

Young Therese Raquin is in terrible trouble. We realize this the moment the curtain rises revealing a small and desolate village on the Seine in the year 1868. The entrance of Therese, (Keira...

‘Legally Blonde: The Musical’ by Other Voices Theatre at the Performing Arts Factory

Fantastically directed by Susan Thornton and excellently musically directed by Pete Meyers, Other Voices Theatre’s Legally Blonde: The Musical is an extremely high-energy show with outstanding...

‘The Secret Garden’ at Center Stage

When I was a child, I read Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel, The Secret Garden. Like many other children my age, I relished the loveliness of the story and wished for a garden of my own....

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Off the Cuff: A Season of Vivaldi’

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has some fun as they tackle Vivaldi as part of their Off the Cuff series. The series includes a smaller gathering of strings, about 35 in all, and an informal...

Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Michele Lee: ‘Nobody Does It Like Me, The Music of Cy Coleman’

Broadway, Television, Film and Concert artist Michele Lee beguiled at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater with a disarming and engaging set of songs written by the prolific Broadway composer Cy...

In the Moment: Adam Turner Conducts ‘La Boheme’ at the Virginia Opera‏

The major joy in writing this column comes from getting to know the up and coming creative artists in the DC area, especially since a whole new generation is sweeping into the area. One does not need...

Filichia on Friday: ‘We Can Always Go Back to Before ‘

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: We Can Always Go Back to Before Purchase Peter...

The Reel Deal: Watch Kyle Osborne’s Movie Video Review of ‘Spectre’

Here is Kyle Osborne’s Movie Video Review of ‘Spectre.’ Watch the Trailer: Here are DC Showtimes. Check out other Movie Video Reviews by Kyle Osborne.

‘No Exit’ at Nu Sass

What better theater piece to consider for an immersive, “locked-away” experience than Jean-Paul Sartre’s No Exit. For that alone, Nu Sass deserves and earns plaudits for its very nifty No Exit. No...

Jill Vanderweit on ‘Any Given Monday’ Opening Tonight at Greenbelt Arts Center

In Part 3, Jill Vanderweit stars in Any Given Monday, which opens tonight at Greenbelt Arts Center. I asked him to talk about the role of Risa, who she plays in the show. My name is ​Jill Vanderweit,...

Sydney-Chanele Dawkins Memorial Screening Tomorrow 11/7@10AM at AMC Hoffman Center 22 Screening Room #3 as Part of Alexandria Film Festival

ALEXANDRIA FILM FESTIVAL Tomorrow: Saturday, November 7, 2015 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (EST) Sydney-Chanele Dawkins Memorial Screening Tomorrow, Saturday, November 7th, at 10:00 a.m. AMC Hoffman...

Meet the Cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s ‘Sweeney Todd’: Part 7: Daniel Plante

In Part 7 of a series of interviews with the director and cast of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s Sweeney Todd meet Daniel Plante Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have seen...

‘Intimate Apparel’ at CCBC Catonsville

This semester, CCBC Catonsville’s theatre department has taken on Lynn Nottage’s play, Intimate Apparel. Set in the New York City of 1905, the play tells the story of Esther, an African American...

Bob Kleinberg on ‘Any Given Monday’ Opening Tonight at Greenbelt Arts Center

Bob Kleinberg stars in Any Given Monday, which opens tonight at Greenbelt Arts Center. I asked him to talk about the role of Lenny, who he plays in the show. Lenny is a mild-mannered Jewish guy from...

Sarah Scott on ‘Any Given Monday’ Opening Tonight at Greenbelt Arts Center

Sarah Scott stars in Any Given Monday, which opens tonight at Greenbelt Arts Center. I asked her to talk about the role of Sarah, who she plays in the show. Sarah is a young college student in her...

‘The Book of Mormon’ at Hippodrome Theatre at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center

The Book of Mormon is like a short, bracing vacation from political correctness. Between now and November 15th, taking a seat in Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre signals your willingness to stifle the...

Spine: Mosaic Theater Company’s ‘Unexplored Interior’: A ‘Theatre of Conscience’

The Mosaic Theater Company has arrived, and Washington’s dense theatrical geography has a different colored star on the horizon. Its inaugural production, the world premiere of Unexplored Interior by...

‘The Children’s Hour’ at Howard University

If you have never seen or heard of The Children’s Hour by Lillian Hellman, then you are missing out on a masterful piece of social commentary. Written in 1934, the play was highly controversial with...

Meet the Cast of ‘Painting Churches’ at Montgomery Playhouse: Part 3: Jane Squier Bruns

In Part 3 of a series of interviews with the cast of Montgomery Playhouse’s Painting Churches, meet Jane Squier Bruns. Joel: Where have local audiences seen you perform recently on stage? Jane: I just...

Magic Time! ‘World Builders’ at Forum Theatre

To judge by social media, love and madness are a thing. Here are a few choice examples now making the rounds in the meme-osphere: “Love is merely a madness….” (William Shakespeare) “There is always...

Meet the Cast of ‘Painting Churches’ at Montgomery Playhouse: Part 2: Shanna Ridenour

In Part 2 of a series of interviews with the cast of Montgomery Playhouse’s Painting Churches, meet Shanna Ridenour. Joel: Where have local audiences seen you perform recently on stage? Shanna:...