2016

Review: ‘The School for Scandal’ at The Lucille Lortel Theatre in NYC

I doubt if in 1777 Richard Brinsley Sheridan was giving much thought to whether or not his comedy of manners would have any relevance to New York audiences in 239 years. But here he is again, at the...

Review: ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’ at City of Fairfax Theatre Company

Truth and illusion, George; You don’t know the difference. This line in the third act of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? best shows the play’s major theme: what is truth and what is...

Review: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at The Little Theatre of Alexandria

Nestled into a quiet corner of Old Town Alexandria, the production of Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird (adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel) at The Little Theatre of Alexandria was...

Review: Theater Triebewerk’s ‘Moby Dick’ at The Kennedy Center

A big theatrical story created on a small space is no easy matter. For the too-short stay of Moby Dick at the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences, it was accurate what the Kennedy Center staff...

Review: ‘Looking for Roberto Clemente’ at Imagination Stage

Searching for something fun, informative, and meaningful to do with the family this spring? Imagination Stage’s current production of Looking for Roberto Clemente is a touching show centered on a...

Review: ‘The Flying Dutchman’ at Virginia Opera

How should we deal with the storms of life? Should we go through life content and yet oblivious to the suffering of ourselves and others? Or, do we allow ourselves psychic disturbance over the plight...

Review: ‘The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Stupid Fairy Tales’ at The Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia

If you think that happy endings, moral lessons, and the power of goodness magically triumphing over the forces of evil are the stuff fairy tales are made of, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Stupid...

‘Beowulf and Grendel’ is Alive at the Mount Moriah Cemetery: An Interview with Director Maura Krause

“Beowulf” is an Old English epic poem consisting of 3182 alliterative lines, one of the oldest literary documents in Anglo-Saxon literature. Beowulf has a long history of having been passed on through...

Review: DEMO: Place with Damian Woetzel starring Lil Buck at The Kennedy Center

Damian Woetzel’s DEMO Place starring Lil Buck uses art as a platform to explore geographical locations in the midst of authentic human emotions. A 90-minute jam session of dance, music, and dramatics,...

Review: ‘Machinal’ at Ego Po Classic Theater in Philadelphia

“Crimes of Passion” have always stimulated audiences, and America in the 1920’s had one of the great ones. Ruth Synder killed her loathsome husband with the help of her boyfriend. Both were convicted...

Review: ‘C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert’ at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Lansburgh Theatre

Believe it or not, this is one terrific piece of theater. It’s a one-man play about an influential, world-class thinker that’s every bit as smart, fascinating, and satisfying as the best such solo...

Review: ‘Our Town’ at Reston Community Players

When I walked into the Reston Community Center at approximately 7:30 to see Reston Community Players’ production of Our Town, there was an immediate sense of theatricality that was taking effect. As I...

A Conversation about Women and Aging with Jennifer Childs and Harriet Power of 1812 Productions’ ‘I Will Not Go Gently’

Reaching middle age and beyond has long been a topic for popular commentary on the human condition, from the commonplace that “Growing old isn’t bad when you consider the alternative” to Bette Davis’s...

Filichia on Friday: ‘R&H: Relevant & Human or Run-down and Humdrum?’

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: R&H: Relevant & Human or Run-down and Humdrum?...

Review: ‘Heartbreak House’ At Britches and Hose Theater Company

Most community theatres would probably not opt to present George Bernard Shaw’s Heartbreak House. It’s a long, thorny play, a derivative of Chekhov’s Cherry Orchard, subtitled A Fantasia in the...

An Interview with Villanova Theatre’s ‘Translations’ Director Valerie Joyce: Part 2: Behind the Scenes of Her Production of ‘Translations’

In Part 2, Director Valerie Joyce takes us behind the scenes of her production of Translations at Villanova Theatre. Henrik: Congratulations to the whole Villanova community for having been awarded “a...

An Interview with Villanova Theatre’s ‘Translations’ Director Valerie Joyce: Part 1: The Irish Chekhov

Villanova University, with its long theater tradition, has fostered not only the classics, but Irish theater for many years. To honor the 100-year anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin,...

Roz White and Teresa Castracane on Appearing in ‘Black Pearl Sings!’ at MetroStage

Roz White and Teresa Castracane star in Black Pearl Sings! at MetroStage playing two extraordinary strong women from very different backgrounds. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers...

In the Moment: George Mason’s Center for the Arts Announces its Upcoming 2016-2017 Season

Next season’s Great Performances series at the Center for the Arts was recently announced to hearty applause at a lovely evening event on the George Mason University campus in Fairfax, Virginia....

Review: ‘Pride and Prejudice’ at The Catholic University of America’s Drama Department

On Queen Elizabeth’s birthday, CUADrama opens one of the most iconic English-language stories in the canon, Pride and Prejudice. Darcy and Elizabeth get a brand new Pop Art twist in this refreshing...

Filichia on Friday: ‘ Rhymes Have I – Or Have I?’

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: A Chat with Choreographer Larry Fuller. Purchase...

‘La-Ti-Do Remembers Prince’: On Monday, April 25, 2016 at 7 PM Invites Local Artists to Perform

LA-TI-DO REMEMBERS PRINCE: MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 @7PM La-Ti-Do DC Cabaret Changes Programming to Provide a Space for Artists to Mourn La-Ti-Do invites the best artists from all over the Washington...

Sarah Lasko is ‘Over the Rainbow’ Coming Home and Playing Dorothy in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at The National Theatre

You may have seen Sarah Lasko perform on our local DC area stages, but now you can see her in Oz when she returns home to appear as Dorothy on the National Theatre stage in the eye-popping tour of...

‘New Voices Old Muses’ at The Kennedy Center’s KC Jukebox

This year, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts began an innovative concert series called KC Jukebox, curated by The Kennedy Center’s first proclaimed Composer-in-Residence, Mason Bates....

Andrew Lippa on ‘I Am Anne Hutchinson’/’I Am Harvey Milk’ at Strathmore on 4/23 & 24

Andrew Lippa is bringing I Am Anne Hutchinson/I Am Harvey Milk to The Music Center at Strathmore this Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 8 PM and on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at 4 PM. Andrew tells us about...

Review: ‘Sex with Strangers’ at Philadelphia Theatre Company

You’d probably expect a play with a title like Sex with Strangers to be provocative, entertaining and, well, sexy. And Laura Eason’s play is all that and then some. It’s not a perfect play; it tends...

Review: ‘1776’ at The Media Theatre in Media, PA

We all know that the Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents ever written. But have you ever actually tried to read it? Pretty boring, right? Who would expect such a dry...

Review: ‘Time Stands Still’ at Fells Point Corner Theatre

Dramaturgical notes in the program tell us that Time Stands Still is “essentially a love story.” But it’s also a play about war. And art. And economics. And politics. And publishing. And privilege....

In the Moment: A Look at ‘The Mystery of Love & Sex’: Jonny I Hardly Know Ye

Revelations are many in the admirable production of Bathsheba Doran’s The Mystery of Love & Sex currently at Signature Theatre. Directed by Stella Powell Jones, The Mystery of Love & Sex has its share...

Review: ‘The Mystery of Love & Sex’ at Signature Theatre

Do you want to feel good? Do you want to forget for a couple of hours the political hate speech that’s currently filling the airways, or the vast economic inequality and the rise of a political...

Review: Classical Guitarist Mark Edwards at Columbia Festival of the Arts

The Columbia Festival of the Arts under Executive Director Todd Olson, presented a Mark Edwards, Classical Spanish Guitar at the historical Oliver’s Carriage House on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Mark...

‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ Continues its Run at Penn State’s Centre Stage

In 1895, modernist critics were unhappy with Oscar Wilde’s less-than politically-challenging plot from, The Importance of Being Earnest. Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw wished to be “moved to...

‘Talking Shop and Taking Stock With Ari Roth’ by John Stoltenberg and David Siegel

There was a buzz of high energy as we walked into Ari Roth’s office at the Atlas Performing Arts Center to meet with the Founding Artistic Director of Mosaic Theater Company of DC. We wanted to talk...

Review: The Art of Comedy’ at Platform Arts Center

Approximately once a month – twice, if they feel like it – a group of comedians gets together at the Platform Arts Center in Baltimore, and perform to a packed house for free. Let me repeat that –...

Review: The Great American Rep: ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ at Everyman Theatre

As the centerpiece of its 25th Anniversary Season, Baltimore’s Everyman Theatre has taken on the daunting task of mounting what are arguably the two greatest American plays ever written, Arthur...

Review: ‘Evita’ at the Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre

A Touch of Star Quality at Spotlighters Evita opened to a sold-out house on Friday night at Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre. Fans of the popular Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber collaboration can thank...

Review: ‘Dos Por Uno’ at The Columbia Festival of the Arts’ ‘Viva La Vida’

The Columbia Festival of the Arts under Executive Director, Todd Olson, presented an evening of Latin American music, Dos Por Uno on Saturday, April 16, 2016, featuring the bands Las Cafeteras and La...

Review: ‘Forever Plaid’ at Montgomery Theater in Souderton, PA

Equipped with a catalog of familiar tunes and the indelible spirit of yesteryear, the eternal charm of Forever Plaid shines in a delightful new production at Montgomery Theater. Under the direction...

Review: ‘Ragtime’ at Memorial Players

Both E.L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel, Ragtime, and the musical adaptation of the same name, with Book by Terrence McNally, Music by Stephen Flaherty, and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, currently playing at...

Review: ‘Laughter and Reflection with Carol Burnett-A Conversation Where the Audience Asks the Questions’ at Strathmore

Comedienne extraordinaire Carol Burnett brought her distinctive and legendary persona to the Music Center at Strathmore last night and the audience responded with glee and deserved appreciation....

Review: ‘Middletown’ at Lumina Studio Theatre

Middletown is a series of vignettes powered by a strong ensemble Middletown, which played at The Silver Spring Black Box Theater through April 17th was a glorious, energetic crowd pleaser. Directed by...

Dundalk Community Theatre Presents ‘Little Women: The Musical’ 4/29-5/8

“Sometimes when you dream, your dreams come true, in extraordinary ways. Suddenly a day can be so amazing.” Dundalk Community Theatre concludes its season with the musical adaptation of Louisa May...

Review: ‘Cloud Nine’ at Gallaudet University Theatre and Dance Program

Caryl Churchill’s Cloud Nine, which premiered in London in 1979, is rightly considered a landmark play. It’s pivotal for me personally as well, ever since I saw the legendary Tommy Tune production...

Review: ‘Beowulf/Grendel’ at Renegade Theatre Company in Philadelphia

There are two sides to every story—every conflict, every bit of gossip, and even the seemingly straightforward story of Beowulf. In Renegade Theatre Company’s production, Beowulf/Grendel, you get a...

Review: ‘Detroit ’67’ at Centerstage

Centerstage closes out its 2015/16 season, culminating with internationally award-winning playwright/actress/television writer Dominique Morisseau’s powerful period piece Detroit ’67. Set during the...

Review: ‘The Father’ at Manhattan Theatre Club in NYC

Floria Zeller, the French playwright might have called his play The Father In Winter, for The Lion in Winter was already taken. In this one act and 90-minute tragedy, adapted from the French by...

Review: ‘Twelfth Night’ at The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre

There are few plays in the Shakespearean canon as beloved as Twelfth Night. It’s a comedy that uses mistaken identities, trickery, and a healthy dose of romance to captivate its audience. And it’s one...

Review: ‘Innovations 2016’ at Ballet Theatre of Maryland

There could not be a more apt title for Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s current production than Innovations 2016. This performance of five original works is both timeless and fresh. From traditional...

Review: ‘Macbeth’ at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company

Macbeth: A Bloody Good Show In his time, Macbeth was a successful, lauded warrior. He owned a castle and had an attractive wife whose ravenous ambitions, drive and ego matched his own. Neither was...

Review: ‘The Mousetrap’ at Prince George’s Little Theatre

The Mousetrap Weaves a Tangled Patchwork of Suspense The Mousetrap, now playing at Bowie Playhouse and produced by Prince George’s Little Theatre, is a purist’s take on late mystery writer Agatha...