2021

DCMTA 2021 Staff Favorites: Outstanding Community Theater Productions

Here are some of the community theater productions that made an indelible impression on our writers this year.

An electrifying night of songs and stories with ‘John Cameron Mitchell & Stephen Trask: Return to the Origin of Love’ at NYC’s The Town Hall

With its huge cult following of “Hed-heads” and significant place in both theater and LGBTQIA history, the four-time Tony Award-winning alt-culture musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch by John Cameron...

Colonial Players to stage ‘The Lost Boy,’ about Peter Pan creator

A heartwarming, fictionalized story based on the author James Barrie.

DCMTA 2021 Staff Favorites: Outstanding Professional Theater Productions

17 productions that wowed us as live theater returned.

WIT to require booster shots and medical-grade masks

Becomes first local theater to tighten COVID safety protocols in light of omicron.

In miniature, two children seek safety, in ‘Flight’ at Studio Theatre

The immersive journey of two young Afghan refugees, an unforgettable tour de force.

15 Questions in 15 Minutes that don’t go wrong with Chris Lanceley from ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ at Off-Broadway’s New World Stages

Since moving to the US, British-born and NYC-based Chris Lanceley from Liverpool, who has appeared on network television (FBI; Blue Bloods) and Off-Broadway, is either “a terrible actor” or “the...

Director Cara Gabriel on the magic and joy of ‘Winterfest’ at Adventure Theatre

‘Our kids have been on screens 24/7 the past two years. I wanted to involve them live and in person whenever we could.’

In lipstick and hip schtick, the Kinsey Sicks tickle at Theater J

‘Oy Vey in a Manger,’ their adults-only holiday special, is not for the pious or prudish—let alone right-wing fanatics—but it’s hilarious for everyone else.

Free December streamings from NYC’s The Mint and The Bad Kids

Through the pandemic shutdown, theaters reopening, and many performances currently being canceled to ensure safety, NYC companies continue to present online shows. Among the range of digital events...

‘Corduroy’ at Imagination Stage is laugh-out-loud adorable

A lighthearted, fun adventure for families with young children.

There’s a new ‘Pretty Woman’ in town: Q&A with Olivia Valli

The rising star who plays Vivian tells how the musical has been revised since its Broadway run and how her character will be different from the movie.

DCMTA 2021 Staff Favorites: Outstanding Digital Theater

30 online productions that wowed us and got us through theater shutdown.

‘A Strange Loop,’ a hit at Woolly, heads to Broadway

Michael R. Jackson’s ‘big, Black and queer-ass American Broadway show’ will open in spring 2022 at the Lyceum Theatre.

Darlene Love gives it all and gets it back from NYC in ‘Love for the Holidays’ at The Town Hall

Legendary singer and actress Darlene Love treated NYC fans to her extraordinary talents in a one-night-only concert at The Town Hall, Love for the Holidays, and what a gift it was! Now 80, Love has...

What’s ‘Once Upon a One More Time’ doing at the Shakespeare?

There’s got to be more to it than a cool chance to groove on the oeuvre of Britney Spears. | Column by JOHN STOLTENBERG

‘Once Upon a One More Time’ is wacky but it works

The show at STC inspired by the music of Britney Spears is as thought-provoking as it is toe-tapping, as clever as it is hilarious, and a bona fide success. | Review by NICOLE HERTVIK

Three mid-century icons take a long trip in the Broadway premiere of ‘Flying over Sunset’ at Lincoln Center

Typically lasting eight to twelve hours, a trip on LSD, because of the distorted perception of time induced by the drug, can feel much longer than it actually is. It certainly does in the new...

Come for the songs in ‘Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’ at KenCen

And what songs they are! — classics on a par with anything in the American Songbook.

COVID-19 updates on show schedules from The Broadway League and The Rockettes

With the surge of COVID-19 infections in NYC and the now daily announcements of the need to cancel scheduled performances of shows both on and off Broadway due to breakthrough cases among the cast,...

The Broadway revival of ‘Company’ takes a gender-swapped look at relationships in NYC

When the Broadway production of Company, written by Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and George Furth (book), premiered in 1970, it was nominated for a record-setting fourteen Tony Awards and won...

Adventure Theatre’s ‘Winterfest’ is a three-in-one celebration

Productions feature stories about the magic of Chanukah, a heartwarming Christmas journey from the Philippines, and the connecting power of snow.

Two fantastic detective tales unfold as audio plays from We Happy Few

Sherlock Holmes and Loveday Brooks in a new genre of interactive theater: a mystery experience mailed right to your door.

Poignant musical ‘The Christmas Angel’ premieres at Creative Cauldron

From Matt Conner and Stephen Gregory Smith, a beautiful family experience with a powerful message of love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

One captivating actor and 34 classic characters in ‘One Christmas Carol’ Off-Broadway at The Chain Theatre

After making its New York debut in 2019, One Christmas Carol, a one-man adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1843 holiday favorite A Christmas Carol, is back in the City for a limited engagement at...

Meshaun Labrone’s harrowing film ‘Spook’ now streaming on Tubi

Based on the haunting one-man play that debuted at Capital Fringe, a visceral exploration of American race relations, policing, and the criminal justice system.

Pianist Lara Downes and the mainstreaming of fully American music

Imagine if great music by diverse composers were presented not as special but rather as totally normal.

For DEI in the arts, pay a living wage, says new AEA report

A national study of state and local arts agencies finds most grants lack wage requirements.

Nostalgia makes for a winning ‘A Christmas Story’ at Silver Spring Stage

An iconic holiday classic and a delightful trip down memory lane.

‘The Christmas Revels’ return with spirituals, carols, and family fun

Set in post–Civil War DC, this year’s show is a heartwarming and meaningful way to kick off the holidays.

Nostalgic ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ charms at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts

The show is wholesome, sentimental, and highlights the warmth and comfort of family.

Landless Theatre artists drop weird ‘Latchkey Kid’s Christmas Album’

From the folks who created sock-puppet ‘Urinetown’ comes a comedy band called The Bingle Jells.

‘The Nutcracker’ comes to vivid life at Ballet Theatre of Maryland

Capturing the spirit of the season, the production is a joy to watch in person or online.

What’s so funny about John Oliver

The Emmy-winning political comic has a standup gig at Kennedy Center that’s nearly sold out.

‘The Wizard of Oz: A British Pantomime’ is a delightful holiday romp

The traditionally British holiday panto meets the very American story of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in The British Players’ delightful production.

December concerts by Judy Collins, Darlene Love, John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask at NYC’s The Town Hall

This year marks the centennial anniversary of NYC’s The Town Hall, centrally located on West 43rd Street in the heart of the Times Square district. Originally conceived as a meeting place for...

‘A Snowy Nite at the Dew Drop Inn’ sparks joy at Anacostia Playhouse

The show consists of popular R&B songs that featured Aframerican performers and is all about having a good time in a world full of dark, cold nights.

‘…(Iphigenia)’ opera at Kennedy Center pushes musical boundaries

The creators have thrown away the rulebook. It’s not jazz exactly and certainly not classical contemporary.

Broadway producers Tom and Michael D’Angora honored with NY State Senate Proclamation for their charitable work

On Sunday, Dec 12, 2021, Broadway producers Tom and Michael D’Angora were honored by Senator Brad Hoylman with a State Senate Proclamation naming it Tom and Michael D’Angora Appreciation Day in New...

An electric ‘Skin of Our Teeth’ at Baltimore’s Everyman Theatre

A 5,000-year hurricane of familial, environmental, and societal destruction is unleashed on a typical American family in this classic by Thornton Wilder.

Off-Broadway’s Gingold Theatrical Group to honor Maryann Plunkett, Jay O. Sanders, and Ethan E. Litwin

Next up in Gingold Theatrical Group’s 2021-22 season of Project Shaw – a monthly series offering some of the greatest works of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries – is the Irish playwright’s...

A preposterous new musical adaptation of ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ at Broadway’s Stephen Sondheim Theatre

The new big-budget musical-theater production of the popular 1993 award-winning movie starring Robin Williams, Mrs. Doubtfire is the latest in a long list of screen-to-stage adaptations that bank on...

Improvised Shakespeare Company at KenCen is absolutely stunning

Their combination of improvisational comedy, poetry, sketch comedy, and theater is bafflingly impressive.

Dances Patrelle’s ‘The Yorkville Nutcracker’ at NYC’s Hunter College takes audiences on a magical Christmas journey through Olde New York

Now in its 33rd year, the Manhattan-based non-profit ballet company Dances Patrelle (dP) celebrates the 25th anniversary of founding artistic director and choreographer Francis Patrelle’s The...

August Wilson’s personal passion takes center stage at Avant Bard

A laudable performance of the renowned playwright’s autobiographical ‘How I Learned What I Learned.’

Author Candace Bushnell ponders ‘Is There Still Sex in the City?’ in her autobiographical solo show at Off-Broadway’s Daryl Roth Theatre

In her new one-woman show Is There Still Sex in the City?, making its Off-Broadway debut at the Daryl Roth Theatre in a limited engagement through February 6, writer Candace Bushnell – the now...

‘Tootsie’ on tour at the National Theatre is a triumph

The comedy musical based on the famous movie shines with romantic insanity.

All the feelings and the moves from ‘The Boy Band Project: Holiday Edition’ at Feinstein’s/54 Below

Along with shining a spotlight on the group’s sizzling Broadway-caliber talent, The Boy Band Project: Holiday Edition, which played at Feinstein’s/54 Below on Monday, December 6, provided fabulous...

Off-Broadway musical adaptation of ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ at Atlantic Theater Company combines hilarious dark comedy with a meaningful message

Virgil’s ancient Roman maxim “tempus fugit” is nowhere more apparent than in the life of New Jersey teenager Kimberly Levaco in 1999. Afflicted with a rare genetic disorder that causes her body to age...

Theatre Washington debuts ‘Backstage at the Helen Hayes Awards’ series

A personal look into the lives that have made DC the second largest and most successful theater community in the nation.