Reviews

The Way of the World

⊆ October 6th, 2008 by Tim Treanor | ˜ No Comments »

The Way of the World
by William Congreve
directed by Michael Kahn
produced by Shakespeare Theatre Company
reviewed by Tim Treanor

Let me lay this on the table at the outset: this plot-thick, character-heavy Restoration comedy, a paean to the benefits of estate planning, is not for everyone. To enjoy it, we must be willing to look at human nature at its most puerile.  We must be willing, not just to laugh at ourselves, but to laugh at the worst part of ourselves. If we have the stomach for it, there is a satisfying evening of theater waiting for us.

The challenge is not simply that the language is unfamiliar or frame of reference different than our own. We go to the Shakespeare for new experiences, drawn from olden times. It is, rather, that after forty years of restoration, England had become an emotionally and spiritually barren place, its denizens exhausted and insensible. We may think of ourselves as cynical. We don’t know what cynical is. Read more…

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Take Me Away

⊆ October 4th, 2008 by Tim Treanor | ˜ No Comments »

Take Me Away
by Gerald Murphy
produced by Solas Nua
directed by Linda Murray
reviewed by Tim Treanor

Oh, what a fine nasty little play this is, as mean as a wolverine and as tight as a Chinese box puzzle! What a sweet festival of malevolence do Eddie (Joe Cronin) and his three brutish sons create! To witness the crude, manipulative Eddie thrust and parry with sullen Bren (Jared Hill Mercier), dimwitted Kevin (Kevin O’Reilly) Read more…

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A Passion for Justice

⊆ October 3rd, 2008 by Steven McKnight | ˜ No Comments »

A Passion for Justice:  The Clarence Darrow Story
by Jack Marshall and Paul Morella
directed by Jack Marshall 
produced by The American Century Theater & Clarence Darrow Productions
reviewed by Steven McKnight

There’s an old saying that the secret to success for a trial lawyer is sincerity - if you can fake that, the rest is easy.  A close second is passion and the aptly named A Passion for Justice: The Clarence Darrow Story has an abundance of both Read more…

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Busytown

⊆ October 3rd, 2008 by Ted Ying | ˜ No Comments »

Busytown
adapted for the stage by Kevin Kling
from the book “What Do People Do All Day” by Richard Scarry
music by Michael Koerner
lyrics by Kevin Kling and Michael Koerner
directed by Krissy Marty
produced by Imagination Stage
r
eviewed by Ted Ying

“So simple, yet so brilliant.”  says Huckle the cat when the postal service is explained to him.  But he might just as well be describing this wonderfully enchanting production Read more…

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The Underpants

⊆ October 2nd, 2008 by Rosalind Lacy | ˜ 1 Comment »

 

The Underpants
adapted by Steve Martin from a play by Carl Sternheim
directed by John Going
produced by Olney Theatre Center
reviewed by Rosalind Lacy

Steve Martin, of Saturday Night Live fame, knows how to tell a joke just right. Even bawdy ones, abounding with double entendres, in a German farce that airs out more than dirty laundry. Read more…

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The Lieutenant of Inishmore

⊆ September 30th, 2008 by Steven McKnight | ˜ 4 Comments »

The Lieutenant of Inishmore

by Martin McDonagh
directed by Jeremy Skidmore
produced by Signature Theatre 
reviewed by Steven McKnight 

Halloween has arrived early at Signature, where Martin McDonagh’s The Lieutenant of Inishmore offers an abundance of gruesome fun.  This witty mix of black comedy, farce, and satire receives a gleeful production that will delight anyone who can handle its realistic violence and shocking humor. The story revolves around the dilemma faced by the Donny (John Lescault) and Davey (Matthew McGloin), temporary caretakers of Wee Thomas, a cat that is killed on a country road. Read more…

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Theatre Schmooze with Joel Markowitz

Welcome to the Hard Luck Cafe

⊆ October 6th, 2008 by Joel Markowitz | ˜ No Comments »

Welcome to the Hard Luck Café
A new musical by Karin Ringheim gets its start in DC
By Joel Markowitz

I attend many readings of new works and when you walk in the room and watch the faces of the playwrights, book writers and composers, you always see the same emotions - pride, fear and hope.

Recently, I slid into a reading of Karlin Ringheim’s musical Welcome to the Hard Luck Café. I was invited to attend by actress and singer extraordinaire Renee Rabben, who was reading the role of Hazel. Two of my favorite local actresses were in the cast -Amy McWilliams and Amy Conley. Read more…

 
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Richard Seff's NY Theatre Buzz

Triple Triumphs

⊆ September 30th, 2008 by Richard Seff | ˜ No Comments »

The Glass Cage, Oklahoma! and Equus
by Richard Seff

The tiny Mint Theater, ensconced on the third floor of an office building in a 96 seat black box with stadium seating, should win all the prizes for impeccable productions of little known gems from the past. You have no idea how delicious can be the savoring of the words and ideas of JB Priestley, Read more…

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Podcasts

And the Winners of the Audience Choice Awards Are …

Thanks to everyone who voted for the DCTS Audience Choice Awards.  This year, audiences had the chance to vote for their favorite nominees in 8 categories: Touring Show, Family Show, Play, Actor and Actress in a Play, Musical and Actor and Actress in a Musical. And after 6,086 votes we have winners.

Who are they? Read more…

 
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⊆September 7th, 2008
≡Topic:Our Podcasts

Director Oz Scott

Oz Scott on Directing Daniel Beaty’s Resurrection

Interviewed by Joel Markowitz 
Recorded August 21, 2008  Read more…

 
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⊆September 5th, 2008
≡Topic:Our Podcasts

Rooms’ Natascia Diaz and Doug Kreeger


Meet the stars of Rooms: A Rock Musical
An interview with Natascia Diaz and Doug Kreeger
by Joel Markowitz

Minutes after accepting their standing ovations, their Scottish accents still on the tips of their tongues, the stars of the new bound-for-NYC musical Rooms: A Rock Musical Read more…

 
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⊆August 29th, 2008
≡Topic:Our Podcasts

Synetic Forges a Message of Love from a Tragedy


A conversation with Synetic Theater’s Artistic Director Paata Tsikurishvili
By Joel Markowitz
Recorded Saturday, August 23, 2008

As Russian troops occupied the Republic of Georgia, DC’s Synetic Theater, headed by Georgian artists, was rehearsing their season opener The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Artistic Director Paata Tsikurishvili received a call, then turned on Georgian news to learn about the tragedy that was unfolding in his native country, affecting his family and the family of other company members. “Russian tanks and soldiers are running around in my small beautiful country…they are burning everything even forests, ranches, houses.” Read more…

 
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⊆August 25th, 2008
≡Topic:Our Podcasts

Theatre News

Free Tickets Gone, But Bargains Can Still Be Had

Today  on the League of Washington Theatre’s website,  3500 free tickets were swooped up by theatre enthusiasts within 25 minutes, all part of the third annual Free Night of Theater. So while the free seats are gone, there are still some very good deals to be had on the site. The offers range from $5 off to 50% off for sixteen upcoming productions.  Click here to check out these FNOT discounts.

⊆October 1st, 2008
≡Topic:News and Views

Free Night of Theater Ticket Giveaway This Wednesday

Twenty four professional companies in the area are offering 3500 free tickets as part of the national Free Night of Theater 2008, sponsored here by the League of Washington Theaters.

Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, October 1st at noon. Those online may place only one order (for no more than 2 tickets) per person. If this year is anything like previous years, most seats will be gone in the first 15 minutes, so the best strategy is to decide on your top choices - information is below - Read more…

⊆September 28th, 2008
≡Topic:News and Views

Call for Helen Hayes Judges

The Helen Hayes Awards is seeking well-versed and knowledgeable men and women to serve as Helen Hayes Awards judges. They will serve on a pool of 60 judges whose task will be to see and evaluate all Helen-Hayes eligible productions throughout the calendar year, and provide those critical judgments which result in the nomination and awarding of the prestigious Helen Hayes Awards. The commitment is for a three-year term beginning with the 2009 judging cycle.

Being a Helen Hayes judge serves not only the theatre community, but is a tremendously exciting and rewarding learning experience. If you are a regular theatre-goer and have the time to commit, we hope you will contact William Spates at wspates@helenhayes.org or call 202 337-5316.

⊆September 18th, 2008
≡Topic:News and Views

Signature Reimagines Les Miz

This winter, Washington audiences will be able to see the mega-hit Les Misérables up close in Signature’s MAX Theatre. Signature’s Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer explained in a Playbill interview: Read more…

⊆September 15th, 2008
≡Topic:News and Views