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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. (more…)

 

 Hard Luck Cafe music samples [6:51m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1)

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, 110 in the Shade, and pre-show at How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents.
by Joel Markowitz

I’ve seen some outstanding performances lately. Here are some you still have time to savor for yourself.

A Really Lovely and Hysterically Funny Funny Thing at TAP

Aaah! What bliss! Musical director Mark Deal and his superb orchestra breezed through Stephen Sondheim’s extremely hummable and toe-tapping overture of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, (more…)

SCINTILLATING SUMMER MUSICAL SCENE STEALERS:
Kevin Girard Bender, Kristen Zwobot, Hope MacDonald, Zachary Conneen

As summer comes to a close, here are four memorable scene stealing musical performances by local young and talented performers.

KEVIN GIRARD BENDER singing “Role of A Lifetime” in Bare: The Musical at The Baltimore Theatre Project.

I was introduced to the gorgeous voice of Kevin Girard Bender when I attended opening night of Zanna, Don’t at Kensington Arts Theatre (KAT) (more…)

Oz Scott on Directing Daniel Beaty’s Resurrection

Interviewed by Joel Markowitz 
Recorded August 21, 2008  (more…)

 

 Oz Scott [21:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1191)

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 (more…)

 

 Standard Podcast [21:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2053)

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.” (more…)

 

 Paata Tsikurishvili [10:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1097)

• WELL NOTED: THE 2007-2008 MUSICAL SEASON IN REVIEW
• By Joel Markowitz

 I am a very fortunate man. This year I saw many wonderful musicals and musical performances on our local professional, community and children’s theatre stages.

Here are my favorites.

(more…)

• GREAT MUSICAL PERFORMANCES 2007-2008 
• by Joel Markowitz

Here are 17 performers who made their mark in our local musicals in the past year, and whose performances I loved.
(more…)

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• A two part interview with actor Lawrence Redmond starring in Jerry Springer: The Opera
• By Joel Markowitz (more…)
   

   Lawrence Redmond on Jerry Springer: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1484)
  
  

   

   Lawrence Redmond on his career: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1479)
  

From Meet John Doe, to Little Mermaid to [title of show].  (more…)

 

 Heidi Blickenstaff: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1665)