All posts by Josh Fixler:
Josh Fixler is an avid explorer of the DC arts scene. His blog about inexpensive DC arts and culture, www.districtbeat.com, is on temporary hiatus, but he plans to make a return to blogging soon. When he’s not enjoying all the plays, concerts, and museums that DC has to offer, he works as the Assistant Educator and Youth Advisor at Temple B’nai Shalom – a Reform synagogue in Fairfax Station, VA. He is also an associate for the JFFixler Group – a consulting firm that provides volunteer engagement strategies to nonprofits around North America. In his free time, he volunteers for 826DC, a fabulous organization which provides free tutoring and arts education to DC students. Josh is a proud resident of the Truxton Circle neighborhood in Northwest, DC, where he cooks elaborate dinners with his wife, Annie.
PUN: (n) a play on words
July 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
In the interest of full disclosure, let me start by saying that I come from a family of Punners. We think of word play as sword play and often fence just to keep our wits sharp. [Read more...]
Priscilla Dreams the Answer
July 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Dreams are often beautiful and always surreal. They sweep you into their world without qualification or disruption. They are immersive and expansive, but at the same time deeply personal. Priscilla Dreams the Answer is very much like a dream. For the short time that it lasts, it is stunning, and like any good dream, you leave wanting more. [Read more...]
An Hour with Ken Johnson
July 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Ken Johnson wants to teach you the secrets to his success. Unfortunately, he just isn’t that successful. This is the premise of Laura Zam’s play An Hour With Ken Johnson, which, just as unfortunately, is as unsuccessful as its main character. [Read more...]
261.626
July 13, 2011 By 5 Comments
“The key to this play is play” notes playwright and director John Sowalsky in the program for 261.626: A Re-Sounding Comedy. I think he sums it up quite nicely. 216 is playful without being thoughtless and spirited without being soulless. It’s fun, without being total fluff. Not too shabby! [Read more...]
The Beasts
July 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The Beasts describes itself as “a dark comedy. With puppets.” I guess this is mostly right. It was not that dark, and it was fairly funny. And there were puppets. [Read more...]
Fat Men in Skirts
July 8, 2011 By 4 Comments
Before I talk about Fat Men in Skirts we need to talk about the company that is putting it on, Molotov Theatre Group, because more than anything else, this is just Molotov being Molotov. [Read more...]
The Hunchback Variations
July 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The Hunchback Variations feels like a production of Waiting for Godot performed by the Marx Brothers. It is simultaneously high-brow and silly. Although I would have to say it’s less effective than Waiting for Godot, and the comedy is less refined than the Marx Brothers. The effect can best be described as “puzzling”. [Read more...]
Miss Teen Jesus Pageant
July 12, 2010 By 9 Comments
Disclaimer: This show clearly has a target audience. I am not in that target. If you enjoy jokes about drag queens, jokes about ridiculous evangelical preachers, or jokes about JR’s Bar on 16th Street, this show might be for you. [Read more...]
Showcase Showdown
July 12, 2010 By 1 Comment
It was clear that the sizable and chatty crowd in the Burke Theatre was ready to have a blast. The Fringe goers who were looking for a subdued evening of theatre had gone other places. This was going to silly fun. And Speakeasy DC did not disappoint with The Showcase Showdown. [Read more...]
Losing It
July 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Losing It begins with a tantrum. Madeleine Russell, the play’s author and star, storms on stage, bellows, and throws a chair, a stack of books, some trash and a potted plant to the ground. She comes close to chucking a laptop before calming down. It was, needless to say, an abrasive start and, frankly, I was skeptical. [Read more...]
