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Steven McKnight DCTS Reviewer Steven McKnight is a recovering lawyer who now works in a lobbying firm and enjoys the drama of political theatre on both sides of the aisle. He admires authors, actors, athletes, teachers, and chefs, and has dabbled in all of those roles with mixed (and occasionally hilarious) results.

Lonely Planet

May 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Many plays dealing with the heart of the AIDS crisis feature justifiable anger and fury. Yet Steven Dietz’s 1994 play Lonely Planet demonstrates that a gentle approach can be just as powerful and touching, as it is in the excellent production now playing at MetroStage. [Read more...]

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Crown of Shadows: the wake of odysseus

April 19, 2012 By 1 Comment

Life’s not easy if you’re young prince Telemachus.  You miss the dad you barely remember, people think you are too young to take over for a king and demigod like Odysseus, your mother Penelope is being forced to marry one of the many suitors she’s been sleeping around with, and you’re not sure if your first girlfriend, Calliope, is interested in you or your position.  That’s the intriguing setup of the entertaining and intelligent Crown of Shadows: the wake of odysseus by Jason Gray Platt, receiving its world premiere at Round House Theatre. [Read more...]

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A Girl Named Destiny

April 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

We have all had the experience of passing an attractive person on the street.  While you or I might let the memory go after a minute or two, for Joe, she was the girl of his dreams and he becomes obsessed with finding her.  Playwright Rand Higbee takes the idea to comic extremes in this likeable, two-actor  A Girl Named Destiny making its premiere at Venus Theatre. [Read more...]

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Blackbird

March 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

While “two losers in love” is popular with modern playwrights, Blackbird may be the bleakest example of the genre around.  The Barrelhouse Theatre production of Adam Rapp’s play offers an interesting character sketch of a down in the dumps couple in a raw setting, but this tale of human misery only allows for sporadic moments of endearing personal connection.  [Read more...]

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Yellowman

February 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Dael Orlandersmith’s Yellowman is a story of black-on-black bigotry, parental abuse, internalized self-loathing, and alcoholism.  In other words, just another fun night at the theatre. [Read more...]

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The Gaming Table

February 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

In a new prologue written by David Grimm for Susanna Centlivre’s The Gaming Table, Tonya Beckman Ross promises verbal virtuosity and laughs.  It is a promise that is kept in spades by Folger Theatre’s sparkling and witty production of this Restoration era comedy.  [Read more...]

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An Irish Carol

December 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Matthew J. Keenan’s new play, An Irish Carol just opened at Keegan Theatre, has a gritty realism that is unmatched among the holiday fare now playing in the DC area; it’s as bracing as a shot of Bushmills, but not necessarily pleasing to those seeking something a bit milder.  [Read more...]

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Dr. Dolittle

December 6, 2011 By 1 Comment

Imagination Stage’s new musical production of Dr. Dolittle combines two stories, the traditional Dr. Dolittle tale and the story of its origins in letters written home by Hugh Lofting while away at war.  While the approach may initially puzzle the youngest children, the two stories cleverly blend to support common themes about the importance of communication and the value of cooperation over fighting.  This Dr. Dolittle is both entertaining and deeply meaningful, a cut above many children’s offerings. [Read more...]

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Beertown

November 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

As an experiment in audience participatory theatre, dog & pony dc’s Beertown is an interesting and memorable adventure.  [Read more...]

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Venus in Fur opens on Broadway to strong reviews

November 9, 2011 By 1 Comment

David Ives’ Venus in Fur, which had an acclaimed and multi-extended run at Studio Theatre earlier this year, opened on Broadway last night to strongly favorable critical response. [Read more...]

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