We knew when we walked into the Kennedy Center Family Theater space, this was not going to be an ordinary play.  And when the central character, Ikarus, appeared, we  just knew this was no ordinary story about the new kid at school.  This curious boy, with red ribbons twisted into his hair, carrying a shiny backpack that kept twitching and yanking him out of his seat, was hiding something live back there.  [Read more...]

– This is an encore of the review, originally posted Nov 3, 2011,  of the touring production’s stop at the Hippodrome in Baltimore –

You’d kill for those shoes. And those legs. [Read more...]

If, at some point before the lights in the Kennedy Center’s commodious Eisenhower Theater dim, you wonder why am I here you may be forgiven. Ann Richards was, after all, a one-term Governor, a liberal Democrat in a deeply conservative state who was elected principally because of the ineptness of her opponent. It is, in a way, the Bob Ehrlich story in reverse, and nobody’s going to write a one-actor play about him. Part of the answer – which you will see for yourself in ten minutes when you go to the show – is this: you are here to see this rare and remarkable thing, a candid politician, who will show you the inner workings of one of the most fascinating professions in the world. And the rest of the answer is – well, wait, and let me tell you. [Read more...]

Knuffle Bunny pairs a well-meaning Dad with an active, rambunctious pre-talking youngster, and depicts the tender moments of unconditional love as well as absolute bafflement between the two.  [Read more...]

The touring production of Billy Elliot, the Musical, now ensconsed at the Kennedy Center Opera House,  is a driving, energetic, and oddly appropriate holiday feast for thoughtful theatergoers. Spun off from the eponymous film version, the stage musical has a less oppressive feel than the original. But it still packs an emotional and political punch, particularly in the context of our current economic doldrums. [Read more...]

O, Mabou Mines, what hath though wrought?

Or – overwrought?

Anyone who saw how the brilliant Mabou Mines production of Peter & Wendy at Arena Stage four years ago explored the melancholy roots of the Peter Pan story would have a right to expect that this production would open up Henrik Ibsen’s 132-year-old play, and make it relevant to contemporary audience. [Read more...]

If family theatre ratings, like Olympic diving, included a degree of difficulty factor, the Kennedy Center premiere of The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful and her Dog!  would earn a very high score.  It’s not easy to tackle the scientific method and solar fusion in a musical for children ages six and up.  Yet, thanks to enthusiastic acting, uplifting music, and a skillful production The Amazing Adventures of Dr. Wonderful and her Dog! ultimately works.  [Read more...]