From its sleekly stunning set to its phenomenally talented cast, Round House Theatre’s new production of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus is first-class all the way. It’s a visceral, enthralling evening of theater, an absolute must-see for any avid area theatergoer and proof positive that you no longer have to take the Acela Express to New York to find a definitive production. [Read more...]

This is a meditation on the romance of the tragic drunk; the Yeats-quoting dipsomaniac who so feels the world’s pain that it is necessary for him to polish off three-quarters of a bottle of Jameson each night. You may have one of them in your family, or know someone who does, particularly if you’re Irish. He’s sweet, and witty, and generous, and…and passed out near the back door, the smell of whiskey so strong upon him that you dare not light a match nearby. [Read more...]

Readers familiar with the science fantasy A Wrinkle in Time will likely be mesmerized by this energetic production at Round House.  The rest of us can still be captivated by the wonder of traveling Wrinkle’s strange universe even if we might occasionally scratch our collective heads wondering what the bleep is going on. [Read more...]

Moments of great strife in American history, from the Civil War, to the Great Depression, to 9/11, have  wrought considerable pain, suffering, and sadness, while inspiring some of our greatest and most vital works of art. In their explosive, moving Ameriville, theater collective Universes utilizes the prism of Hurricane Katrina to explore forgotten corners of our fractured American landscape, ultimately painting a dire, yet hopeful vision of our struggling nation. [Read more...]

Few things are more delectable than watching someone get away with murder. Especially if they do so with enviable panache.

Tom Ripley, the chameleon-like sociopathic hero of Patricia Highsmith’s novels, is one such reprobate you loathe yourself for loving. Scheming, audacious and just plain lucky, Ripley elegantly defies morality and convention. His homicidal hoodwinks were the subject of five novels, a 1999 movie starring Jude Law and Matt Damon, and a 1998 British stage play by Phyllis Nagy. [Read more...]

As much as Lou Grant hated spunk, I hate whimsy. It’s a dastardly thing to capture, and most of the time things meant to be whimsical usually make me want to fall on a wee little knife.

That said, Round House Theatre’s Around the World in 80 Days is a capricious charmer, with director Nick Olcott distilling the right amount of Edwardian-era fancy into the production without glopping things up with preciousness. [Read more...]

Round House Theatre’s production of Thomas Gibbons’ Permanent Collection is a reminder that some of the most memorable theatre arises out of confrontation.  The battle over control of an art museum and foundation provides an excellent setting for a study of racial politics.  [Read more...]

With the same exciting energy that she brought to In the Heights, Quiara Alegria Hudes has penned touching reflections about a family dealing with estrangement, remorse, and cultural dissonance as fifteen year old Olivia blossoms into maturity.  [Read more...]

You probably know about The Picture of Dorian Gray, at least in broad outline. After having his portrait painted, a man goes through life without aging, remaining as healthy and vigorous as the day he was painted. [Read more...]