By Joel Markowitz Strings, Organs, Ravens, Benefits and Should’ves AND THEY CALL IT PUPPET LOVE … You have to hand it to these theatres. It’s puppets…puppets… puppets everywhere! First they appeared this year in Studio Theatre’s elegant production of The Long Christmas Ride Home, and next year they will appear from November 27-December 9th at […]
Archives for February 2007
Bohemians (Bohemios)
A co-production from Teatro de la Luna and Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia Reviewed by Rosalind Lacy (L-R): Kathy Hankins, Alvaro Rodríguez, Adriana González (Photo: Raymond Gniewek) Even though Spain was politically unstable in 1904, composer Amadeo Vives found peace from living with freedom in his heart. He looked to the past to […]
Drama Under the Influence
Produced by American Century Theater Submitted by Debbie Minter Jackson Mary McGowan (left) and Jennifer Robison (right) Photo: Jeffrey Bell The American Century Theater’s Drama Under the Influence at the Gunston Theater in Arlington (TACT) is a clever compilation of short plays by early 20th Century female playwrights. Once again, TACT has shown that […]
The Constant Wife
Produced by Olney Theatre Reviewed by Debbie Minter Jackson Michael McKenzie as John Middleton, F.R.C.S. and Ashley West as Marie-Louise Durham The Constant Wife at Olney Theater is best savored as a rich delicacy enjoyed over a full evening, a change in pace from the quickie snacks of today’s fare. W. Somerset Maugham (yes, that […]
Twelfth Night
Written by William Shakespeare Produced by Firebelly Productions Reviewed by Tim Treanor Closeted conspirators: Dave Daniels (Aguecheek), Brian Lee Huynh (Fabian) and John Tweel (Belch) (Photos Ray Gniewek) This is good Shakespeare. This is damn good Shakespeare. Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare’s most difficult comedies, full of implausible developments and astonishing cases of mistaken identity. […]
Shakespeare’s ‘The Rape of Lucrece’
Produced by Washington Shakespeare Company Reviewed by Tim Treanor Betsy Rosen (foreground) and (l to r) Denman C. Anderson & Abby Wood (Photo: Ray Gniewek) The Washington Shakespeare Company had originally planned to stage a production of King Lear, but when actor Brian Hemmingsen fell ill the Company substituted an even more interesting choice: it commissioned local playwright […]
Vigils
Produced by Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company Directed by Colette SearlsReviewed by Gary McMillan Naomi Jacobson, Michael Russotto, and J. Fred Schiffman (Photo: Stan Barouh) Death doesn’t take a holiday, it’s grounded on standby in Woolly Mammoth’s superb production of Noah Haidle’s Vigils. I must first note that Colin K. Bills very nearly steals the show […]
The Small Things
Produced by Solas Nua Reviewed by Ronnie Ruff Podcast with Kate Debelack by Joel Markowitz with Lorraine Treanor (follows the review) Chris Davenport and Kate Debelack (Photo: C. Stanley Photography) Irish playwright Enda Walsh, who was recently appointed Playwright in Residence for Dublin’s Abbey Theatre, is becoming very familiar to Washington audiences. His 2005 play The […]
Crazy for Lypsinka!
Theatre Schmooze by Joel Markowitz Podcast by Joel Markowitz with Lorraine Treanor Lypsinka: The Passion of the Crawford Written and performed by John Epperson Studio Theatre until Feb. 25th Part One: Setting the Stage: Memories It’s rapid fire craziness – visually stunning and colorful, has funny costumes, impeccable lighting and sound and watching the lip-synching […]
Gem of the Ocean
Produced by Arena Stage Reviewed by Debbie Minter Jackson Lynnie Godfrey as Aunt Ester (Photo: Scott Suchman) Gem of the Ocean reminds us why August Wilson is considered by some to be the Shakespeare of our time. Beautifully mounted at Arena Stage, it is nothing short of an epic. Issues involving Honesty, Redemption, Forgiveness, Self-love, […]
Crave
Produced by Signature Reviewed by Ronnie Ruff (l to r) John Lescault, Kathleen Coons, Deborah Hazlett, Joe Isenberg (Photo: Carol Pratt) It just may be that Crave is the most unusual production I have seen in the entire history of DC Theatre Reviews. Those keeping notes should scribble in their notepads now that this is […]
Orson’s Shadow
Produced by Round House Theatre Reviewed by Tim Treanor Kathryn Kelley and Wilbur Edwin Henry (Photo: Stan Barouh) Imagine Noises Off, Michael Frayn’s comedy about a grade-Z theater company’s attempt to put on a farce (or read about Arena’s production of it here). Now, substitute theater icons Orson Welles (Wilbur Edwin Henry), Joan Plowright (Connan […]