A roundup of some of this week’s theatrical news and notes from Shakespeare Theatre, Imagination Stage, Studio Theatre, Arena Stage, Synetic Theater and La-Ti-Do.
Shakespeare Theatre Company Welcomes Back Will on the Hill
The Shakespeare Theatre Company will present the 13th Annual Will on the Hill, a favorite bipartisan event of theatre and political fans alike, on Monday, June 15.
This year, the popular event will feature a staging of Midsummer Madness, an original play by Peter Byrne, directed by STC Associate Artistic Director Alan Paul.
The cast includes STC Affiliated Artist Edward Gero and Samira Wiley, known to TV audiences as Poussey in Orange is the New Black.
Of course, the “real” stars of Will on the Hill are the Members of Congress and Washington insiders who are invited on stage to perform a political satire infused with Shakespearean language and references.
The evening will also include a performance from students in Text Alive!, a free arts integration program offered by STC to D.C. area schools, which teaches Shakespeare’s plays through performance and adaptation. This year, students from Virginia’s West Springfield High School present their disco-style take on the wrestling scene from As You Like It.
Proceeds from the event support STC’s numerous education, artistic, and community engagement programs including in-school workshops and online learning resources that inspire new and diverse audiences and deepen the connection to classical theatre in learners of all ages.
Will on the Hill will take place in Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW), and begins with a VIP cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by the performance at 7:30 p.m., and a buffet dinner immediately after the performance.
Among those scheduled to appear are Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Susan Davis (D-CA), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Donna Edwards (D-MD), Janice Hahn (D-CA), Jim Himes (D-CT), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Jim Moran (D-VA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jared Polis (D-CO), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Dina Titus (D-NV), Mike Turner (R-OH), and Ryan Zinke (R-MT).
Details and tickets
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World Premiere Musical Based on The Parent Trip to Play Imagination Stage
Double Trouble, a world premiere musical based on the timeless film, The Parent Trap, will be staged at the Imagination Stage from June 24 to Aug. 14.
Just like the film (and Eric Kästner’s novel Lottie & Lisa which served as its muse), Double Trouble follows the story of twin sisters who meet unexpectedly at summer camp, not knowing the other one even existed. The two concoct a scheme to switch places so that each can spend time with the Mom or Dad they have never known.
The show is directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer and adapted for the stage by David S. Craig. Lauren Williams and Sarah Lasko star as twins, Lottie and Lisa, respectively. The show also stars Jamie Smithson as Arnold and Amaree Cluff as Sophie, otherwise known as the twins’ parents.
Tickets start at $10, and can be purchased online at imaginationstage.org, at the Imagination Stage box office, or via phone at 301-280-1660. Group rates are available.
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Holly Twyford Directing Mary-Kate Olsen Is in Love
Studio Theatre is presenting the much buzzed-about Mary-Kate Olsen Is in Love on its 2nd Stage for a three-week engagement that ends June 21.
The show stars Katie Ryan as Grace, a 27-year-old woman married to her high school sweetheart, who find she isn’t as happy as she should be. Will she find comfort in the friendship of the Olsen twins or is she merely a pawn of their target demographic?
Holly Twyford, coming off the critically acclaimed staging of Holcroft’s Edgar & Annabel at Studio, directs.
For more information, visit studiotheatre.org.
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Arena Stage Seeks Proposals for 2015-16 Kogod Cradle Series
Playwrights, ensembles and theater companies interested in participating in the 2015-16 Kogod Cradle Series as part of the American Voices New Play Institute, should submit proposals to Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater by June 15.
Currently in its fourth season, the Kogod Cradle Series supports the exploration and development of new and emerging work in Arnea’s intimate 200-seat Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.
“I love this series,” says Molly Smith, Arena Stage’s artistic director “The Kogod Cradle Series allows Arena the ability to provide a space and forum for artists and smaller companies to experiment and grow and encourages our audiences to experience the full range of artistic voices in our community. The Kogod Cradle Series may be the first step in a project or it can be the linchpin that propels a small piece to the main stage.”
Last year’s series featured staged, developmental workshop presentations of three projects, including Room at the End of the Hall, a two-person play by Rocco Natale about estranged twin brothers and their troubled past, produced by The Wild Root Company; Blue Viola, a contemporary opera from UrbanArias featuring a libretto by Matt Boresi and a blues-infused score by Peter Hilliard; and Moon Lake Productions’ A House of Glass, a musical play about the life of Tennessee Williams, featuring a book and lyrics by Shelley Herman Gillon & Harriet McFaul Pilger and music by Paul Leavitt.
Those interested should propose exciting new work that has a sense of inquiry in form and process, including works-in-progress, workshop productions and open rehearsals. This work may come from companies, ensembles or individual artists.
The application is available at http://arenastage.org/artistic-development/work-with-us/. Proposals are due June 15 for consideration for the upcoming 2015-16 season.
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Synetic Theater Brings Back William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
In 2010, Synetic Theater’s staging of William Shakespeare’s classic, A Midsummer Night’s Dream earned nine Helen Hayes Award Nominations, taking home the awards for Outstanding Ensemble and Outstanding Resident Play.
After remounting numerous times over the last five years—including a tour of Mexico for the 2014 Festival Internacional—it returns to the Synetic Theater from July 15 to Aug. 9.
Directed by Paata Tsikurishvili, the playful adaptation of Shakespeare’s timeless comedy features trademark movement-based visual storytelling.
The cast includes Alex Mills as Puck, Irina Tsikurishvili as Titania, Philip Fletcher as Oberon, Irina Kavsadze as Hermia, Peter Pereyra as Demetrius, Emily Whitworth as Helena, Scott Brown as Lysander, Irakli Kavsadze as Nick Bottom/Egus, Dallas Tolentino as Snug/Theseus, Tori Bertocci as Francis Flute, Scott Turner as Tom Snout, Katherine Fratini as Hippolyta, Kathy Gordon as Peaseblossom, Janine Baumgardner as Mustardseed, Lauren Brown as Cobweb, Randy Snight as Moth, Koki Lortkipansze as Robin Starveling, and Vato Tsikurishvili as Quince.
Tickets start at $35; student tickets start at $20. Senior citizens and military receive $5 off. Group discounts are available. For more information, visit synetictheater.org.
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La-Ti-Do Announces Scintillating Summer
The popular La-Ti-Do weekly musical theatre cabaret and spoken work series continues its summer of fun on June 8 with a show featuring cast members of Folger’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. A Gay Pride show follows on June 15, Jade Jones appears on June 22 and a memorable night of ’80s Boybands and Girlbands fill the stage on June 29.
In July, the series will feature local DC favorite Bayla Whitten (Signature Theatre’s Beaches, Elmer Gantry) and in August it partners with DC Actors for Animals every week for a show on the James Hoban patio.
Curated and hosted by Don Michael Mendoza and Regie Cabico, the show takes place at James Hoban’s Irish Restaurant & Bar (1 Dupont Circle) and features some of Washington, DC’s best and brightest stars, and plenty of surprises.
For more information, visit latidodc.wix.com/latidodc
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