By 1970, Washington, DC had long been a major college town; home to tens of thousands of young people who were trying to define their generation in opposition to the dominant values of their parents. Eventually known as “Boomers,” this postwar generation struggled to delimit what it meant to be part of the dominant culture—and […]
Archives for November 2019
Cyrano Review: Peter Dinklage Sings, Without a Fake Nose or Much Panache
Peter Dinklage’s singing voice would not normally qualify him for a role in a musical, unless in a Disney animated movie as a singing rhinoceros. But Rex Harrison couldn’t really sing either, and he was just right for My Fair Lady. In several ways, the star of Game of Thrones is an inspired hire for […]
Review: Dhana and the Rosebuds, an intriguing but unsuccessful drama on the plight of Syrian refugees
In theory, Dhana and the Rosebuds, a theater-dance hybrid about a Syrian emigree seeking her refugee grandmother, should be compelling. It is topical. Its wedding of abstract and ritualized movement, set, and prop design with an ever-so-current story is bold. It has two lead characters we reflexively sympathize with and root for. And its conscientious, […]
Review: Mozart’s whimsical The Magic Flute from Washington National Opera
Wild things abound in this production of Washington National Opera’s The Magic Flute, currently playing at the Kennedy Center. With Maurice Sendak’s artwork at its forefront, the opera’s elements of childlike whimsy makes it an entertaining night for audiences of all ages. Conventions of opera are adhered to, with all of the classical training obvious […]
Bella Bella Review: Harvey Fierstein As Rep. Bella Abzug, Gutsy and Adorable
Bella Abzug spoke at my junior high school graduation, until Donna Florio’s mother told her to shut up. “This is my daughter’s graduation, not a political rally.” Abzug paused, apologized….and kept on talking for ten more minutes, caught up in the vehemence of her argument against the latest political outrage. That’s my most vivid memory […]
Only Queen Latifah’s fabulosity kept ABC’s The Little Mermaid Live! afloat
In 2013, NBC made a splash in event television by airing The Sound of Music Live!, attracting over 18 million viewers to a live telecast of the Rodgers and Hammerstein stage musical. Ever since, other productions and networks have tried to whip up a magic combination of nostalgia, stunt casting, holiday viewership, and integrated marketing […]
HEARTSPACE from The Welders. 3.2 million year old Lucy to speak about our changing climate
Annalisa Dias, member of The Welders playwrights collective, is not one to shy away from multiple, deeply involved, projects. When we spoke on the phone, she had just returned from London, and was back to work at Baltimore Center Stage as the Director of Artistic Partnerships and Innovation. Amidst so many moving projects, she is […]
Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Lansburgh Theatre renamed for Michael R. Klein
The Lansburgh Theatre is now the Michael R. Klein Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company announced at its Gala on November 4, 2019. The new name recognizes local philanthropist Michael R. Klein, whose guidance and support has been an important key to the growth of the company. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, […]
Review: E2. British royals behaving badly. Bob Bartlett’s ambitious play gets a sexy production at Rep Stage
You’d think the big perk of being king is being able to do whatever you want. That is tragically not the case with Edward II, the duty-bound and defiant monarch of E2, an ambitious and sobering play by local scribe Bob Bartlett about the current cold wave of sexual intolerance that threatens to engulf hard-fought […]
Review: Blue Camp. Debut play reveals hidden story of queer injustice in the 1960’s military
“History does not always repeat itself,” wrote science fiction writer and editor of Astounding Science Fiction, John W. Campbell Jr. “Sometimes it just yells, ‘Can’t you remember anything I told you?’ and lets fly with a club.” That bludgeoning is what it feels like watching Rainbow Theatre Company’s world premiere production of Tim Caggiano and […]
“Young people are rising up to shape the world they want to live in.” Joe Montoya, Crutchie in Newsies
Newsies, the movie, established a cult following in 1992, with a pre-Dark Knight Christian Bale playing Jack Kelly, a 17-year-old newspaper hawker in New York City who leads the 1899 newsboys strike, protesting two of the country’s most powerful men, Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. Theater lovers came to appreciate Disney’s story and music […]
Signature Theatre will produce Mamma Mia! at The Anthem this summer.
The Arlington-based Signature Theatre announced today that it will add a brand new production of Mamma Mia! to its season, and produce the show The Anthem, one of the major concert venues in DC, located in the District Wharf area in Washington, DC.. Mamma Mia! will run for two weeks only from June 25 – […]
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