Homebound’s episode nine “Refuge” begins with poetry. And dance—the hazy figure of a woman in her living room moving to the sound of her own voice as the camera cuts to Maboud pulling an old poem, titled the “The Convergence of Sweet Things,” from a box and reading. With subtle joy. “Because, perhaps, this thing […]
Archives for June 2020
Recommended shows to catch this weekend
May 22, 2020 Arena Stage Free View below or view later Arena Stage adds filmmaker to its accomplishments with May 22, 2020, a filmed docudrama, directed by Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith, which captures one day in the life of our region. Playwrights, including Audrey Cefaly and Psalmeyene 24, interviewed ten D.C.-Maryland-Virginia people ranging […]
Review: Fringe favorite Brian Feldman’s #txtshow (on the internet)
“If the performance sucks, it is 100% your fault, divided by the number of people here.” So the audience was informed toward the end of #txtshow (on the internet), which I experienced last night via Zoom, the suddenly-nearly-ubiquitous platform that allowed me to leap time-zones and be a part of the Colorado premiere (as part […]
Music for the Movement: I’ll Rise Up by Andra Day
My name is Pamela Jafari. I am a Washingtonian senior who is Black, lesbian, a mother, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother. I have a 26 y/o grandson, and 3 y/o great-grandson, who I am always concerned about their welfare of these Black young people in America. I am a playwright and a member of […]
Bring an artist’s performance into your home, or at least to your driveway.
Have you ever wished that your living space could be re-imagined by a set designer? Or that you could gift a personalized greeting or concert by a favorite performer? Or that a theatre artist could help out your landscaping with a new rock garden design? Or maybe you’d like to cheer up a friend or […]
Signature Theatre announces Eric Schaeffer departure amidst allegations of sexual assault
Arlington’s Signature Theatre announced today that Eric Schaeffer, the co-founder and only Artistic Director the company has ever had, will retire from that position and leave the company on June 30. Schaeffer’s retirement comes on the heels of sexual assault charges by two actors, Thomas Keegan and Joe Carlson. Keegan claimed that Schaeffer grabbed his […]
Review: Where are we headed? Round House Theatre’s Homebound, Part 8, “Community”
Craig (Craig Wallace) has found his feet in this week’s episode, “Community,” by Agyeiwaa Asante. He’s been able to run 2.23 miles to honor Ahmaud Arbery, and now he can’t stop running. And, while he’s pounding the pavement in a very purple t-shirt (Prince, always close to his heart), Chinna, his glorious niece, is pounding […]
Flying V Board dismisses Artistic Director Jason Schlafstein
Bethesda’s Flying V Theatre’s Board of Directors has terminated the employment of Artistic Director Jason Schlafstein. The action comes three days after the Board placed Schlafstein on administrative leave following allegations on social media that Schlafstein engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct while serving as Artistic Director. In posting Schlafstein’s suspension on Facebook, the Board revealed […]
Should the show have gone on? Shakespeare Theatre’s Mock Trial litigates Midsummer Night’s Dream
Order in the living room! There is no bottom to Washington’s taste for litigation, but Shakespeare Theatre’s Mock Trial went beyond itself last night, charging Nick Bottom and the rest of the Rude Mechanicals with a contractual violation which they, ah, didn’t actually commit. The Supreme Court of Athens met via Zoom last night – […]
Watch Hamilton movie trailer ahead of its July 3 premiere on Disney+
The film version of the Broadway musical phenom, Hamilton, will premiere on streaming service Disney+ starting July 3. Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda first posted the trailer on his Twitter account Sunday, with the note: “May you always be satisfied.” Originally scheduled for a theatrical release in 2021, the film captures live Broadway performances over several […]
Juneteenth celebrations: Antonyo Awards, Alvin Ailey, IN Series and a nationwide new play reading
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day that a regiment of Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the end of the Civil War and the emancipation of the enslaved peoples of Texas. On January 1, 1980, Texas became the first state to declare Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day and Freedom […]
Samuel Beckett’s literary agent tried to close Joy Zinoman’s 1998 Waiting for Godot. How she prevailed.
1998 was promising to be a banner year for Joy Zinoman and her Studio Theatre. Already settled into a stunning new building which opened the previous year that shone with what Washington Post architectural critic Benjamin Forgey called an “inner glow,” the company was winning kudos for its positive impact on a long-derelict neighborhood, and […]