When looking at a production of Venus in Fur that is opening at this specific time in our history, the beginning of the fall of 2014, two separate lines of thought begin to form. First, here is a play about, essentially, the power dynamics in a male/female interaction. There is an inherent discrepancy built in, as […]
The Cole Porter Project from In Series
What does one expect when attending an event called The Cole Porter Project? Given the composer-fronted name and the producing company (the In Series, primarily known for their accessible opera work), I imagined a fairly simple review of some of Porter’s classic tunes, plus a few of the lesser-known gems. A handful of great performers […]
Ed Dixon’s new musical Cloak and Dagger at Signature
In his interview with DC Theatre Scene, Ed Dixon, writer, composer, lyricist, and co-star of Cloak and Dagger, makes specific reference to The 39 Steps, Broadway’s newly classic minimalist farce, in his pursuit of a “zany, light, and fun” throwback film noir adventure. It’s a pretty high benchmark to set for oneself, and a high […]
Children of Eden in Concert at The Kennedy Center
Sometimes, when I’m struggling to figure out what to say to begin a review, I take stock of the way I felt when I walked into the theatre. After all, what is a review, if not the equation of “expectation ± bias ± experience”? Sometimes you have to look around at the beautiful Eisenhower Theatre, […]
Megan Hilty a smash at the Kennedy Center
I’m not one who is prone to turning into a “fanboy.” Part of my joy in seeing cabarets in the Barbara Cook series at the Kennedy Center has been the “Stars, they’re just like us!” vibe that comes from everyone’s presence in the small Terrace Theatre (or, for Mandy and Patti, the Eisenhower, a.k.a. the […]
Barbara Cook’s Spotlight: Brian d’Arcy James
In every trip I make to a cabaret performance, I pay particular attention to the personal connection the performer wants to make with his or her audience. It’s the classic actor question: Ok, you’ve been given a stage, and an audience full of people here to watch you do whatever you want…and, go!
Beaches
I’ve gotta hand it to Signature Theatre – they sure know how to put on a show. Going to see a musical at the Shirlington company’s home will offer you certain guarantees. Cleanliness. Polish. A cadre of the region’s best musical theatre talent at every rung of the ladder. A few shiny gems of the […]
Mamma Mia!
I believe that every diet needs the occasional spoonful of Marshmallow Fluff directly out of the jar. I have a fond memory from a few years ago. I’d never seen Mamma Mia! and was about to see the movie for the first time. Now, this was right in the throngs of my musical theatre conservatory training, […]
An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin
In my other reviews, I’ve made mention of cabaret as a fascinating opportunity with a name artist. Tonight, it’s just artist and audience, me as me, you as you, and we will share something directly, it seems to promise. There is a sense of palpable excitement at the opportunity of receiving this vulnerability before the […]
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
You’d never think “Pulitzer Prize-winning drama” to look at How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. It’s too unpretentious. Too breezy. Too fun.
Slings and Arrows: Season 3:06 “The Promised End”
“I could have done this all summer.” – Ellen “Me, too.” – Barbara There’s a boatload of quotes in this episode, about finality, theatre, art, redemption, transience, and all sorts of beautiful concepts, and I had a harder than usual time picking one. After all, this is it, the last time I do this! I […]
Slings and Arrows: Season 3:05 “All Blessed Secrets”
Geoffrey: “Lear loses everything…and it is only when he is all alone, naked in a storm, that he is able to find…” Oliver: “His dignity.” The thing about rock bottom is this…it’s always far below where you thought it was. Secrets are seeping out all over the place around the companies of King Lear and […]