Shakespeare’s most iconic schemer is the centerpiece of Synetic’s fourteenth (mostly) wordless re-interpretation of the Bard’s works. The world of 15th century England is updated to a dystopian cyberpunk future, with soulless, almost robotic soldiers, technology gone rogue, a terrifying landscape upon which Synetic’s trademark physicality and visuals create a breathtakingly theatrical tour de force. […]
Review: Mary Stuart at Olney Theatre Center
One of the most fascinating political power struggles in history is being brought to life at Olney Theatre Center with a crackling and electric modernization of Schiller’s masterpiece by their Artistic Director Jason Loewith, who also directs. Queen Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots square off in a (mostly) true-to-life Game of Thrones, and sparks […]
Review: Faction of Fools’ whodunnit, The Great Commedia Hotel Murder Mystery
The Faction of Fools are at it again. After a decade adapting titles that one wouldn’t typically expect of a Commedia troupe (Henry V, Our Town and The Cherry Orchard to name a few), Producing Artistic Director Paul Reisman has penned an original vehicle for his Fools, an Agatha Christiesque whodunnit set in the Hotel […]
As You Like It review. To Brave Spirits’ show, we say “We do”
I am pleased to report a rising company of young-ish actors doing first-rate work: a conceptually cohesive, intimate, spunky, charming staging of a pastoral Shakespeare comedy all too easy to screw up (I vividly recall a painful mess a dozen years ago by an area troupe with at least 50x their budget and TV stars […]
Review: Henry IV, Part 2 at Chesapeake Shakespeare
Baltimore’s Chesapeake Shakespeare Company is presenting Henry IV, parts One and Two in repertory. Part One (not reviewed by DCTC, we regret) opened February 15th, Part Two opened March 15th, and they overlap for three weeks, offering three (now two) Saturdays where patrons can see Part One at 2pm, have a dinner break, then return […]
Queen of Basel review. Strindberg’s Miss Julie gets a fresh update and moves to Miami
If every copy of August Strindberg’s Miss Julie spontaneously combusted, and from each pile of ashes emerged phoenix-like a copy of Hilary Bettis’s Queen of Basel in its place, I could be persuaded that this is an overall net gain for literature, apart from the tears of a few theatrical purists and chauvinism apologists (not […]
Review: Pramkicker at Taffety Punk
Once upon a time, there was a woman named Jude who kicked a pram (a baby carriage). An empty one, don’t worry, but nonetheless Jude has to complete an anger management program to avoid charges, and Taffety Punk’s US premiere production of Sadie Hasler’s play (following Fringe runs in Edinburgh, London and Oslo) is about […]
Review: Folger’s alt-Macbeth, a “strange perfection”
I’ve seen Macbeth performed in the round, outdoors, in the nude, multiple film and TV versions, various homages and parodies across multiple media, I saw a spirited production last month by an emerging theatre company. But I’ve never seen a Macbeth like the Folger’s latest effort; neither have you, I’ll wager, nor anyone else in […]
Review: Macbeth. The kids are alright
If I walked into the Highwood to see the fledgling 4615 Theatre’s stab at the Scottish Play with lowered expectations, I hope my readers and colleagues can forgive me. There were numerous red flags: I hadn’t heard much ‘buzz’ about this company (going into its second season), didn’t know the director’s or the actors’ work, […]
Review: Theatre Du Jour’s The Accidental Pilgrim for Capital Fringe
If any play is a complete 180º polar opposite of the safe suburban outdoor Shakespeare I reviewed most recently, it is certainly B. Stanley and company’s inscrutable, frustrating, and nearly successful devised piece The Accidental Pilgrim at DCAC, a satellite production of the 2018 Capital Fringe Festival.
Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performed midsummer in the open air
Ah, the quintessential play set in the magical woods… and performed there as well. Park in the town lot, walk up the hill (or if you or your theatre date wore heels, take the complementary shuttle van) to the ruins of the Patapsco Female Institute where Chesapeake Shakespeare Company – an institution itself – has […]
Review: Mosiac’s The Vagrant Trilogy
Mona Mansour’s The Vagrant Trilogy, three one-acts that close Mosaic’s third season, is an engaging, troubling and eye-opening tale of displacement and dispossession on a scale that is both deeply personal and political.