RS24 feels as though it takes place in Washington, DC in an era when the city was still known as Chocolate City and Egyptian Musk incense wafted through every record store and head shop in the city. The main character has a reverence for “vintage” music – think Donny Hathaway, Earth, Wind and Fire, Phyllis […]
Our 20 most memorable shows of 2019
What matters most, when all the theatrical offerings for 2019 have been made, is what lingers in the minds and hearts of the audience. We asked our writers and the Gary Maker Audience Award recipients to think back over the year, and tell us their most unforgettable shows. Here they are in alphabetical order. Ain’t […]
Review: Black Nativity at Anacostia Playhouse
The message of the production of Black Nativity that is currently playing at Anacostia Playhouse is clearly stated in the words of the gospel composition by Edwin Hawkins: “Jesus Christ Is the Way.” During the second act (or more aptly, the testimony service portion) of this production one fervent celebrant testified: “Talking about religion will […]
It took Stephawn Stephens more than 15 years to get Jacquelyn Hawkins on stage. Now she’s singing up a storm in A Nite at the Dew Drop Inn
“At Last.” Etta James. If reading those words starts the soulful 1960’s hit playing in your head, then you will understand the supreme confidence director Stephawn P. Stephens had in handing the song to Jacquelyn Hawkins, the one performer, among his seasoned cast, making her stage debut in A Nite at the Dew Drop Inn at […]
Review: A Nite at the Dew Drop Inn’s singers raise the roof in this tribute revue
Yvette Spears is one of those performers who sings with her whole body and soul. Medleys start deep in her throat and nearly consume her as she belts out the blues, whether she’s scolding her way through “That Ain’t Right” or tackling Dinah Washington’s desperately plaintive “This Bitter Earth.” The blues take center stage during […]
American Moor review. Keith Hamilton Cobb in a magnetic performance
Keith Hamilton Cobb (or at least, the actor he’s playing) isn’t exactly afraid that his director might accuse him of playing the race card when it comes to his opinions over Othello. Once that young, white director decided to stage that play, he says, the man picked up the entire “race deck.” To be clear, […]
Anacostia Playhouse robbed on Christmas Day. Recovery support needed for the Playhouse and Theater Alliance
As reported by Prince of Petworth: “Today, December 26th, the day after Christmas, our friends at the Anacostia Playhouse came to work and discovered they had been robbed. Thieves broke in and stole several laptops and computers, a tablet, box office cash, blank checks and credit cards (which they quickly used to make unauthorized purchases). As […]
Review: Driving Miss Daisy at Anacostia Playhouse
I wasn’t planning to catch this – the Morgan Freeman/Jessica Tandy movie was enough, so I passed on all the other enticing offerings. Yes, the play is beautifully written and quaint, and ends with a touching reminder of how interconnected we really are, but the servile implications and gentility of the Old South – well, […]
Happy Ending, a 1965 comedy, marks the beginning for promising black actors and writers in DC
Is Washington, D.C. ready to support Black theatre produced by a new Black theatre company? I recently had the opportunity to speak with Ella Davis, co-founder of All About the Drama Theatre Group and director of Douglas Turner Ward’s 1965 play Happy Ending, now playing at Anacostia Playhouse.
Review: Douglas Turner Ward’s Happy Ending at Anacostia Playhouse
You may have heard of Douglas Turner Ward’s 1965 Day of Absence, but might not be as aware of his other one-act play that was often performed as a full evening. Here’s a chance to finally catch his comedy Happy Ending, produced by the relatively new All About the Drama Theatre Group in collaboration with Anacostia Playhouse.
Review: The Trans-Atlantic Time Traveling Company
Just when you wondered what else Holly Bass would do with her arsenal of skills in hip-hop, dance, spoken word, poetry and theater, she snaps us into shifting realities. This workshop production of The Trans-Atlantic Time Traveling Company celebrates the strength of black women traveling through time all while embedded in vaudeville silliness.
Holly Bass on how the Starbucks arrest references her latest, The Trans-Atlantic Time Traveling Company
The Trans-Atlantic Time Traveling Company, Holly Bass’ latest work, conceptualizes one of the most urgent ideas of our time: what it means to be free and how we can all move towards an equitable and just society. The multidisciplinary performance and visual artist teams with Theater Alliance and the Anacostia Playhouse for 6 special performances.