It’s seldom that Howard Breitbart, one of Washington’s most sought-after pianist/musical directors, has an opening in his schedule. If not working for the major musicals producers in town, he can usually be found performing with The Capital Steps.
A Broadway Christmas Carol
In an age of uncertainty, sometimes it’s nice to get exactly what you expect. The main ingredients in MetroStage’s holiday show, back for a third season at this cozy theatre space near Old Town, Alexandria, are right there in the title A Broadway Christmas Carol: your favorite showtunes plus your best-loved Dickens.
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
As area performing arts companies crank into high gear for a frantic September of opening nights, Alexandria’s MetroStage seems to have gotten the jump on nearly everyone. Their fantastic, energetic revival of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris is already up and running. And take it from us—it’s the fall season’s […]
The joy of doing Lonely Planet . Conversations with Michael Russotto and Eric Sutton
– Michael Russotto and Eric Sutton are sharing the stage in Steve Dietz’ Lonely Planet at MetroStage. Both actors surprised and delighted me with their thoughtfulness and insights into the play. Due to schedules, I interviewed them separately and have joined our dialogues here to capture their feelings about why this play is so special. […]
Lonely Planet
Many plays dealing with the heart of the AIDS crisis feature justifiable anger and fury. Yet Steven Dietz’s 1994 play Lonely Planet demonstrates that a gentle approach can be just as powerful and touching, as it is in the excellent production now playing at MetroStage.
Be Careful! The Sharks Will Eat You!
As reflected in the simple yet telling title of the current production at MetroStage, Be Careful! The Sharks Will Eat You!, the story depicts a family’s struggle to cross the dangerous waters to escape 1960’s Cuba. This autobiographical tale opens with the writer/performer Jay Alvarez as a little sniffling four year-old being herded against his […]
Soul stirring Aisha de Haas heats up Josephine Tonight! at Metro Stage
Recently I sat down with Aisha de Haas, jazz chanteuse, Broadway singer, and repertory actress. I had just watched her performance in Metro Stage’s Josephine Tonight! where she’d knocked my socks off playing both Josephine Baker’s mother, Carrie, and “Big Bertha Smith”, Josephine’s vaudeville mentor. I wanted to learn more about this powerhouse singer.
Josephine Tonight
It’s rare for a show to grab you from beginning to end, but the long awaited Josephine Tonight does just that. It’s so hot it sizzles!
Josephine Tonight cancels two preview performances
Thurs, Feb 2, 2012 – MetroStage has told DCTS that due to the illness of a cast member, tonight’s preview of Josephine Tonight as well as the Saturday matinee on February 4th have been cancelled. The much anticipated bio musical about Josephine Baker is still expected to open Saturday evening, February 4th. Any ticket holders […]
A Broadway Christmas Carol
The earlier and earlier onset of the holiday season, marked by 24-7 Christmas radio and Santa greeting you at CVS in early November, is enough to drive a sane person underground until December 26th. However, despite the onerous onset of “Christmas Creep”, the yearly retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol somehow never goes out of […]
Savage in Limbo
Once in a while all of the stars align to create a magical theatre event like MetroStage’s production of John Patrick Shanley’s Savage in Limbo. The script, the cast, the direction, the performances, and the venue are all so perfectly in tune that the production inspires nothing but praise.
Amadeus the latest of 4 Spring shows to add performances
Critics and audiences alike are declaring Edward Gero and Sasha Olinick a triumph in Amadeus at Round House Theatre, which just added three performances, now closing June 12th. Washington loves all things Stoppard, as the MetroStage production of The Real Inspector Hound is proving. With strong ensemble acting, the hysterical locked room mystery has been […]