Sometimes it doesn’t take an assassination, an earthquake, or a war to make headlines. Sometimes a production stocked with dazzling dance moves, a gifted cast, and catchy melodies is enough to get the public’s attention. Which is exactly the case at the National Theatre, where Newsies is running through the end of the month.
‘Noticeable departures’ mark next seasons for Constellation, Center Stage and National
Musician Tom Teasley’s percussive talents will orchestrate two shows for Constellation in 2015-2016, but Tom will undoubtedly be sitting out both Equus (Jan 14 – Feb 14) and the show which landed Constellation in this ‘Noticeable Departures’ piece – the company will be producing Avenue Q. (Oct 22 – Nov 23).
There is Nothing Like a Dame, Edna (Review of her Glorious Goodbye)
“You couldn’t write that,” said the guy in the seat next to me at Tuesday night’s opening of Dame Edna’s Glorious Goodbye: The Farewell Tour, in town for a week (closing April 26th) at the National Theatre.
Chicago’s John O’Hurley is back playing his favorite role, slickster Billy Flynn
John O’Hurley is one of those actors who everyone seems to recognize. The veteran character actor has been a fixture on TV for more than three decades, finding his breakout role as J. Peterman on Seinfeld.
Broadway’s original Pippin, John Rubinstein, is back in the show. Pippin: then and now
If you are old enough and lucky enough to have seen Bob Fosse’s original run of Pippin when it first premiered on Broadway from 1972-75—a run of 1,944 performances—you may have seen a boyish looking John Rubinstein—complete with an unforgettable ’70s perm—playing the title role.
Donny and Marie, wowing the crowd with Christmas at the National
How’s this for a headline for Donny and Marie: Christmas at the National? “Singing siblings prove mythical fountain of youth is real?” Sure, that opening might be more at home in a supermarket tabloid, but it’s the truth. Donny and Marie Osmond, the all grown up boy and girl next door performers, have either found […]
Donny Osmond on the Donny and Marie Christmas show at the National
For millions of people growing up in the ’70s, spending the holiday season watching the “Osmond Family Christmas” with your loved ones was a tradition akin to watching a red-nosed reindeer or a snowman with magic in his hat. That’s why it was no surprise that when the legendary brother and sister team of Donny […]
Imagination Stage and National Theatre team up to bring children’s theatre to DC
There was big news coming out of Imagination Stage’s 2014 Annual Gala last month as the nonprofit arts organization announced it would expand its programmatic offerings at its Bethesda location, and also announced a new alliance with The National Theatre, which will bring children’s theater to DC.
Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage
At a key moment in the Dirty Dancing musical, currently kicking off its national tour at the, er, National, Samuel Pergande’s Johnny struts through the audience, mounts the stage, walks confidently up to a table and delivers the line the audience has been waiting for since they entered the theater. Hell, since they bought their […]
Doug Carpenter from Dirty Dancing – he’s having the time of his life
When he was 12, Doug Carpenter attended his first-ever professional show at the National Theatre, watching awestruck over the powerful music and story of Rent. Now, almost two decades later, the actor is making his National debut in the touring production of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage.
West Side Story still cool
One of my earliest memories of listening to music as a child was playing the West Side Story movie soundtrack over and over on a small, red plastic record player in my basement. Over the course of the next 40 years, I have seen more stage productions than I can count and the incredible score […]
Blue Man Group – a cure for the blues
The Blue Man Group has been entertaining audiences since 1987 and has regular homes in New York, Chicago, Boston, Las Vegas and other cities around the world. Thanks to a new tour, DC audiences have the chance to see this uniquely gifted theatrical trio of blue-faced mimes over the course of the this week at […]