Olney Theater’s plan for their new rendition of Godspell, which opened this past weekend, was simple but effective: gather some of DC’s best powerhouse vocal performers and pour them all into the ensemble of a musical known for being packed start to finish with songs. For the most part, Godspell delivers on its promise of […]
Dickens’ Christmas Carol: Paul Morella does it solo
“My goal is that they [the audience] will never look at the story the same way again. This is not your Mama’s Christmas Carol.”
Disney’s The Little Mermaid makes a big splash at Olney
In 1989, a certain Disney film swore to every attentive child that “life is the bubbles under the sea.” Now, 25 years later, Olney Theatre Center’s The Little Mermaid confirms that it’s still worth spending some quality time with the blowfish, crabs, octovillains and merfolk who inhabit their most recent production.
Awake and Sing! at Olney Theatre Center
It’s amazing how topical something from the 1930’s feels and fits right here and now when it’s a classic, expertly cast and directed. Awake and Sing! depicts one family’s story, one of the first to chronicle Jewish family scenes without derision or ridicule. The show starts with everyone seated for a family meal, an automatic […]
Colossal’s leading men: Michael Patrick Thornton and Joseph Carlson
The triumph and courage seen in Colossal, now onstage at Olney Theatre Center, is played out in a manner unlike most well-made plays. It’s not only centered on a former college football player; the guts and glory of the gridiron also serves as the basis for the play’s structure. According to actor Joseph Carlson, “It’s […]
Colossal at Olney Theatre Center
During the football drama Colossal the central character recalls the sensation after being hit for the first time. “I’m alive. You cannot hurt me.” The irony of that feeling of youthful invincibility is that he later winds up paralyzed from a football injury. How he deals with that injury and flashbacks to the events leading […]
Avenue Q, another hit musical at Olney
In one of the most shocking and controversial Tony results ever, Avenue Q took home best musical in 2003, defeating the much flashier, more star-studded and much larger-scale production of Wicked. The outcry from people wondering how Jeff Whitty’s little show (with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx) about puppets could take […]
August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson at Olney
Rollicking, driving and at times as plaintive as a blues song sung against a starless night, Olney’s production of The Piano Lesson by August Wilson plays a melody of feelings you can’t get out of your mind.
Review: In the Mood at Olney Theatre Center
About twenty years ago, a James Caan-Mandy Patinkin movie called Alien Nation imagined the existence of a drug which enabled – indeed, compelled – users to work endless hours under subhuman conditions, cheerfully. It was addictive, both to the users and to those who took advantage of their supernal efforts. In the movie, decent men […]
Hedda Gabler at Olney
Hedda is, always has been, and always will be, a piece of work. She languishes in pools of longing, waiting and “expectation.” Everyone has experienced such moments of “is this all there is??” Hedda lives them outright, in 19th century bustling gowns, and despite being a rather unlikable character, she evokes recognition, clarity, and moments […]
Fortier, Lane make Elephant Man fly at Olney Theatre
The Olney Theatre Center does a brave thing in taking on The Elephant Man, a beautiful, seductive, dangerous play…and thanks to stunning performances in the two principal roles and savvy directing, the gamble succeeds.
Cole Porter’s Anything Goes at Olney Theatre Center
Cole Porter’s Anything Goes is infectious, once it gets stuck in your head it sticks around for days, weeks even. At the grocery in front of the frozen veggies you find yourself humming that infectious tune, likewise at the Starbucks getting your big mocha latte and at the metro stop. hell… even at your desk at work! The […]