[Editor’s note: DCTS had been planning to review Kennedy’s debut play Etta and Ella on the Upper West Side, before we ceased publication on Dec 31. The reading was rescheduled, and so I recommend Jonathan Mandell’s Kennedy festival review.] When I first encountered Adrienne Kennedy, through her Obie award winning 1964 play Funnyhouse of a […]
In game show American Dreams, hopeful immigrants vie for one golden ticket to American citizenship
Working Theater’s production of American Dreams, hosted in our area by Round House Theatre, is a zany, interactive “game show” sponsored by a fictitious arm of the American government (combining pharmaceuticals, transportation and immigration), where the grand prize is the ultimate golden ticket – citizenship in the “greatest nation on earth!” That’s right folks, three […]
DCTS Performance Guide for the 2020/2021 theatre season
While planning theatre in the time of Covid requires faith and flexibility on everyone’s part, we thought it valuable to show you the shows our companies hope to present. Some are virtual. Some will be in theatres once that becomes possible. This is a listing of performances. Not included are readings, panels and discussions. We’ll keep […]
Review: The illusions we build for ourselves. Round House Theatre’s Homebound, Part 9, “Refuge”
Homebound’s episode nine “Refuge” begins with poetry. And dance—the hazy figure of a woman in her living room moving to the sound of her own voice as the camera cuts to Maboud pulling an old poem, titled the “The Convergence of Sweet Things,” from a box and reading. With subtle joy. “Because, perhaps, this thing […]
Review: Where are we headed? Round House Theatre’s Homebound, Part 8, “Community”
Craig (Craig Wallace) has found his feet in this week’s episode, “Community,” by Agyeiwaa Asante. He’s been able to run 2.23 miles to honor Ahmaud Arbery, and now he can’t stop running. And, while he’s pounding the pavement in a very purple t-shirt (Prince, always close to his heart), Chinna, his glorious niece, is pounding […]
Review: Could this be love? Round House Theatre’s Homebound, Part 7, “The Date”
If any of Homebound’s episodes have been pure joy, it is episode 7, “The Date,” written by Dani Stoller, who finally finds Maboud (Maboud Ebrahimzadeh) a match in the charming pixie-ish Lynette (Lynette Rathnam, who is delightful). A match that melts his reserved, halting, and oft-nervous demeanor. How can he move to Minneapolis now (assuming Lynette […]
As a result of Gov. Hogan’s directive, Maryland theatres announce cancelled 2020 shows
Bethesda’s Round House Theatre has elected to cancel the 2020 portion of its live theater schedule, the company announced on Tuesday. “Governor Hogan’s Roadmap to Recovery outlines a phased process for reopening Maryland. As Round House falls into the final phase of that plan, it has become increasingly clear that we will be unable to […]
Review: On Prince, protests and the pandemic: Round House Theatre’s Homebound, Part 6 “Sometimes It Snows in April”
Sometimes it snows in April Sometimes I feel so bad, so bad Sometimes I wish life was never ending And all good things, they say, never last Prince wrote that in 1985 on the song “Sometimes It Snows in April” for his 1986 studio album Parade. Never released as a single, it drifted into obscurity. Until […]
Review: Pandemic life in 10 parts: Round House Theatre’s Homebound, Part 5 “Double Entendre”
Homebound’s episode 5 finds us once again with Craig (Craig Wallace), who has become somewhat of an avuncular safe haven for the various souls of Homebound. It’s easy to understand why: his kind eyes and smooth voice, which waxes both authoritative and understanding, and willingness to listen without judgment. “Double Entendre,” written by Psalmayene 24, introduces […]
Review: Pandemic life in 10 parts: Round House Theatre’s Homebound, Part 4 “Together Alone”
Homebound’s episode 4 shifts back to Maboud (Maboud Ebrahimzadeh), who’s hanging in his sweat pants, rocking a Smashing Pumpkins T-shirt (long live Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness), desperately trying to file for unemployment. He’s no longer doing temperature checks, but the madness of a truly isolated and directionless life is taking its toll. “Together […]
6 exceptional shows to watch free this weekend
Homebound Round House Theatre Free Series ends June 29, 2020 Click here If you haven’t caught on to this web series yet, there’s time to catch up. Homebound is only 3 episodes into its 10 part, 10 minute, 10 playwright series. Expanding technology takes this from its Zoom window world into the lives of its […]
Review: Pandemic life in 10 parts: Round House Theatre’s Homebound, Part 3 “We Wear the Mask”
Here is the episode that elevates Homebound, taking us out of this moment for 11 minutes virtually to show us how this moment fits into life’s larger narratives. It also takes us beyond Zoom, expanding technically, which opens the series up artistically as well. “We Wear the Mask,” written by Farah Lawal Harris, focuses on Craig, the comical potato who […]
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