If Alexandra Petri’s “Connect!” – which opened Round House Theatre’s weekly web series Homebound – was a prologue, then Karen Zacarías’ “Human Resource” offers some rising action, ratcheting the series way up with sweet notes and a laughable setup for next week’s show that makes me ready to come back for more. Warning: Spoilers ahead. […]
Review: Round House Theatre’s Homebound: Episode One, “Connect!”
The first episode of Round House Theatre’s new weekly webseries Homebound is a quick, slick, fluid slice of life in the pandemic. The opening sequence—a close-up of hand washing as if it’s an extreme sport followed by the required forehead temperature check—encapsulates the reality of America these last six-ish weeks. Then, flashes of the quarantine […]
Review: Spring Awakening at Round House Theatre, sex, rock and musical
Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik’s musical Spring Awakening, which opened on Broadway in 2006, was a real-life Cinderella story for its creators and young cast. Despite unconventional origins—a storyline based on an oft-banned 1891 German play about sexually repressed teenagers, combined with an eclectic folk-rock score—the sleeper hit went on to win 8 Tony Awards […]
Tonya Beckman on Spring Awakening at Round House and the relevance of the 2006 musical to teens and parents today
Bethesda-based Round House Theatre will be staging the groundbreaking musical Spring Awakening under the direction of Alan Paul. Previews begin January 22nd. Set in the late 19th century Germany, the musical follows a repressed group of teenagers dealing with their emerging sexuality. With book & lyrics by Steven Sater and music by pop star Duncan Sheik, […]
2020 Visions. Theatre leaders tell us what lies ahead.
We asked area theatre companies to tell us what they were most looking forward to in 2020. Their answers surprised us! Contributors: 4615 Theatre Company . American Ensemble Theater . American Shakespeare Theatre Company . Arena Stage . Avant Bard Theatre . Brave Spirits Theatre . Capital Fringe . CulturalDC . Folger Theatre . Happenstance […]
What ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ tells us about truth, self-deception and lies
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is playing in a delightful production that you should see, if you can, at Round House Theatre in Bethesda. It is a mystery. It is a paean to the courage of children. And it’s the kind of show that – just for an ecstatically delusional moment […]
Review: School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play at Round House
“Jubilant!” Strange word to describe a play about skin tones, a mean girl with a foul mouth, and the lasting affects of colonialism. Yet, no other word works when it comes to School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play, which takes a page from that other Mean Girls, as maybe you guessed, to navigate the […]
Round House Theatre in Bethesda reveals its major makeover. Here’s what you’ll see when you visit.
After being out of house since January to make room for extensive renovations, Round House Theatre in Bethesda, Md., has unveiled its new space just in time for its exciting 2019-2020 season, and it is spectacular. The 400-seat theater has been closed since the beginning of the year to make way for improved acoustics and […]
Free Community Days at DC area theatres start this Saturday. DC shifts into party mode
With 32 shows rehearsing for September openings, the 2019-2020 season is about to start in earnest and there are some awesome free celebrations going on. Round House Theatre Bethesda, MD August 24 11:30am – 6pm More details With the completion of its massive makeover, Round House Theatre, out of house for much of last year, […]
Review: A Doll’s House, Part 2. Funny, sharp and smart
The door slam heard around the world. Has there ever been a more memorable exit than Nora Helmer banging the door closed on her life, marriage and children in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House–other than perhaps the odd stage direction in Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale: “Exeunt, pursued by bear.” Nora’s action shook audiences in 19th […]
Review of Oslo. Round House Theatre’s cast brings heat to Nordic high-stakes drama
If someone told you to run down to the Lansburgh Theater to see a three-hour play about back-channel diplomatic negotiations between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Army (PLO), you’d probably think they were a wee bit bonkers. Or stimulation-deprived. That’s precisely what I’m telling you to do—peel yourself away from “Game of Thrones” and take […]
Justin Weaks on his first August Wilson experience, Gem of the Ocean
Round House Theatre’s staging of Gem of the Ocean presents the August Wilson classic in powerful, ambitious fashion. Under the direction of Timothy Douglas, the production has been enthusiastically embraced by critics and audiences, earning it an extended run. Gem of the Ocean is the first installment of the playwright’s 20th century decade-by-decade, 10-play chronicle, which is set […]