News: CREATIVISTS IN DIALOGUE: A Podcast Embracing the Creative Life is Now Live on SubstackFebruary 2, 2023A new local podcast, Creativists in Dialogue: A Podcast Embracing the Creative Life, launches February 1, 2023, at Creativists.substack.com. Supported in part by a fellowship to producer Elizabeth Bruce from the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, Creativists in Dialogue features thoughtful, in-depth interviews with people from all walks of life about the role creativity plays in shaping who they are.
Interview: Theatre Life with Thomas FloydDecember 29, 2022Today’s subject Thomas Floyd is someone you probably know if you are a regular reader of The Washington Post. Thomas is an arts journalist who contributes features on theater, movies, television, books and comedy for the Weekend and Style sections. He also writes theater, film, and literary criticism. That is more than enough for one person right there, but Thomas has another side to him as a writer and it’s one you might not think of.
Interview: Theatre Life with Norm LewisDecember 22, 2022Today's subject Norm Lewis is probably best known for his rich baritone sound and superb acting in several Broadway musicals. His tour de force performance opposite Audra McDonald in Porgy and Bess is still one of the great modern-day performances.
Review: Joshua Henry at Kennedy Center as part of Renée Fleming's VOICES SeriesDecember 20, 2022Every once in awhile I go to a concert and say “Wow! He/She is very talented but is trying too hard to win over the audience”. That was my impression after watching one of the stars of the current Broadway revival of Into The Woods Joshua Henry this past Saturday night at Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater.
Interview: Theatre Life with Michael UrieDecember 20, 2022Some of you might know today's subject Michael Urie from his work on the tv series Ugly Betty but his career as a stage, film and TV actor goes far beyond that one famous TV show. He can currently be seen onstage at Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) in Jane Anger playing the role of William Shakespeare. The production runs through January 8th at STC's Klein Theatre.
Interview: Theatre Life with Lissa DeGuzmanDecember 16, 2022Today's subject Lissa DeGuzman is currently living her theatre life on tour as the belting green faced witch Elphaba in Wicked. The show runs through January 22nd in the Opera House at Kennedy Center.
Review: CHRISTMAS with Michael W. Smith and Michael Tait at Capital One HallDecember 14, 2022After almost 40 years the first man to popularize Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) is still going strong. Michael W. Smith’s musicianship, skills as a composer, and entrancing vocal style has helped audiences of all denominations appreciate the word of God in a way that isn’t preachy. He gets the message across through his compositions and vocals.
Interview: Theatre Life with Aaron PosnerDecember 12, 2022Today's subject Aaron Posner is what I call a GOD of DC theatre. He is arguably one of the best interpreters of Shakespeare, Chekov, and so much more. His current production of The Tempest (co-director and co-adapter with Teller, yes, of Penn and Teller) is onstage at Round House Theatre through January 15th. The show is a co-production with Aaron's frequent DC theatre home Folger Theatre.
Interview: Theatre Life with Lauren PekelDecember 1, 2022Today’s subject Lauren Pekel is currently living her theatre life as the Production Stage Manager for what is easily one of the more technically complex productions running in DC theatre right now. Nightly (with two matinees) at Studio Theatre, Lauren calls over 300 light cues and close to 100 sound cues for People, Places and Things. The show runs through December 11th in Studio Theatre’s recently open new space known as the Victor Shargai Theatre. Did I mention her only view of the stage is through two ten-inch TV screens? Read on to see how that all works.
Interview: Theatre Life with Annabelle Lopez OchoaNovember 29, 2022Today's subject Annabelle Lopez Ochoa has one of the most prolific careers in the world of dance. Starting tomorrow evening, November 30th, you can see her work Doña Perón at the Kennedy Center as performed by Ballet Hispánico. The performance runs through December 3rd.
Review: Sanctuary City at Arena StageNovember 1, 2022Martyna Majok is easily one of the modern-day theatre’s finest playwrights. You might remember her play Ironbound being performed at Round House Theatre a few seasons ago. You might also know her as the Pulitzer Prize winning author of Cost of Living which concludes a successful Broadway run at Manhattan Theatre Club this week.
Interview: Theatre Life with Lance PenningtonOctober 11, 2022Today's subject Lance Pennington proves that longevity can be achieved while working in theatre. For 45 years, yes you read that right, he has been living his theatre life as a member of the props department at Arena Stage. His work can currently be seen with their current production of Holiday which runs through November 6th.
News: Broadway Star Nikki Renée Daniels to Teach Master Class at The Theatre LabSeptember 27, 2022The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts is thrilled to partner with the American Pops Orchestra to welcome Broadway star Nikki Renée Daniels for a one-time class for all actors and theatre lovers. Ms. Daniels will coach two advanced performers in front of an audience, giving everyone an opportunity to watch, learn, and ask questions about Ms. Daniels phenomenal acting and singing career.
Interview: Theatre Life with Adrian RiesJuly 15, 2022Adrian Ries is currently living his theatre life as the musical director for the U.S. National Tour of The Band's Visit. The show runs through July 17th in the Eisenhower Theater at Kennedy Center. For those who can't see the tour in DC, it will conclude in Richmond VA playing from July 26th to the 31st.
Interview: Theatre Life with Bree LowdermilkJuly 14, 2022Theatre Life chats with Bree Lowdermilk, one of the most talented modern-day composers working in the musical theatre. You might know her work from her long association with book writer/lyricist Kait Kerrigan.
Interview: Theatre Life with Melanie MooreJune 30, 2022Today’s subject Melanie Moore is currently living her theatre life playing the iconic literary character Scout Finch in the U.S. Tour of To Kill a Mockingbird. The show is currently in performance at Kennedy Center’s Opera House and will play through July tenth.
Review: BROADWAY IN THE PARK at Wolf TrapJune 28, 2022What did our critic think? This past weekend Signature Theatre and Wolf Trap teamed up for the second annual edition of Broadway in The Park which like last year featured some of Signature Theatre’s best performers, two Broadway headliners and a 25, yes, 25-piece orchestra. The result was a truly lovely evening of showtunes from multiple decades.
Review: JOHN WILLIAMS 90TH BIRTHDAY GALA CONCERT at Kennedy CenterJune 27, 2022109 film scores, lots of symphonic music, and the music you hear during the Olympics doesn't even begin to properly describe a true living musical legend like John Williams. His 50 years and 29 film association with Steven Spielberg is the longest relationship in film between a director and a composer.