Jesse Belsky News

'Which Way to the Stage' is a love letter – to New York, to the theater world, and to friendship. It’s entertaining and engaging, thoughtful and packed with talent. It’s an incredible experience, made for all of us theater fanatics – and for anyone who just wants to have a wonderful time.

Watch the trailer for the regional premiere of Ana Nogueira's Which Way to the Stage at Signature Theatre.

Signature Theatre has announced the cast and creative team for the play Which Way to the Stage, written by Ana Nogueira. In Which Way to the Stage, Broadway superfans Jeff and Judy eagerly await their idol Idina Menzel after her performance in If/Then at the stage door every night.

Olney Theatre Center is presenting a revolutionary production of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man that casts a Deaf actor, James Caverly in the lead role of Harold Hill.

Topical themes rule the day at the current production at Studio Theatre’s current production John Proctor is the Villain. This is a play that has good intentions to spare, fine acting, and superb production values but never quite gels as it tries to do too much at the same time.

DC’s Studio Theatre is known as a leading contemporary theater, and the subject matter of its current production can scarcely be more so. Inspired by the police killing of young Michael Brown in 2014 in Ferguson, Mo., and based on dozens of interviews conducted in its aftermath across the city’s communities by playwright Dael Orlandersmith, Under the Flood goes beyond any specific such shooting to explore African American-White relations on a much-broader and emotionally charged scale. The anger and mistrust, the occasional ties of friendship. Personal success and failure amidst social upheaval.

Casting is set for Studio Theatre's production of Pipeline, playwright Dominique Morisseau's searing drama about the school-to-prison pipeline and a mother desperately trying to keep her son from becoming ensnared in it. The production runs January 15-February 16, 2020 and is directed by Awoye Timpo. Starring are DC theatre favorite Justin Weaks (Studio's Curve of Departure) as high school student Omari and Andrea Harris Smith making her Studio debut as his mother, public school teacher Nya. In its recent People Issue, Washington City Paper's called Weaks a 'standout,' going on to say: 'D.C. theater audiences love Justin Weaks. ...Weaks came to D.C. for a job about four years ago, not expecting to stay. But he kept getting cast in shows, and lucky for local theatergoers, he's still here.'

'Occupant' is a beautiful, intimate piece about a fascinating woman, presented in a clever and engaging manner. Every element of the production is thoughtful, and it's thoroughly enjoyable to settle in for an evening with Louise and her part-admiring, part-critical interviewer.

Folger's 2019 Season opener deftly tells the tale of king's reign and the rebellion he faces, a prince burdened by expectations, and the struggles of family, honor, and duty. Rosa Joshi's production enchantingly revives this age-old tale with the help of stunning sets, expert staging, and a phenomenal cast.

Folger Theatre opens the 2019/20 season with 1 Henry IV, Shakespeare's richly layered coming-of-age tale of power, rebellion, honor, and redemption. The production is directed by Rosa Joshi (co-founder of Seattle's upstart crow collective theater company in Seattle; Henry V and As You Like It at Oregon Shakespeare Festival), who makes her DC directorial debut at the Folger.

Folger Theatre opens the 2019/20 season with 1 Henry IV, Shakespeare's richly layered coming-of-age tale of power, rebellion, honor, and redemption. The production is directed by Rosa Joshi (co-founder of Seattle's upstart crow collective theater company in Seattle; Henry V and As You Like It at Oregon Shakespeare Festival), who makes her DC directorial debut at the Folger. 

Weston Playhouse Theatre Company presents an ode to youth, life, love, and the strange beauty of human connectedness, I AND YOU (July 4 - July 21 | Walker Farm), Tues - Sat 7:30pm; Wed & Sat 2:00pm; Sun 3:00pm.

The NYC premiere of 'Handbagged,' written by Moira Buffini and directed by Indhu Rubasingham, is now on stage at 59E59 Theaters as part of Brits Off-Broadway. This unique, fascinating play captures elements of history and the stark differences between Queen Elizabeth and Margaret Thatcher

Do not miss this three hour thriller about diplomacy about the Middle East makes its regional premiere.

Oslo is an amazing against-all-odds story of risk, trust, and diplomacy. It is about overcoming hard-and-fast assumptions. Oslo shows the value in finding common ground and allowing ourselves to hope. This Round House Theatre production is a wonder-a brilliant heartfelt, heart-filling experience.

59E59 Theaters (Val Day, Artistic Director; Brian Beirne, Managing Director) is thrilled to welcome to Brits Off Broadway the NYC premiere of HANDBAGGED, written by Moira Buffini and directed by Indhu Rubasingham. Produced by Round House Theatre, HANDBAGGED begins performances on Tuesday, June 4 for a limited engagement through Sunday, June 30. Press Opening is Wednesday, June 12 at 7:00 PM. The performance schedule is Tuesday - Friday at 7:00 PM; Saturday at 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM; and Sunday at 2:00 PM. Performances are at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison). Single tickets are $25 - $70 ($49 for 59E59 Members). To purchase tickets, call the 59E59 Box Office at 646-892-7999 or visit www.59e59.org.

Even if you're not familiar with George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, you're most likely familiar with Lerner and Loewe's adaption, My Fair Lady. At the core of both is the classic question of how much can we really change our stripes? Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm gives us a modern take here with his world premiere of P.Y.G. or The Mis-Edumacation of Dorian Belle.

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Aaron Posner's JQA, recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award. The first of Posner's plays that is not adapted from an existing work, JQA shines a spotlight with humor and care on an ineffectual presidency, the idea of government and how a society lives in relationship to it, and the American experiment as it continues to evolve. Directed by Posner as well, JQA runs March 1 through April 14, 2019 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for the world premiere of Aaron Posner's JQA, recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award. The first of Posner's plays that is not adapted from an existing work, JQA shines a spotlight with humor and care on an ineffectual presidency, the idea of government and how a society lives in relationship to it, and the American experiment as it continues to evolve. Directed by Posner as well, JQA runs March 1 through April 14, 2019 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for the world premiere of Aaron Posner's JQA, recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award. The first of Posner's plays that is not adapted from an existing work, JQA shines a spotlight with humor and care on an ineffectual presidency, the idea of government and how a society lives in relationship to it, and the American experiment as it continues to evolve. Directed by Posner as well, JQA runs March 1 through April 14, 2019 in the Arlene and Robert Kogod Cradle.