Benjamin Tomchik - Page 5

Signature Theatre's Jelly's Last Jam is a stylish and swanky affair that radiates with soulful energy.

The problem with Donald Freed and Arnold M. Stone's play is that it barely scratches the surface in exploring an otherwise complicated man.

We all have our inner geeks, so why not indulge them by taking in this delightful show at Capital Fringe.

Next to Normal may not have Hamilton's name recognition; however it easily ranks as one of the greatest musicals of this century. Provocative and funny, topical and emotionally stirring, it's the musical art form at its best. DC theatergoers now have a fantastic opportunity to see the 2010 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Drama in a powerful, yet intimate, production at Keegan Theatre.

After the events of the last few days, it feels cathartic to be in a theatre and laughing again. Thankfully there's Signature Theatre and the sensational duo of Tracy Lynn Olivera and Happy McPartlin in their new cabaret Make 'em Laugh.

Studio has presented another facet, to perhaps, one of the theaters most multifaceted characters.

The absurdity of political scandals, gender identity and self-expectations are fully explored in Keegan Theatre's superbly acted An American Daughter.

Jersey Boys is back in DC with a production that is hypnotizing and memorizing audiences, causing them to the move and groove in their seats at the National Theatre.

In many ways All the Way is tailor-made for Washington audiences, and for Director Kyle Donnelly, who grew up in a die-hard Democratic household and whose father was a civil rights lawyer. It also reunites Donnelly with Arena, a company whom she "loves" to work with.

Combined together, the resumes of actress Tracy Lynn Olivera and director/choreographer Marcia Milgrom Dodge feature just about every great musical from the golden age of Broadway, except one.

Forum's chilling production will certainly keep you in suspense.

The music stylings and influences of Vietnam were on full display with World Stage's The Odyssey: from Vietnam to America.

With Road Show, Signature Theatre once again proves why they are DC's leading interpreter of Stephen Sondheim's work.

Watching Guards at the Taj, you can't help but notice that the philosophical debate between the two guards is still ongoing in various facets of society - that of the idealist versus the realist, struggling to find common ground. That's what makes this a thought-provoking production and Joseph's words incredibly powerful.

It is a lost era of civilization, the dinner party, which Arena Stage will conjure up starting this week in The City of Conversation.

While aspects of Wendy Wasserstein's play come off as dated, it nevertheless brings comfort to those wrestling with societal expectations and struggling to discover their true identity and purpose.

There are few musicals I can say I enjoyed more on tour then when I saw the original cast on Broadway, but A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder is an exception. Clever, ingeniously witty and hysterical, it's the perfect show to beat the winter doldrums and you don't have to be a gentleman to enjoy it!

In 1949, Death of a Salesman explored the disillusionment of the American dream. Arena Stage's new play Sweat will expand on that theme and the adversity experienced by one community as rumors of layoffs swirl at a local steel mill.

Christmas came early this year for Washingtonian theatregoers and it came in the form of Elaine Paige.

Much like the lighting of the National Christmas Tree or the Boat Parade of Lights, Signature's holiday cabarets have become a welcome DC tradition. Fortunately for us, this year's edition stars the incomparable Nova Y. Payton in a heartwarming show that celebrates friends, family and the holiday standards we love.