Rachael F. Goldberg

Improvised Shakespeare Company’s productions may not be faithful recreations of the Bard’s works, but their play off the familiar while indulging in the joy of bringing something new and unique makes for a wonderful theater experience.

'Gods & Mortals: A Celebration of Wagner' is a beautiful, if limited, array of performances and works highlighting both the composer and Kennedy Center’s own wonderful talent.

'Who Did It?' is a fun, silly, and engaging experience, and its improvised nature ensures it continues to entertain, even for those who make it an annual tradition.

Oppenheimer gives a great performance and a wonderful perspective on some of the core issues that many of us struggle with today, but flails a little when she tries to project onto others. Which, in a way, makes sense – after all, it’s harder to see the other sides of the story beyond your own.

Famed Irish drag queen Panti Bliss leads the audience on an emotionally satisfying journey in her one-woman show, 'If These Wigs Could Talk,' reflecting on her own internal journey as she considers the role she’s played over the years and where she fits in today’s modern landscape.

Theater J closes new Artistic Director Hayley Finn’s first season on an enchanting high note. 'The Hatmaker’s Wife' is an emotional, charming, and thoughtful story about love in all its complexities.

There’s unfortunately little about the current tour of 'Little Women' that will bring this show new audiences. It often feels like the purpose of the musical may be more to tell the sisters’ love stories than to tell the story of their love for each other, and the production choices for this tour do little to save it from its lackluster material.

'Reefer Madness' is an incredibly smart and pointed show impersonating something far more pedestrian, and NextStop Theatre Company manages to capture this perfectly without ever feeling overproduced or trite.

'Unknown Soldier' is a beautifully performed show with a fascinating exploration of memory, love, and loss, but its main flaw is that it is a show seeking out answers to a mystery it not only fails to resolve, but further convolutes at every turn. While there’s truth in that, it’s also a little dissatisfying, as life itself often is.

Signature’s production of 'Penelope' insists that Odysseus’ wife “has some things she wants to say.” If only she would.

'Where We Belong' is a beautiful production, with a gorgeous script and an entrancing quality that can be attributed to the best of theatrical experiences. It shares some hard truths, some heart-wrenching moments and realizations, and challenges perspectives, but the love and care that shines through the whole production is incredibly compelling.

Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production of 'As You Like It' is fun and playful, and it often feels that the cast, creative team, and audience are having an absolute blast together. With a strong team both on and off the stage, there’s an ease and joy that permeates every aspect of the production that’s undeniable.

'Malavika Sarukkai: Anubandh – Connectedness' explores a narrative with a universalized touch – one that helped build the connections central to the piece itself. The added elements of poetry, music, and chanting create an ethereal and somehow familiar feeling to the overall performance.

NextStop Theatre Company’s kickoff to its tin anniversary is delightful, hilarious, and engaging. The joy the cast and crew infuse into the performance is palpable and compelling, creating a shared experience that truly elevates live theater.

In a stunning US premiere, Stephen Laughton’s beautifully moving 'One Jewish Boy' tells the heartbreaking story of a couple’s relationship, and examines the impact of trauma and the different ways we process it.

'Hurricane Diane' is a fun and thought-provoking production, though you’ll certainly have more fun if you don’t think too hard about the technicalities of the show itself. There’s a lot to enjoy, and a good takeaway message, and, sometimes, that’s enough for an enjoyable theatrical experience.

'Unseen' is a heartfelt and heartrending production that covers difficult topics, but somehow manages to leave the audience feeling hopeful. Mona Mansour's script is beautiful and poignant, and the team at Mosaic brings it to life with care, heart, and impressive artistry.

Avant Bard’s production of Julius Caesar is thoughtful, charming, and thoroughly entertaining. It’s well worth the trip over the river for Shakespeare fans and critics alike, and will hopefully change the way you view the classical figure and play that loom so large in our world.

Covering a topic as fraught as the US involvement in Afghanistan can be difficult and deeply painful, but Signature’s production of 'Selling Kabul' manages to be honest, unflinching, and compassionate without losing sight of who matters in its tale.

'Incognito' is a beautiful, thoughtful play, and Constellation Theatre Company’s production is brimming with passion and talent. We may not ever fully understand what makes us who we are, but the cast and creative team at Constellation have certainly figured out what makes a good show.