Review: LA BOHÈME at Wolf Trap
Directed by John Caird and, for this revival, Katherine M. Carter, the production featured a talented cast of emerging opera stars, Studio Artists (many of whom were in featured roles), additional chorus members and the Children’s Chorus of Washington. This large cast filled the stage with excitement, love, and ultimately profound grief.
Michael Bublé and Snoop Dogg Join THE VOICE as Coaches
According to a panel at NBCUniversal's upfront presentation, Snoop Dogg and Michael Bublé will be joining The Voice for Season 26. Both musicians have appeared on the music competition series in the past, Snoop Dogg as a mega mentor in Season 20 and Bublé as an advisor to Team Blake in Season 3.
Review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at Ford's Theatre
Horrors! Ford’s Little Shop disappoints. Little Shop of Horrors is a cult favorite with catchy score of rock and doo-wop tunes. But the latest version at Ford’s Theatre underwhelms. The fun has run out.
Review: SONGBIRD at Kennedy Center
There’s an awful lot of death in opera, Timothy O’Leary, the general director of Washington National Opera, lamented on a recent opening night. And those plentiful tragedies are also often further burdened with overbearing scores, turgid storylines, super-large casts and strident if not shrill performances.
Interview: Theatre Life with Psalmayene 24
Today’s subject Psalmayene 24 is someone we can aptly classify as the whole package when we talk about artists in the DC theatre community. He is an accomplished writer/actor/performer and educator whose work has been enjoyed by audiences of all ages over the years. Currently Psalmayene 24 is the director of Arena Stage’s current Power Play entitled Tempestuous Elements. The show is currently playing in the company’s Fichandler space through March 17th.
Cynthia Erivo is Doing Her Own Stunts & Singing Live in the WICKED Movie
Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the two part Wicked movie, revealed this morning that she does her own stunts and is singing live in the film. Erivo stars alongside Ariana Grande in the screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, and Michelle Yeoh also star in the Jon M. Chu-directed movie.
Review: THE LION, THE UNICORN, AND ME at Kennedy Center
Ten years ago, Washington National Opera (WNO) premiered a family opera about the events leading up to the birth of Jesus in a manger. This past weekend, The Lion, The Unicorn, and Me returned to Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater for four performances only. I reviewed the premiere, and it was as good as I remembered – and possibly even better on second listening.
Photos: Inside the Kennedy Center Honors, Honoring Billy Crystal, Renée Fleming, Barry Gibb, Queen Latifah, and Dionne Warwick
The 46th Kennedy Center Honorees Billy Crystal, Renée Fleming, Barry Gibb, Queen Latifah, and Dionne Warwick were celebrated in Washington, D.C., at the Honors Gala on December 3, 2023 in the Kennedy Center Opera House.
Interview: Theatre Life with Jeanine Tesori
Today’s subject Jeanine Tesori is a two-time Tony Award winning composer whose work spans the gamut from large scale and chamber musicals for Broadway to grand opera and beyond. Her holiday children’s opera The Lion, The Unicorn and Me premiered ten years ago at Kennedy Center as a commission for Washington National Opera (WNO). The work will be returning to Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater for a one weekend four performance engagement on December 8th through 10th.
Review: ROMEO AND JULIET at Kennedy Center
The oft-told tale of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet which has been beloved throughout the ages and been interpreted and showcased in so many films, stage productions and even a ballet ---has been mounted by the Washington National Opera in an odd sort of manner. In composer Charles Gounod’s opera, the music is bewitching and should be the glory of the opera, but it should be paired with a text that is respected.
Review: GROUNDED at Kennedy Center
The beautiful blue skies that Jess, an F-16 fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, soars through from the mighty heights above soon become mottled with dismal greys ---as she plummets into mental despair and confusion after being Grounded. In the paradigm-changing opera which is a World Premiere by the Washington National Opera, Jess continues to work (after pregnancy, marriage, and having a daughter) as a professional who pilots drones remotely from a trailer park in Las Vegas.