BWW Review: Scena Theatre's SOMEONE IS GOING TO COME is Paranoid and Provocativeby Barbara Johnson - January 11, 2017Robert McNamara directs three Scena Theatre veterans in the Washington-area premiere of SOMEONE IS GOING TO COME, Norwegian writer Jon Fosse's absurdist exploration of magnified paranoia. Thanks to excellent acting and attention to detail, the experience is tense, at times grating, and interesting to witness. BWW News: A Look at the State of the Theatre in DC with Jane Horwitz, Nelson Pressley and Celia Wrenby Elliot Lanes - January 9, 2017For theatre lovers in our area, we always look forward to what our theatre companies have in store for us in their upcoming seasons. We look to see if there are any trends that stand out to us as audience members. We also see growth in many companies with each new season of shows. Anyone that's been following DC theatre for a while will notice how things have changed in the last twenty or thirty years. One of the biggest examples of this would be the clean up and revitalization of 14th Street, which had direct implications for Studio Theatre and Source. BWW Review: Fiasco Theater Gets Creative with INTO THE WOODS at Kennedy Centerby Jennifer Perry - December 9, 2016While those seeking a similarly scaled production to the original Broadway production (or even the revival) might leave the Eisenhower Theatre somewhat disappointed, those open to experiencing a new interpretation of the familiar material might leave feeling they've had an opportunity to look at an old favorite with new eyes. Perhaps they might better appreciate what drew them to the story in the first place. BWW Review: BLACK NATIVITY at Theater Allianceby Andrew Burrill - November 30, 2016Langston Hughes' "Gospel Song-Play" chronicles and celebrates the birth of Jesus and the unique cultural identity and heritage of Black Americans. This joyous musical compels us to look inward and find the wonder in life. This performance is recommended for audiences of all ages. BWW Review: Creativity Abounds in MOBY DICK at Arena Stageby Jennifer Perry - November 27, 2016As presented at Arena Stage, Lookingglass Theatre Company's 'Moby Dick' offers many theatrical surprises that are sure to enthrall nearly any theatergoer looking for something a little different this holiday season. BWW Review: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE is Bleak and Beautiful at the Kennedy Centerby Barbara Johnson - November 23, 2016The plot of A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE is straightforward, and the source material by Arthur Miller is pretty good, but the spectacular staging of this classic work at the Kennedy Center elevates what could have been a fairly pedestrian family drama to atmospheric heights. The very definition of 'catharsis', this spellbinding production stuns with stripped-down, potent emotion. BWW Review: Rodgers and Hammerstein's CAROUSEL Sparkles at Arena Stageby Barbara Johnson - November 14, 2016There's something about a classic, standard musical that tugs at the heartstrings. Maybe it's the the swelling orchestra, the time-honored songs, or the amazement that an old love story can feel new again. Under the direction of Molly Smith at Arena Stage, Rodgers and Hammerstein's CAROUSEL is all of the above. BWW Interview: Sarah Celec of THE LARAMIE PROJECT at Shenandoah Universityby Christopher Castanho - November 9, 2016In October of 1998 Matthew Shepard, a twenty-one-year-old University student was kidnapped, beaten, and left to die on a fence on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming. The reason for his killing: he was gay. One of the first murders to be labeled a hate crime, it brought attention the lack of 'hate crime protection' several states possessed. Five weeks after his death, Moises Kaufman and other members of the Tectonic Theater Project traveled to Laramie and interviewed its citizens for a whole year after the event. This is the true story of how residents in Laramie, Wyoming reacted to the murder of Matthew Shepard. BWW Review: WIND ME UP, MARIA! A GO-GO MUSICAL at Georgetown Universityby Elliot Lanes - November 7, 2016Natsu Onoda Power is one of the most creative forces in DC theatre. With such credits as Yellow Face at Theater J and Astro Boy and the God of Comics at Studio Theatre, Power's productions are always visually stunning and very clear in the way she tells a story. This review starts as it does because I want it to be perfectly clear that I am a big admirer of Power's work upfront. Unfortunately, her latest endeavor goes against everything I just said. BWW Review: DEBBIE ALLEN'S FREEZE FRAME…STOP THE MADNESS at Kennedy Center Takes on Gun Violence with Both Barrelsby Elliot Lanes - October 29, 2016An epidemic of senseless gun violence and police brutality is sweeping through the United States. Trayvon Martin and Freddie Grey are two of the more famous examples of this. Award winning actress, choreographer, and writer Debbie Allen takes a no holds barred look at this all too hot topic in her theatrical/dance/ multimedia extravaganza Freeze Frame...Stop the Madness. I always knew that Debbie Allen was a force of nature as an actress in any show she's in and this show is no exception. She plays a few roles, but is also the director, choreographer, and writer. This is one of the first times I have actually seen that working scenario prove successful as one person usually can't do it all. Young Artists of America Presents: THE WIZARD OF OZ IN CONCERT, 10/29by Andrew Burrill - October 28, 2016The performance will take place on October 29th at 4pm at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. It will feature narration by Host and Moderator of WETA's Around Town and SiriusXM's Symphony Hall, Robert Aubry Davis, as well as 120 students from across the DC-Metro area who comprise the Young Artists of America Orchestra and Vocal Ensemble. BWW Review: Spooky Action Theater Waxes Philosophical with RAMEAU'S NEPHEWby Barbara Johnson - October 24, 2016Spooky Action Theater opens its season with a cutting-edge play that covers politics, celebrity, and the nature of genius. RAMEAU'S NEPHEW, adapted from an 18th century work by Denis Diderot, is hardly new, but this 2016 incarnation is as timely and amusing as can be. Director Richard Henrich delivers a production with flashes of outright brilliance that compensate for a few (non-fatal) flaws. BWW Review: ALL THE WAY LIVE! at Kennedy Center is Oh So Fly!by Elliot Lanes - October 14, 2016Put your hands in the air and wave them up high; it's time to talk about (say it with me!) All the Way Live! The Kennedy Center and B-Fly Entertainment co-commissioned this high-energy and well-crafted show and I can truly say it is a match made in hip-hop heaven. BWW Review: DEMO: HEROES at Kennedy Centerby Elliot Lanes - October 13, 2016Melding all forms of the arts into a cohesive program is never an easy task. Former New York City Ballet dancer Damian Woetzel is trying to do this with a series called Demo, which brings artists from the worlds of theatre, dance and opera together on one stage. BWW Review: THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME Wows at the Kennedy Centerby Jennifer Perry - October 10, 2016Let's just get right down to it. In 2014, Simon Stephens' highly acclaimed and award-winning play THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME (based on Mark Haddon's novel of the same name) offered me one of my most memorable Broadway theatergoing experiences in years. Thus, I was most enthused by the news that it would tour, and play the Kennedy Center. While the cavernous Opera House may not be the most appropriate Kennedy Center space to view the play - especially from the rear orchestra where I was sitting - the current tour offers just as powerful of a theatergoing experience as my initial one.
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