theatreWashington theatreWeek Opens with Kevin Spacey Gala, Continues thru 4/29

theatreWashington has announced its first annual theatreWeek, presented by The Washington Post. Kicking off with the 28th Helen Hayes Awards tonight, April 23rd, theatreWeek will celebrate Washington's world-class professional theatre while introducing new audiences to it's diverse offerings. theatreWeek 2012 runs through Sunday, April 29, 2012.

theatreWeek activities include:

Today, Monday, April 23
The Helen Hayes Awards and Ovation Gala honoring excellence in Washington theatre & actor Kevin Spacey
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm at the Warner Theatre and JW Marriott Hotel.

Wednesday, April 25
Washington Professionals and Washington theatre get linked-in at Show Tunes & Cocktails 2.0 with Joshua Morgan.
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Napoleon's Bistro and Lounge in Adams Morgan.

Thursday, April 26
Theatre Critics: It's Only Their Opinion, What They Do and How They Do It, a conversation with Washington Post Theatre Critic Peter Marks and some of his esteemed colleagues
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm at TBD location.

Friday, April 27
A sneak peek of In Rehearsal, the new book by actor and director, Gary Sloan
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm at Busboys and Poets, 14th and V Street, NW.

Saturday, April 28 (with additional events on April 22, 27 & 29)
Play Time: Workshops, Classes and Tours for kids at 13 theatres throughout the entire region. Join theatreWeek Play Time at Adventure Theatre, Compass Rose Studio Theater, Faction of Fools Theatre Company, Folger Theatre, Imagination Stage, National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, The National Theatre, the Puppet Co., Round House Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, The Studio Theatre, The Theatre Lab, and Toby's Dinner Theatre.

And all week long, Washington area theatres will be "Taking Care of Our Own" raising funds to help area artists in need.

Additional details of all events and registration information is available at www.theatrewashington.org.