Reviews

Review: Man of La Mancha at Shakespeare Theatre Company

Reviews March 25, 2015 Betsy Marks Delaney

There aren’t enough superlatives in the English language to describe the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s spectacular production of Man of La Mancha, which opened on Monday to a packed house at Sidney Harman Hall.There is simply no need to travel all the way to Manhattan to take in Broadway-caliber theatre. It’s right here, with all the fire, passion, and intensity of any show on the Great White Way.

We bear witness to the opening as the prisoners in Allen Moyer’s steel cage of a set mill about,

Review: God Don’ Like Ugly at Venus Theatre

Reviews March 23, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

There are no such thing as accidents. In tarot cards. Nor in theatre; particularly not when a fierce and evocative play finds its way to the Venus Theatre stage. Bursting into Feral 15: Feminist Fairytales, No Strings Attached, Artistic Director Deborah Randall sets the season’s bar exceptionally high with the world premier of Doc Andersen-Bloomfield’s God Don’ Like Ugly. A visceral and poignant tale that struggles to find rays of hope and light among the bleakness of a tragic and violent reality,

Review: That’s BaltAmoŕe! A Fairytale on Wheels at Fluid Movement

Reviews March 22, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie— That’s BaltAmoŕe! Literally a Fairytale on Wheels, this exciting and unique production comes forth from Fluid Movement— a Baltimore-based performance art group that juxtaposes complex subject matter with delightful and unexpected mediums. Known for their summer-time water ballets and roller-skating shows throughout the year, the company sets out family friendly entertainment that is accessible to everyone. This uniquely fractured fairytale,

Review: Almost, Maine at The Ruxton Players

Reviews March 21, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Jeezum Crow! Why aren’t more of us living life like the nice folks up in Maine? You know, the way life should be? Well, the good folks of The Ruxton Players are doing just that. Back on their feet with an impressive production of John Cariani’s Almost, Maine, the community theatre is embracing love in all its formats with this heartwarming series of stories. Directed by Bill Kamberger, these eight interwoven vignettes reminds us all that love is a powerful entity and that we should embrace it every chance we get,

Review: Freedom’s Song: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War at Ford’s Theatre

Reviews March 19, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

We cannot escape history; the good, the bad, the beautiful, the ugly. 150 years ago on April 14, 1865 one of the greatest forefathers of our country was assassinated inside of Ford’s Theatre while attending a production of Our American Cousin. Commemorating this national event that helped shaped the nation as we know it today, Ford’s Theatre has commissioned a brand new musical Written by Frank Wildhorn, Gregory Boyd, and Jack Murphy to capture the essence of the greatness of Abraham Lincoln and the world in which he lived during a time of Civil War.

Review: Shrek at Charm City Players

Reviews March 19, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

It’s a big bright beautiful world, with possibilities everywhere— including the Charm City Players as they mount their spring musical production of Shrek. The big green ogre and all his friends from the original DreamWorks animated feature movie are coming to the CCP stage all spring long. Directed by Stephen Napp with Musical Direction by Kathryn Weaver, this musical party is showing that traditional fairytales are indeed overrated. The Books and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and Music by Jeanine Tesori reminds theatergoers everywhere to wave your freak flag and to wave it proud.

(L to R) Shaun Mykals, Jhermaine Drakeford, Joseph Eldridge, Bryan Jeffrey, Cedric D. Lyles, and Tavonne Hasty

Review: Sincerely, Men at ArtsCentric

Reviews March 19, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Music is our saving grace; we can save the world through music. Though it’s said that the sequel is never as good as the original, ArtsCentric is defying that logic with their new musical revue Sincerely, Men. Following the smashing success of last summer’s production of Sincerely, Me, the all female version of African-American artists who have had a strong influence in shaping music through the decades,

Review: The Dum Dums at Glass Mind Theatre

Reviews March 18, 2015 Jeffrey Gangwisch

If you enjoy intimate theatre, if you’re invested in supporting local and innovative performance companies, if you are as excited as I am to see the science-fiction genre further explored on-stage, stop reading this review and buy a ticket right now for Glass Mind Theatre‘s The Dum Dums. Once you’ve seen it, come back here and we can talk about some things.

The play is technically immersive and impressive,

Review: The Spoof, The Whole Spoof, and Nothing but The Spoof at Hexagon

Reviews March 16, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

60 years is a very long time to be poking fun at politics and not have gotten arrested. In a form that is true to satire, where absolutely everybody leaves offended, Hexagon is proud to present their 60th Anniversary show: The Spoof, The Whole Spoof, and Nothing but The Spoof. As Washington’s only original political satirical musical comedy revue, Directed by Malcolm Edwards with Musical Direction by Brock Holmes, this zippy,

Review: Rumors at The Heritage Players

Reviews March 15, 2015 Lauren Beward

The Go-Go’s may have had their lips sealed, but The Heritage Players are letting theirs loose in their latest production of Neil Simon’s “Rumors.” Directed by Damien Gibbons, with Assistant Director Katie Sheldon, “Rumors” tells the story of a group of wealthy socialites who gather for the anniversary party of their good friend Charlie Brock, Deputy Mayor of New York, and his wife Myra. Unfortunately, the poor guests show up to find that Charlie has attempted suicide and Myra has gone missing.

Review: The Revelation of Bobby Pritchard at Iron Crow Theatre

Reviews March 15, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

There are some things that have to be said. Baltimore playwright Rich Espey is saying them loudly and clearly with his striking new drama The Revelation of Bobby Pritchard. Receiving its world premier at Iron Crow Theatre, this poignant life-altering play is a reckoning of the times; a true engagement of lifestyles juxtaposed against religious beliefs. Espey’s work will not be done justice in print and must be seen to be fully appreciated,

Review: 13 Dead Husbands at Cohesion Theatre Company

Reviews March 13, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

It’s a little too fantastical to be true. A theatre company that sprouts up overnight on the side of Charm City where there’s no theatre, and then proceeds to do incredible work like the regional premier of 13 Dead Husbands. But it is true at Cohesion Theatre Company where they are launching the Tom Horan absurdist fairytale. Meet Deedee, the world’s most beautiful woman, and her 12 dead husbands,

Review: Doctor Caligari at Pointless Theatre

Reviews March 12, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Ladies and Gentlemen! Step Right up! Witness the marvelous morose, the wondrous strange, the nightmares that inspire ephemeral fantasticality! Pointless Theatre presents an honest theatrical masterpiece with their production of Doctor Caligari, a devised theatrical ensemble extravaganza that entrances the mind, stimulates the senses, and shakes the core of reality in a surreal and fascinating fashion. Directed by Matt Reckeweg, this homage to the 1920 German Expressionist film The Cabinet of Dr.

Review: Time Stands Still at Peter’s Alley Theatre Productions

Reviews March 11, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

The camera is there to record life, not change it. A startling fact of life when dealing with war-torn unsettled countries; but in all facets of life, whether it is war or theatre, are not our recordings merely meant to document the ephemeral rather than shift the outcome? Peter’s Alley Theatre Productions presents Pulitzer Prize-Winning playwright Donald Margulies’ Time Stands Still; a compelling drama that investigates the purpose and conflicts that arise from living the life of the observer in a world of terror.

Review: Spamalot at Silhouette Stages

Reviews March 7, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Life is really up to you, you must choose what to pursue! Set your mind on what to find and you’ll find an epically entertaining production of Monty Python’s Spamalot at Silhouette Stages in Columbia. Directed by Debbie Mobley and Conni Ross, with Musical Direction by Michael Tan, the humor of Monty Python, Book and Lyrics of Eric Idle, and Music of John Du Prez come shining through to the brighter side of life on the narrow stage of Slayton House.

Review: Sunset Boulevard at Reston Community Players

Reviews March 4, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

It’s magic in the making over at Reston Community Players as they teach the world new ways to dream with their production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard. With Book and Lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton based on the film by Billy Wilder, the tragic story of Norma Desmond is played out in vivid vibrant life with a score by one of Broadway’s longest running composers. There is intrigue,

Review: The Beauty Queen of Leenane at Spotlighters Theatre

Reviews March 4, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Aye, if ye be in the mood for a poitìn bit o’ good theatre, ‘specially the dark and funny like— now mind you, not the haha out loud sort o’ funny, but the ‘oh…’ sort o’ funny— then The Spotlighters is the place to be goin’. Though bundle up, ye’ll be needin’ th’ heat once ya’ get there. Despite several setbacks, the Martin McDonagh black comedy The Beauty Queen of Leenane carries on upon the stage-in-the-square with a vigorous shake that’ll light a fire in your belly.

Review: 33 Variations at Silver Spring Stage

Reviews February 28, 2015 Patrick Albright

The past and the present collide very graciously on the Silver Spring Stage with a remarkable presentation of Moises Kaufman’s 33 Variations. The production effectively twists a gap of almost 200 years together, showing that emotions and life situations don’t change all that much through time. The play is a fictional piece inspired by Ludwig Van Beethoven’s work. It takes place in two time periods; the present, and the later part of Beethoven’s career in 1819-1822.

Review: Rabbit Hole at The Vagabond Players

Reviews February 28, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

People want things to make sense. People need things to make sense, especially when the universe upends all logic and forces grief upon life through loss. A poignant and evocative drama written by David Lindsay-Abaire, Rabbit Hole examines loss and more importantly coping and moving forward with loss in a world that no longer makes sense to those that have suffered. Directed by Eric C. Stein, this Vagabond Players production hits the mark in taking a myopically focused drama and making it readily available for everyone who has suffered loss in their life.

Review: Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp at The Puppet Company

Reviews February 21, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

The Puppet Company in Glen Echo will show you a world; shining, shimmering, splendid! Their production of Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp is a truly unique and magical experience for young audiences. Working brilliantly with hand-crafted rod-puppets, Company Co-Founder Christopher Piper Directs and performs in this enchanted fairytale written by Vera C. Hughes and Allan Stevens. Sticking closely to the original story as featured in 1001 Nights,

Review: Spamalot at The Milburn Stone Theatre

Reviews February 21, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

God, the all-knowing, has misplaced a cup and has tasked King Arthur of Camelot, along with his rag-tag bunch of British knights, to find it. As it turns out, it’s hiding at the Milburn Stone Theatre way up in North East Maryland. Look no further on this quest for grails, Broadway shows, and knights who say “Ni” as Monty Python’s Spamalot has been found. Directed by S. Lee Lewis with Musical Direction by Shane Jensen,

Review: Bucket of Blood at The Yellow Sign Theatre

Reviews February 20, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Life is an obscure hobo bumming a ride on the omnibus of art. But what makes art? And who determines what is art? The artist makes the art and the critics determine if it is actually art or not; or so I’m told. The Yellow Sign Theatre is making art of a bold and bloody variety. In this darkly unsettling, albeit humorous, stage adaptation of Roger Corman’s A Bucket of Blood,

Review: Shrek at The Suburban Players

Reviews February 17, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Let your freak flag wave! Let your freak flag fly! And it’s waving high and proud over at the St. Demetrio’s Suburban Players as they celebrate their 40th season with a production of Shrek the musical! Directed by John Desmone, this fairytale masterpiece has a happy ending for everyone who comes to see it. A truly remarkable production, the Suburban Players are getting their happily ever after on and it’s a giddy delight.

Review: The Arsonists at Maryland Ensemble Theatre

Reviews February 16, 2015 Joshua Engel

Maryland Ensemble Theatre picks up in the back half of their 2014/201g season with a fiery smart and dark comedy. The Arsonists is Max Frisch’s satirical look at the banality of evil. Directed by Gerard Stropnicky, the new translation by Alistair Beaton is sure to light a fuse of laughter through the audience with its twisted elements of absurdism. Intent on proving how simple it is for human beings to be manipulated into bringing about their own destruction,

Review: Cherokee at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

Reviews February 15, 2015 Betsy Marks Delaney

We sometimes think we visit our souls when we enter a museum, take a stroll on a beach, or walk through a forest. We search for a key to connecting with our roots or with reality when we take that drive-by study of unfamiliar culture or lifestyle. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company‘s new world premiere work, Cherokee by Obie Award-Winning playwright Lisa D’Amour, directed by John Vreeke, seeks to expose the subtext beneath those superficial whims that drive us to seek that connection.

Review: The Addams Family at Toby’s Dinner Theatre

Reviews February 14, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Full Disclosure: The Addams Family has risen up from the shadows and gloom and descended upon the stage of Toby’s Dinner Theatre. This wickedly entertaining new musical comedy is making its regional premier in the round; a tour de force of hilarious comedy, intoxicating dancing, and the creepiest of kooks all on one stage! Directed and Choreographed by Mark Minnick, with Musical Direction by Ross Scott Rawlings, this charming, feel-good family fun musical is a tremendous success with extraordinary talent to be enjoyed all evening long.

Review: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Kensington Arts Theatre

Reviews February 13, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Sensational— adj. “extraordinarily good; conspicuously excellent; phenomenal.” The latest production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Kensington Arts Theatre is sensational. S-E-N-S-A-T-I-O-N-A-L. Truly a gift to the musical theatre performance genre, this highly engaging and entertaining musical, with Music and Lyrics by William Finn and Book by Rachel Sheinkin, will put a smile on the audience’s faces. A delightfully comic and touching fun show, this audience-interactive and fully immersive experience is one of the best to cross their stages and an excellent representation of the impressive talent and concepts that are conceived in community theatre.

Review: Boeing, Boeing at Montgomery Playhouse

Reviews February 11, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

Attention all passengers: Arts Barn Airline would like to welcome you aboard flight Montgomery Playhouse 1969. Boarding now through the main stage boarding gate, this flight’s final destination is Paris. The in-flight entertainment will feature the uproarious farcical comedy Boeing, Boeing. Your flight’s Captain, Lisa Holland, ensures a roaring good time will be had by all throughout the duration of the flight. Please ensure to remain seated for the duration of the flight,

Review: The Metromaniacs at Shakespeare Theatre Company

Reviews February 11, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

A call has been issued throughout Washington DC to all the dames and dandies

Grab your tickets, get your seats; don’t forget your drinks and candies

A troupe of actors, performers in tights, as you’ll read here on this page

Perform for you an evening’s comedy; they shall traipse across the stage.

Shakespeare Theatre Company, running David Ives’s new comic jewel

The Metromaniacs,

Review: Ruined at Everyman Theatre

Reviews February 9, 2015 Amanda N. Gunther

The door never closes at Mama’s Place. Everyman Theatre is holding that door wide open as the 2015 New Year starts. Entering the back end of their 2014/2015 with Lynn Nottage’s Ruined, Everyman brings to the stage the harrowing and haunting tale of life in a small town in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where civil war is eminent, every man is danger, and the palm wine and the dancing are the only things that chase away the horrors of reality.