A Theatre Lover's Guide to DC/Capital Area Theatres - February 2012 Offerings

We've been very lucky with the mildest winter I can remember since I moved to the DC area in 1985. And in February the list of theatre productions gracing our local stages are diverse and offer an endless amount of possibilities. So while the snow is on vacation why not visit your Nation's Capital and take in some of these shows. Here's my list of what I am looking forward to seeing and links to other productions playing in February. Buy some tickets and support your local theatres.

SHOWS I NEED TO SEE IN PROFESSIONAL THEATRES IN FEBRUARY 2012

I am most excited about having Maurice Hines back in at MetroStage directing and choreographing another musical, and Peter Pan being given a new production at the always high-flying No Rules Theatre Company. The In Series will provide another toe-tapping intimate production at Source, Synetic Theater is introducing a new original work, Round House Theatre is presenting one of my favorite recent Broadway plays, and I can't wait to see what magic Director Shirley Serotsky will do with Federico Garcia Lorca's Blood Wedding at Constellation Theatre Company. And I love WSC's work and I am eagerly awaiting their production of Les Justes, and Yellowman at Rep Stage, and The Miracle Worker at the new Compass Rose Studio Theater - all performed in intimate spaces. And finally I am looking forward to seeing Doorway Arts Ensemble's World Premiere of Allyson Currin's Hercules in Russia, which is being helmed by the one of my favorite directors - Jessica Lefkow. It's one heck of a month coming up on DC area stages.

From February 1st to 26th, Next Fall, at Round House Theatre, in Bethesda, MD.

From February 2nd to March 4th, Blood Wedding, at Constellation Theatre at Source in Washington, DC.

From February 8th to 26th, Yellowman, at Rep Stage, in Columbia, MD.

From February 8th to March 4th, Peter Pan; the Boy Who Hated Mothers, at No Rules, Theatre Company, at H Street Playhouse, in Washington, DC.

From February 9th to March 4th, New Movements: Genesis Reboot at Synetic Theater, in Arlington, VA.

From February 9th to March 11th, Les Justes, at WSC Avant Bard, in Arlington, VA.

February 10th to March 1st, The Miracle Worker, at Compass Rose Studio Theatre, in Annapolis, MD.

From February 10th to March 4th, Hercules in Russia at Doorway Arts Ensemble, in Silver Spring, MD.

February 13th to March 11th, Civilization (all you can eat), at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, in Washington, DC.

From February 14th to 25th, Oxygen at Taffety Punk at Capitol Hill Workshop, in Washington, DC.

From February 16th to March 10th, The Language Archive at Forum Theatre, in Silver Spring, MD.

From February 24th to March 2nd, From Shuffle to Show Boat, at The In Series, at Source, in Washington, DC.

Through March 18th, Josephine Tonight at MetroStage, in Alexandria, VA.

ALSO OPENING IN FEBRUARY 2012

From February 3rd to 26th, Almost, Maine, at 1st Stage, in Tyson's Corner, in McLean, VA.

From February 8th to March 4th, Ana en el tropico/Anna in the Tropics at GALA Hispanic Theatre, in Washington, DC.

From February 17-26th, Into the Dollhouse at banished? Productions, at Flashpoint-Mead Theatre Lab, in Washington, DC.

From February 17th to March 18th, The Merchant of Venice at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, in Ellicott City, MD.

From February 16th to March 11th, Water Engine, at Spooky Action Theatre Company, in Washington, DC.

February 15-19th, Astro Boy and the God of Comics, at The Studio Theatre 2ndStage, in Washington, DC.

ALREADY OPENED AND PLAYING THROUGH MARCH 2012

Through February 4th, Romeo and Juliet at Faction of Fools, at Flashpoint at Mead Theatre Lab, in Washington, DC.

Through February 11th, Little Murders at The American Century Theater, in Arlington, VA.

Through February 12th, Ain't Misbehavin' at Spotlighters, in Baltimore, MD.

Through February 12th, La Cage aux Folles at The Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC.

Through February 18th, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, at The Keegan Theatre at Church Street Theatre, in Washington, DC.

Through February 18th, Necessary Sacrifices at Ford's Theatre, in Washington, DC.

Through February 19th, The Gallerist at Rorschach Theatre at Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington, DC.

Through February 19th, Time Stands Still at The Studio Theatre, in Washington, DC.

Through February 26th, Elephant Room at Arena Stage at The Mead Center for American

Through March 4th, Love Letters at The Bay Theatre Company, in Annapolis, MD.

Through March 4th, Red in The Kreeger at Arena Stage at The Mead Center for American Theater, in Washington, DC.

Through March 4th, The Gaming Table, at The Folger Theatre, in Washington, DC.

Through March 4th, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (the play) at Lansburgh Theatre at Shakespeare Theatre Company, in Washington, DC.

Through March 25th, Really Really at Signature Theatre, in Arlington, VA.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED CHILDREN'S/FAMILY PRODUCTIONS

From February 1st to March 11th, P.Nokio, at Imagination Stage, in Bethesda, MD.

From February 9th to March 4th, Three Bears, at 1st Stage, in Tyson's Corner, in McLean, VA.

From February 4th to 19th, Three Prince Charmings, at The Elden Street Players, in Herndon, VA.

Through February 12th, The Snowy Day, at Adventure Theatre, in Glen Echo, MD.

Through February 19th, Peter and the Wolf, at The Puppet Co., in Glen Echo, MD.

From February 22nd through March 18th, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, at Olney Theatre Center, in Olney, MD.

Through February 23rd, Wings of Ikarus Jackson at The Kennedy Center's Family Theater, in Washington, DC.

Through March 4th, Fiddler on The Roof, at Riverside Center Dinner Theater, in Fredericksburg, VA.

Through March 18th, Smokey Joe's Cafe, at Toby's Dinner Theatre, in Baltimore, MD.

Through March 25th, The King and I, at Toby's Dinner Theatre, in Columbia, MD.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED COMMUNITY THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

From February 3rd to 17th, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, at The Arlington Players at Gunston Arts Center Theater One, in Arlington, VA.

Through February 4th, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, in Alexandria, VA.

Through February 4th, Lend Me a Tenor, at Reston Community Players, in Reston, VA.

Through February 5th, Arsenic and Old Lace, at Vagabond Players, in Baltimore, MD.

From February 10th to 25th, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, at Damascus Theatre Company at The Arts Barn, in Gaithersburg, MD.

February 10th to March 3rd, Sunday in the Park with George, at Kensington Arts Theatre, In Kensington, MD.

Through February 18th, Rooms: A Rock Romance, at The Elden Street Players, in Herndon, VA.

From February 24th to March 17th, Hapgood, at Silver Spring Stage, in Silver Spring, MD.

From February 24th to March 18th, Agnes of God at Spotlighters, in Baltimore, MD.

UNIVERSITY PRODUCTIONS

February 16th to 18th, Ubu Rex (Ubu Roi) at American University's Greenberg Theatre, in DC.

February 16th to 25th, Alien Invader at Catholic University's Hartke Theatre, in Washington, DC.

February 17th to 26th, The Mystery Plays at Catholic University's Hartke Theatre, in Washington, DC.

February 29th to March 10th, Passing Strange at Howard University, in Washington, DC.

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Joel Markowitz writes about theatre in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and New York for Maryland Theatre Guide, where he is The Editor and Senior Columnist. He is a regular guest on The Lunch and Judy Show radio program starring Judy Stadt on Positive World Radio Network and can be heard on WTBQ 1110 AM in NYC. Joel founded The Ushers Theatre Going Group in the DC area in 1990, and co-organizes Broadway Bound Meetup. For five years. he wrote a column called Theatre Schmooze and recorded podcast interviews for DC Theatre Scene. Joel also writes this monthly preview of what's about to open in DC area theatres for BroadwayWorld. His work can also be seen and heard in "Columns" and "Podcast" on BroadwayStars.