With over 30 shows opening this month on DC area stages, there is a buffet of choices for local theatre goers and visitors to our nation's capital, from a Tom Kitt musical, to a bloody barber pie-filled Sondheim feast, to children's classics adapted for the stage, to American Idol contestants with slicked back hair, to a psycho woman and her schizo sister, to Commedia dell'Arte. There's something for everyone, so come visit the DC area, and have a monumental time in our theatres!

SPECIAL EVENT:

Friday, February 5th at 8:00 PM, Luck Be a Lady: Music Center at Strathmore's 5th Anniversary Celebration!

It's right up the street from my condo, and I have enjoyed everything I have seen from classical music to concerts to cabarets at the Music Center at Strathmore, and on February 5th, for one night only, this incredible hall - with the perfect acoustics - is welcoming Broadway stars Julia Murney, Emily Skinner, Rachel York, and cabaret singer extraordinaire Jim Caruso, as Strathmore celebrates its 5th anniversary.

The program features songs by Stephen Sondheim, Kander & Ebb, Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Schwartz, and Julie Styne among others. Alice Ripley, so busy trying to be "normal" on Broadway, was scheduled to be in the celebration, but instead is busy earning standing ovations for her Tony Award winning performance in Next To Normal at the Booth Theatre.

I'm also looking forward to getting a piece of birthday cake after the show and schmoozing with Julia, Emily, Rachel, and Jim. Having three incredible talents in one place at the same time is truly a celebration not to be missed.

OPENING IN FEBRUARY, 2010 - MUST-SEES:

(1) From February 2nd to Feb. 21st, Grease, at The National Theatre, in Washington, DC.

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Fifth season American Idol winner Taylor Hicks and contestant Ace Young (who finished 7th) slick back their hair, and will energize The National Theatre stage, as they bring their own "Greased Lightning" to the Nation's capital. OK, the show is silly, and it's been produced a zillion times, and DC has seen a zillion Grease productions in local community and dinner theatres, and tours, but who cares? You can't beat a night out at the theatre that reminds us of the innocence and growing pains of the 50's.

This tour is receiving raves all over the country, and I want to see why. Plus, I love The National Theatre! Everything looks great there, and in these tough times - couldn't we use a little "Shakin' at the High School Hop"?

Check out the Grease tour website here.

(2) From February 6th to March 21st, Peter & the Wolf, at Imagination Stage, in Bethesda, Maryland.

I remember as a kid going on a field trip to Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo, NY on a very snowy day (that surprises you?), and being thrilled by Serge Prokofiev's Peter & the Wolf. And I remember each character being represented by a single instrument: Peter by the strings, the wolf by the horn section, the duck by the oboe, the cat by the clarinet, the bird by the flute, and the hunters by the tympani. I screamed when the wolf ate that duck, and I cheered, along with hundreds of other school children, when Peter outfoxed that mean wolf.

Now, Imagination Stage is introducing new generations of school children and their young parents to Peter & the Wolf, by bringing a new "interpretation", which premiered at Seattle Children's Theatre, with music by Hummie Mann and lyrics by Mr. Mann and Allison Gregory. The press release described this new production as, "Using Prokofiev's themes as a jumping-off point, Gregory and Mann have created musical numbers including a tango, a waltz, a Charleston and a rousing gospel song".

Will this new theatrical production capture the excitement I felt as a child? We'll have to wait and see, but I can't wait to see two of my favorite local actors - the very funny Matthew McGloin, and the elegant chanteuse Gia Mora perform with other cast members Maggie Marlin, Calvin McCullough, and Landon Nagel. That wolf better behave!

(3) From February 9th to April 4th, Sweeney Todd, at Signature Theatre, in Arlington, Virginia.

It was the first musical they ever mounted, and now to celebrate their 20th season, they have brought back the pies and the razors. Signature Theatre always takes pride in exclaiming in your ads, "No one does Sondheim better than Signature Theatre", and no one does Sweeney Todd better than Eric Schaeffer. But this time, this new pie-filled production will be mounted in their new MAX theatre, and you can only imagine what a bloody good time we will have.

Fresh from playing Scrooge at Ford's Theatre, and playing Margaret Johnson in Philadelphia Theatre Company's exquisite production of The Light in the Piazza, Helen Hayes Award winners Ed Gero and Sherri L. Edelen play the demon barber of Fleet Street and his fellow partner in pie crime - Mrs. Lovett. Joining them is a cast of DC's finest actors - Erin Driscoll (Johanna), Channez McQuay (The Beggar Woman), Sam Ludwig (Tobias), and Greg Maheu (Anthony). This is a cast that can really sing, and I can't wait to grab a slice of pie and hear my favorite Sondheim score sung by these amazing actors/singers. A little piece of a priest anyone?

(4) From February 12th to April 6th, The New Musical Adventures/Flat Stanley, at Adventure Theatre, in Glen Echo, Maryland.

Adventure Theatre is presenting the area premiere of a new production based on
the popular "Flat Stanley" children's series by JefF Brown, about Stanley, who can "slide under locked doors, roll up like a mat, become a trampoline and even put himself in a big envelope and travel around the world from Washington, DC to France to Honolulu". With a book by Timothy A. McDonald, and lyrics by Mr. McDonald and music by David Weinstein, Jonathan K. Waller, and Stephen Gabriel, I know the kids will love it!

Michael Bobbitt and his creative team at Adventure Theatre know how to show the entire family a great time in the theatre, and I look forward to sliding in to Adventure Theatre to spend some time with Stanley. Bring the kids and grandkids and have a "flat-out" great time!

The show is directed by local favorite Nick Olcott. WATCH Award winner Ryan Manning stars as Stanley Lampchop. Ryan is joined by Jade Wheeler, Katie Brobst, David Frankenberger, and Michael Grew.

(5) From February 18th to March 14th, High Fidelity, at Landless Theatre Company, at the District of Columbia Arts Center, in Washington, DC.

Since composer Tom Kitt won a Tony Award winner for his score for Next To Normal, N2N fans like me are quite interested in hearing the score he wrote with Amanda Green for High Fidelity, a show that ran for 14 days after it opened at The Imperial Theatre on December 7, 2006. I was one of the few people who got to see it, and I liked the score very much. As for the show itself, let's not get into that...

Who else but Landless Theatre would ever consider mounting the DC area premiere of a show that most would consider a "flop", and mount it in a tiny, tiny space at the DC Arts Center (DCAC)? I admire this company for taking risks, and I am expecting a typical Landless in-your-face terrific production. The amazing cast stars Helen Hayes Award winning actor Stephen Gregory Smith, who recently was terrific as in Studio Theatre's production of Adding Machine: A Musical as the creepy murderer Shrdlu, and features artistic director Andrew Lloyd Baughman; Esther Covington; Stefanie Garcia; Genevieve James; Tom Mallan; Momo Nakamura; Anya Nebel; Josh Speerstra; Mickey D. DaGuiso; Juan Carlos Sanchez, who is burning up the stage in Keegan Theatre's critically acclaimed production of RENT; and my "Musical Theatre Performer of the Year" Karissa Swanigan. The production is directed and choreographed by Julie Herber, who has directed and starred in many productions at Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET).

(6) From February 19th to March 14th, Dear Sara Jane, at Hub Theatre, at The Soundry, in Vienna, Virginia.

I haven't seen it, but Lorraine Treanor, my editor at DC Theatre Scene, highly recommended Dear Sara Jane, which was a big hit last summer at the Contemporary American Theater Festival (CATF). Tim Treanor in his review for DC Theatre Scene wrote, "Sara Jane, alone at home, waits for her soldier husband to return from battle. After a few too many bourbons, she begins to pose some dangerous questions, as she summons the courage to reveal a nasty secret".

Now, actress extraordinaire Casie Platt, appearing recently as Harper in Forum Theatre's critically acclaimed Ángels in America, will be starring as the very sweet Sara Jane, described by Tim as, "a character you will instantly recognize, even if you've never met anyone like her in your life... Provocatively, Lodato has Sara Jane admit her own attraction to violence, and worry that their bondage games pushed Jerry closer to callous disregard of human life".

Artistic director Helen Parfumi chimed in, "I am thrilled to give Dear Sara Jane its area premiere. Lodato has constructed a funny, raw, and beautiful play that is so elegantly constructed and Jessica is so insightful about the piece, it is exciting to watch her work. This role is also a jewel for any actor, and it was such a natural fit for Casie Platt. Casie will bring a wonderful life and vibrancy to this work, and even at the first read through, the depth of her performance was clear".

And Casie also gets to play Jane's sister Linnie, who is a mad-as-hell schizophrenic. Now, doesn't it sound like Sara Jane will "whip up" some excitement in the theatre?

(7) From February 25th to March 1st, Great One Man Commedia Epic, at Sidney Harman Hall Forum, in Washington, DC.

Here's one for the entire family! For a limited time, to celebrate "Commedia dell'Arte Day" International Commedia dell'Arte specialist Matthew R. Wilson is starring in a show at Shakespeare Theatre Company that's being advertised as, "Appropriate for ages 3 to 103. One Actor. Twelve Characters. 1000 Catastrophes. Wilson transforms a bare stage into a raucous world of young lovers, squabbling old men, boasting soldiers, and dim-witted servants. The entire town is thrust to the brink of tragedy (even forcing Wilson to duel himself!) before love prevails, normalcy is restored, and comedy triumphs!!!" Sounds like part Marx Brothers, Buster Keaton, and The Keystone Cops. Sound exhausting and exciting and lots of fun!

For more information on the company, click here.

 

(8) From January 12th to March 6th, RENT, at Kensington Arts Theatre, in Kensington, Maryland.

After watching and writing about Keegan Theatre's amazing production of RENT, and several other productions of the show this year, it seems like every theatre company in the DC area is taking their shot at leaving their own mark on Jonathan Larson's musical.

This time, Kensington Arts Theatre (KAT) is preparing to open its production on February 12th directed by WATCH Award winning director Craig Pettinati. Music direction is by Brian Victor, with choreography provided by Laurie Newton. I am confident that this will be another sensational production because it boasts a cast of local talented, young actors, and I can't wait to see Jase Parker play the role of Angel. Not only does Jase possess a beautiful voice, but he is like a human rubber. I am hoping that director Pettinati will utilize Jase's athletic skills. I am also exited that Jennie Lutz - who I enjoyed in Classica/Synetic Family Theater's The Lost Sock, and in Heidi at Imagination Stage - is a member of the ensemble. These two fabulous actors will add some spice to Kensington's RENT.

The cast consists of many actors who appeared in KAT's recent production of The Rocky Horror Show - ensemble members Tim Adams, Felicia Akunwafor, Mayumi Baker, Terry Barr, Eric Jones, and Jacqueline Salvador, and Amy Baughman, who plays Mimi.

There are some young actors I have never seen before - ensemble members Lena Feliciano and Alicia Osborn, Greg Meyer (Mark), Andrew Kurland (Roger), Montario Hill (Collins), Tina Ghandchilar (Joanne), and Darius Epps (Benny). Who knows? They may make my next Scene Stealers article.

(9) From February 27th to March 20th, Chicago, at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, in Alexandria, Virginia.

In its 77th season, The Little Theatre of Alexandria is presenting Kander and Ebb's Chicago. There are three reasons for me to see this production: Andy Izquierdo as Billy Flynn, Renee Rabben as Mama Matron, and Keith Miller in the ensemble, who is playing "very quickly shot" Fred Casley.

Local theatergoers are thrilled that multi-WATCH Award winner Andy Izquierdo is back from his NYC stint to grace the LTA stage and to bring his gorgeous voice as the slimy Billy Flynn. He will be fantastic! And Renee Rabben, who has "pipes", will knock the hell out of "When You're Good to Mama". It will be nice to see Keith Miller, who was fabulous in recent productions of Jeffrey at Dominion Stage and Falsettos at The Elden Street Players, finally playing a nasty character - Fred Casley.

I don't know the work of cast members Bethany Blakey (Velma Kelly), Jordan Houghham (Roxie Hart), Jon Keeling (Amos Hart), Melissa Stamps (Mary Sunshine), and ensemble members Akiyo Dunetz, Danielle Y. Eure, Jacqui Farkas, Kristen Magee, Daniel McKay, Angela Norris, Lauren Palmer, but I do know that they are lucky to have one of the hardest-working actors in the area in the ensemble - Ivan Davila.

As you can see from the cast list above, director Susan Devine has chosen to cast a woman in the role of Mary Sunshine - Melissa Stamps. Chicago fans know that a man is always cast in this role, so it will be interesting to see if this choice works. I am looking forward to seeing some new local talents on the LTA stage. Director Devine is joined by choreographer Amy Carson, and music director Paul Nasto.

It's always fun when Roxie and Velma get to claw each other on the stage. Razzamatazz!

ALSO OPENING IN FEBRUARY 2010

February 2nd through April 11th, Richard II, at The Shakespeare Theatre Company's Sidney Harman Hall, in Washington, DC.

February 3rd through February 28th, The Glass Menagerie, at Rep Stage, at Howard Community College, in Columbia, Maryland.

February 4th through February 28th, Beauty of the Father, at Gala Hispanic Theatre, in Washington, DC.

February 4th through April 10th, Henry V, at The Shakespeare Theatre Company's Sidney Harman Hall, in Washington, DC.

February 5th through February 28th, By the Bogs of Cats, at 1st Stage, in McLean, Virginia.

February 5th through February 19th, Sit Down, Shut Up! The Greensboro sit-ins, at Discovery Theatre, in Washington, DC.

February 10th through February 20th, The Fugitives, by La Rinascita at CHAW, in Washington, DC.

February 11th through March 7th, Gdirl from Gdansk, by Keegan Theatre at Church Street Theater, in Washington, DC.

February 12th through February 13th, Deconstructing the Myth of the Booty, at the District of Columbia Arts Center (DCAC), in Washington, DC.

February 12th through February 20th, Talk Radio, by Stroyka Theatre at The Burke Theatre inside the Navy Memorial, in Washington, DC.

February 16th through March 3rd, The Atheist, by Keegan Theatre at Church Street Theater, in Washington, DC.

February 17th through March 14th, That Face, at Studio Theatre's Second Stage, in Washington, DC.

February 17th through February 20th, Mark Russell, at Ford's Theatre, in Washington, DC.

February 18th through March 14th, Bus Stop, at The Olney Theatre Center, in Olney, Maryland.

February 18th through March 13th, Chumbale, at Teatro de la Luna, in Washington, DC.

February 25th through March 21st, Amazons and Their Men, at Forum Theater at-Round House Theatre's Silver Spring location, in Silver Spring, Maryland.

CURRENTLY OPEN AND RUNNING THROUGH FEBRUARY & MARCH 2010

Through February 6th, Will Success Spoil Rock Hudson?, at American Century Theater, in Arlington, Virginia.

Through February 7th, The Last Cargo Cult, at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, in Washington, DC.

Through February 7th, Stick Fly, at Arena Stage in Crystal City, in Arlington, VA.

Through February 14th, The Constellation, at Active Cultures Theatre, in University Park, Maryland.

Through February 14th, In the Red & Brown Water, at Studio Theatre, in Washington, DC.

Through February 14th, The Rivalry, at Ford's Theatre, in Washington, DC.

Through February 14th, suicide.chat.room, at Taffety Punk, at Flashpoint's Mead Theater Lab, in Washington, DC.

Through February 21st, The Four of Us, at Theater J, in Washington, DC.

Through February 21st, Permanent Collection, at Round House Theatre, in Bethesda, Maryland.

Through February 21st, Three Sisters, by Constellation Theatre at Source, in Washington, DC.

Through February 28th, Ain't Misbehavin', at Toby's Baltimore, in Baltimore, Maryland.

Through February 28th, Antony and Cleopatra, by Synetic Theater at Lansburgh Theatre, in Washington, DC.

Through February 28th, I Love You, You're Perfect: Now Change, at Toby's - the Dinner Theatre of Columbia, in Columbia, Maryland.

Through February 28th, The Miser, at Washington Shakespeare Company, in Washington, DC.

Through March 7th, I Am My Own Wife, at Signature Theatre, in Arlington, Virginia.

Through March 8th, Orestes, A Tragic Romp, at Folger Elizabethan Theatre, in Washington, DC.

Through March 14th, Mahalia, at MetroStage, in Alexandria, Virginia.

Through March 27th, Upright Citizens Brigade, at The Shakespeare Theatre Company's Sidney Harman Hall, in Washington, DC.

PHOTOS
(1) The Music Center at Strathmore.
(2) Kate Morgan Chadwick and Taylor Hicks in Grease. Photo Credit to Joan Marcus.
(3) Dear Sara Jane poster.
(4) Matthew R. Wilson in The Great One-Man Commedia Epic.

________________________________________________________________________

Joel Markowitz writes about theatre in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and New York for DC Theatre Scene.com. Follow Joel's Theatre Schmooze column here and his podcast interviews here.

 

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