A Theatre Lover's Guide to DC/Capital Area Theatres – November 2010 Offerings

As the leaves are turning into a rainbow of colors, and we await the first snowflakes to fall, DC theatergoers are anticipating Arena Stage's first two productions in their new Mead Center, while Harry Connick, Jr. introduces children to a friendly elf, and Snow White and a red rose and a guy named Fred make a stop at The Kennedy Center. That red-haired orphan brings Sandy and a bitchy Ms. Hannigan and a pooch named Sandy to Olney, MD. Synetic Theater Artistic Director and his wife/choreographer reunite on the stage, a Ziegfeld Folly stars in a one-woman show, and doughnuts are served at The Studio Theatre.

November 2010 Must Sees:

(1) One Night With Fanny Brice, from November 5th to 27th, at American Century Theater, at The Rosslyn Spectrum, in Arlington, VA.

It's a brand new show, and since I am a Fanny Brice fan, I can't wait to see Esther Covington play the legendary Fanny Brice. Most people know her from Barbra Streisand's Oscar-winning performance as Fanny in Funny Girl, but few people know that she was also a great comedienne, a burlesque, vaudeville, radio. Ziegfeld Follies, and film star, as well as a pretty decent dancer. I used to listen to Fanny's "Baby Snooks" radio programs, and they were hysterical. You can listen to some of the shows here.

I am looking forward to seeing how Playwright Chip Deffaa, Director Ellen Dempsey and Musical Director Tom Fuller bring Fanny back to life for "One Night Only", and they should do just fine by casting the multi-talented comedienne, singer, and actress Esther Covington as Fanny.

"Fanny, as imagined by Deffaa, tells her story with colorful anecdotes---all true! -- and best of all, Fanny's greatest song hits, which just happen to be some of the best and most beloved melodies from the years between the World Wars. There are more than twenty in the show, including "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows," "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey?", "Will You Love Me In December As You Do In May?", "Be My Little Baby Bumble Bee," "Rose Of Washington Square," "You Made Me Love You," "Second Hand Rose," "A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody," "After You've Gone," and her calling card, "My Man."

Listen to a podcast with Esther Covington, Tom Fuller, and Ellen Dempsey here:

(2) every tongue confess, from November 9th to January 2nd, in The Kogod Cradle, at Arena Stage, in Washington, DC.

Arena Stage's new theatre called The Kogod Cradle will host its first production - the world premiere of every tongue confess by playwright Marcus Gardley, and directed by Broadway veteran (The Tony Award-winning revivals of Fences and Raisin in the Sun) Kenny Leon. The play is so popular that tickets have sold out in advance, and theatergoers who didn't snag those tickets are praying for an extension.

"In the backwater town of Boligee, Alabama, the summer heat is rising higher, driving the townsfolk to distraction and conjuring the spirits of the past to walk the earth. Wrapped in the combustible music of a Deep South juke joint and the sweat-soaked gospel of a revivalist church tent, intergenerational stories of loss and redemption collide. Playwright Gardley blends ancient myth with magical realism, Biblical allegory with the local TV news to create a fiery theatrical furnace in which some will be saved, some will be purged and the truth cannot escape".

And what an amazing cast, lead by veteran actresses Phylicia Rashad (Mother Sister), Jim Ireland (Stoker Pride), and one of my favorite singers/actresses Leslie Kritzer (Bernadette). Joining them are Jason Dirden (Shadrack), Autumn Hurlbert (Benny Pride), CrystAl Fox (Missionary/Tender Meeks), E. Roger Mitchell (Brother/Bobby), Eugene Lee (Elder/Jeremiah), and Jonathan Earl Peck (Blacksmith). 

Watch conversations with Director Kenny Leon and playwright Marcus Gardley here.

Take a tour of the new Mead Center with DC Theatre Scene's Terry Ponick, and look at the new Kogod Cradle here.

(3) Superior Donuts, from November 10th through December 19th, at The Studio Theatre, in Washington, DC.

After he conquered DC audiences with her Tony Award-winning play August: Osage County, local theatre goers have been waiting for Tracy Letts' Superior Doughnuts to pay a visit to The Studio Theatre.

"In this delicious new comedy from the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of August: Osage County, an offbeat friendship grows between a cantankerous white shop owner and an ambitious black teenager with something to hide. As the two men bond over literature and entrepreneurship, they discover that family runs deeper than blood. Amidst the changing face of an old Chicago neighborhood, a local donut shop becomes the setting for old secrets and new beginnings"

The cast is Gregor Paslawsky (Max Tarasov), Julie-Ann Elliott (Officer Randy Osteen), Barbara Broughton (Lady Boyle), Richard Cotovsky (Arthur Przybyszewski), Carlton Byrd (Franco Wicks), Chris Genebach (Luther Flynn), Logan Bennett (Kevin Magee) and Aaron Tone (Kiril Ivakin). Serge Seiden is directing the production, and in his capable hands this will be one tasty production.

(4) The Master and Margarita, from November 11th to December 12th, at Synetic Theater, at Lansburgh Theatre, in Washington, DC.

Synetic Theater is remounting their 2005 Helen Hayes Award-winning (Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Resident Production), The Master and Margarita, and this time, they are performing it at the Lansburgh Theatre as they did last year with their critically acclaimed Antony and Cleopatra.

What is so exciting is that The Master and Margarita reunites the husband and wife team of Artistic Director Paata and Choreographer Irina Tsikurishvili, and that itself is something to celebrate.

"In this adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov's masterpiece about the devil's visit to Stalin's Moscow – a powerful tale about the juxtaposition of good and evil, sacrificing for love, and artistic struggles in a repressive society. A supernatural, exotic fusion of text, startling visuals, physicality, and humor, this metaphorical play will be re-imagined and redesigned by Synetic's award-winning artistic team".

Joining Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili are company veterans Scott Brown, Philip Fletcher, Chris Galindo, Alex Mills, Ryan Sellers, Sarah Taurchini, and Armand Sindoni, and newcomers Chris Dinolfo, Katherine Frattini, Shana Greenbaum, Lauren Elizabeth Kieler, and Richie Pepio.

The Master and Margarita is adapted by Roland Reed, Directed by Paata Tsikurishvili, Choreographed by Irina Tsikurishvili, Set, Costumes, and Properties Design by Anastasia R. Simes, Original Music by Konstantine Lortkipanidze, with Lighting Design by Colin K. Bills.

To get a taste of a Synetic production, watch highlights from their current production of King Arthur, that is playing through November 7th at their new home in Crystal City in Arlington, VA.

(5) The Happy Elf, from November 12th to 28th at Adventure Theatre at Montgomery College's Robert E. Parilla Performing Center, in Rockville, MD.

Harry Connick, Jr. is coming to town and Adventure Theatre is mounting the first production of his children's show The Happy Elf just in time for the holidays. With music and lyrics by Mr. Connick, and a book by Lauren Gunderson and Andrew Fishman, the production is being directed by Tony Award winner John Rando (who is also in town directing Ken Ludwig's new play A Fox on the Fairway at Signature Theatre). This is a great holiday gift for the kids and grandkids.

The Happy Elf began as a song, and was heard on Mr. Connick's 2003 CD "Harry for the Holidays." It was later turned into a 2005 CGI-animated TV special.

"This new, live stage production tells the story of Eubie, a North Pole elf who always wears a smile. Eubie's overly optimistic outlook is put to the test when he decides to bring Christmas joy to the sad little town of Bluesville, which has fallen into a state of permanent blues. If Eubie can fix Bluesville, he may win a coveted spot on Santa's sleigh team. This heart-warming holiday musical captures the joy of the season and is destined to be a holiday classic for D.C. area children!"

And to add more holiday joy - Tony winner Michael Rupert (Sweet Charity) - whose performance as Marvin in Falsettos is one of my fondest theatre memories - plays the role of Norbert in The Happy Elf. Michael is joined by company members Elliott Dash as Santa, Nova Payton as Gurt, Zack Colonna as Curtis, Valerie Issembert as Molly, Tina Ghandchilar as Gilda, Jobari Parker-Namdar as Hamm, Carolyn Caton as Candy Elf/Ensemble, David Weiner as Reindeer Elf/Ensemble, with ensemble members Ally Barrale, Melanie Kurstin, Neel Madan, Noah Mitchell, Madeline Schinosi, Carl Williams, Hunter Kieserman, Jonathan Miot and Grace Sicard.

Mr. Connick is expected to appear at the Nov. 13 opening press performance. I'm looking forward to interviewing Harry and Michael.

(6) Annie, from November 17th to January 2nd, at The Olney Theatre Center, in Olney, MD.

Leapin' Lizards! They're back – that red-haired orphan and that mean Ms. Hannigan and her crazy brother Rooster to grace the Olney Theatre Center's Mainstage with holiday cheer and lots of little singing orphans.

Who can resist singing along with "It's A Hard-Knock Life," "Easy Street," "N.Y.C.," and "Tomorrow," And with these hard times, isn't nice to again believe that there is a better tomorrow, "Only a day away"?

How exciting to have Mark Waldrop return to Olney to direct Annie! He has directed some of my favorite musicals of all-time - Howard Crabtree's When Pigs Fly, My Deah, and Pete 'n' Keely. I actually got Mark to do a cameo on a podcast I recorded with Michael West at NewSical last February in NYC.

The huge 29-person cast includes: Caitlin Deerin (Annie), Broadway vet George Dvorsky (Daddy Warbucks), local favorites Channez McQuay (Miss Hannigan), Bobby Smith (Rooster), and Carrie A. Johnson (Grace Farrell). In the ensemble are some of my favorite local actors Chris Sizemore, Jenna Sokolowski, Bligh Voth, John Dellaporta, and Autumn Seavey who have all made my "Scene Stealer" articles on DCTS.

Musical direction for Annie is provided by Helen Hayes Award-winner Christopher Youstra. The show is choreographed by Tara Jeanne Vallee. Original costume design is by Theoni Aldredge, and original set design is by Ming Cho Lee.

Watch a video of the auditions to find Annie here

(7) A Broadway Christmas Carol, from November 18th to December 19th at MetroStage, in Alexandria, VA.

I used to return every year from 1998-2004 to Round House Theatre to see their annual production of Kathy Feininger's A Broadway Christmas Carol, which tells Dickens' Scrooge tale using very funny parodies Broadway show tunes.

Now Director Larry Kaye and Choreographer Nancy Harry who helmed Metrostage's hysterical productions of The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) will get their chance to strut their stuff with this holiday classic. Two-time Helen Hayes Award winner Donna Migliaccio, and funnyman Matt Anderson, (who starred in the recent production of The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) with Ms. Migliaccio) join actor Peter Boyer, who plays Scrooge. Aaron Broderick (nominated for musical directing Rent at Keegan Theatre last year) is the Musical Director. Lots of fun to be had!

(8) Snow White, Rose Red (and Fred), From November 26th to December 19th, at The Kennedy Center Family Theater, in Washington, DC.

When Matthew Gardiner directs and choreographs a show I drop everything and run, so I was very happy to hear that he is lending his talents to the world premiere Kennedy Center Commission of Snow White, Rose Red (and Fred) at the Kennedy Center. The show has book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler, and music by Zina Goldrich.

"Remember The Brothers Grimm tale, 'Snow White and Rose Red'? It's the story of equally beautiful sisters, equally devoted to their mother, equally nice and helpful, who marry equally handsome princes. Wonder what happens when this beloved tale of equality and generosity turns up in a modern-day self-absorbed high school drama class? The storybook goes out the window. With the sisters played by cheerleaders Melinda and Melissa, things go sour when a replacement actor, Fred, turns out to be so cute and charming that he sparks a sisterly rivalry. But teamwork and collaboration ultimately prevail in this musical comedy about sharing the spotlight.'

The cast is filled with great local singers and actors, many of who have performed at Signature Theatre: Evan Casey as Juan Carlos, Emily Levey as Melinda, Sam Ludwig as Sammy/Fred, Bayla Whitten as Claudia, Lauren Williams as Melissa. What a treat for the holidays!

(9) Oklahoma!, Through December 26th, in the Fichandler, at Arena Stage, in Washington, DC.

What a fine way to welcome DC area theatre goers into the new-and-improved in-the-round Fichandler Theatre at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, by producing an American musical classic: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

"This is not your mother's Oklahoma! Inspired by the toughness of the prairie, Artistic Director Molly Smith sets her production in the robust world of territory life filled with a dynamic cast as rich and complex as the great tapestry of America itself. With Rodgers and Hammerstein's timeless music, Oklahoma! celebrates the vigor of America's pioneering spirit with athletic dance and boot-stomping energy. Chock full of classic tunes such as "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'', and "People will Say We're in Love," this muscular production will thrill audiences young and old."

And what a cast of great singers Artistic Director Molly Smith has assembled for this production: Nicholas Rodriguez , who won raves for his performance as Fabrizio in last year's production of The Light in the Piazza, Arena audience favorite and Helen Hayes Award winners E. Faye Butler, as Aunt Eller, and local favorite Eleasha Gamble, who just this week took over the role of Laurey to the cheers of yours truly and all of DC area theatre goers. Aaron Ramey, who sang the role of Lancelot so beautifully in Olney Theatre's recent production of Camelot – plays Jud Fry, Pittsburgh favorite Cody Williams plays Will Parker, and Nehal Joshi plays Ali Hakim.

Rounding out the huge cast are Philip Michael Baskerville (Cord Elam), Lucas Fedele (Ike Skidmore), Andrew Hodge (Slim), Shane Rhoades (Fred), Vincent Rodriguez III (Sam), Anton Harrison LaMon (Jess), Cara Massey (Gertie), Emilee Dupre (Vivian), Annie Petersmeyer (Virginia), Jessica Wu (Kate), Cyana Cook (Ellen), Semhar Ghedremichael (Aggie), Hollie E. Wright (Sylvie/Dream Laurey), Kyle Vaughn (Mike/Dream Curly), Kurt Boehm (Male Swing), and Jessica Hartman (Female Swing).

The happiest thing for me is that one of the most talented young actresses and singers in the DC area - June Schreiner- is playing Ado Annie Carnes. I have seen June in several community theatre productions including her WATCH Award-winning performance as Little Sally in Urinetown at Reston Community Players, and recently as Amy March in McLean Community Players' production of Little Women. You can see a clip of June in the show here.

Oh what a beautiful moment it will be when Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's gorgeous music sweeps over the Fischandler like the wind blowing through Oklahoma cornfields.

Watch Artistic Director Molly Smith and the cast of Oklahoma! in rehearsal here.

(10) THE PAJAMA GAME, Through November 14th, at Rockville Musical Theatre, at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, in Rockville, MD.

It's one of my favorite musicals, and when I saw the cast list of Rockville Musical Theatre's production of The Pajama Game, I knew I had to see it this month. It's rarely put on in the DC area, and what a treat it will be seeing some of my favorite local performers (who have made so many of my "Best Of" articles) - John Loughney (Sid Sorokin), Katie McManus (Mae), Albert Coia (Prez), and ensemble members Ivan Davila and Renee Rabben, singing away in their jammies. I can't wait to hear John sing ""Hey There", and "A New Town is a Blue Town."

Rounding out the RMT cast are Colleen Arnold (Babe Williams), Jeff Breslow (Vernon Hines), Julie Bain Zittrauer (Gladys), Karen Fleming (Mabel), David Elvove (Hasler), Don Brunsm (Pop) and ensemble members Terry Allred, Jonathan Cagle-Mulberg, Ivan Davila, Heath Dillard, Kim Frias, Brena Holman, Katrina Janson, Kevin James Logan, Hayley North, Renee Rabben, Dana Robinson, Jerry Stringham, and Leslie Walbert.

The show is directed by Michael Kharfen, (the man also known for baking the best homemade cookies in town), with Music Direction by Valerie Higgs, and Choreography by Andrea Heininge, who provided the amazing choreography for last year's WATCH Award-winning Curtains at Reston Community Players.

With a melodic score by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross, this 1954 Tony Award-winning Best Musical about the workers' demands for a seven-and-a-half cents raise in a pajama factory and the newfound love between Babe, head of the grievance committee, and Sid, the new factory superintendent - will surely burn up the RMT stage with lots of 'steam heat'.

Also Opening in November 2010

From November 1st to 28th, House of Gold, at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, in Washington, DC.

From November 4th to the 7th, My First Time, at District of Columbia Arts Center ('DCAC'), in Washington, DC, at The Burke Theatre at the Navy Memorial, in Washington. DC on November 13th at 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM, and at The Mead Theatre Lab at Flashpoint, in Washington, DC on November 15th to November 19th at 7:30 PM, on November 20th at 3:00 PM, and November 21st at 7:30 PM.

From November 4th to 21st, fallFRINGE, in several locations in Washington, DC.

From November 5th to 28th, Gianni Schicchi, at The Georgetown Theatre Company, at Randolph Road Theatre, in Silver Spring, MD. 

From November 12th to December 12th, The Seafarer, at Quotidian Theatre Company, at The Writer's Center, in Bethesda, MD.

From November 12th to January 2nd, 2011, A Christmas Carol, at Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore, in Baltimore, MD.

From November 18th to January 23, 2011, Cinderella, at Toby's Dinner Theatre of Columbia, in Columbia, MD.

From November 19th to January 2, 2011, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, at Adventure Theatre, in Glen Echo, MD.

From November 20th to December 19th, Golden Boy, at Keegan Theatre at Church Street Theater, in Washington, DC.

From November 26th to January 1, 2011, Seasonal Disorder at Washington Improv Theatre ('WIT'), at Source, in Washington, DC.

From November 24th to January 9, 2011, Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells

November 26th to November 30th, The Nutcracker, at The Puppet Co., In Glen Echo, MD.

Already Open and Playing Through December 2010

Through November 2nd, Spot's Birthday Party, at Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo, MD.

Through November 7th, Ameriville, at Round House Theatre, in Bethesda, MD.

Through November 7th, Cabaret Macabre, at Happenstance Theatre, at Round House Theatre in Silver Spring, MD.

Through November 7th, Cats, at Toby's Baltimore at Toby's Dinner Theatre of Baltimore, In Baltimore, MD.

Through November 7th, Fool for Love, at Keegan Theatre, at Church Street Theater, in Washington, DC.

Through November 7th, King Arthur, at Synetic Theater, In their new Crystal City Space, In Arlington, VA.

Through November 13th, Blood Sweat & Fears III: Red Velvet Curtain, at Molotov Theatre Company, in Washington, DC.

Through November 13th, Lips Together Teeth Apart, at Bay Theatre Company, in Annapolis, MD.

Through November 13th, ON THE FRINGE: Eye on Edinburgh, at The Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC.

Through November 14th, A Fox On the Fairway, at Signature Theatre, in Arlington, VA.

Through November 14th, Holiday, at 1st Stage, in McLean, VA.

Through November 14th, The Lost Ones, at Spooky Action Theatre, in Takoma Park, MD.

Through November 14th, Rent!, at Toby's Dinner Theatre of Columbia, In Columbia, MD.

Through November 14th, Sanctified-A Musical Comedy, at The Lincoln Theatre, in Washington, DC.

Through November 14th, Women Beware Women, at Constellation Theatre Company, in Washington, DC.

Through November 19th, Len Piper's Pinocchio, at The Puppet Co., in Glen Echo, MD.

Through November 21st, Darwin in Malibu, at Washington Stage Guild, in Washington, DC.

Through November 21st, Hair, at The Kennedy Center's Opera House, in Washington, DC.

Through November 21st, Henry VIII, at Folger Theatre's Folger Elizabethan Theatre, in Washington, DC.

Through November 21st, Looking for the Pony, at Venus Theatre, in Laurel, MD.

Through November 27th, The 13th International Festival of Hispanic Theater, at Teatro de la Luna, at Gunston Arts Center in Theatre 2, in Arlington, VA.

Through November 28th, The Odd Couple, at Theater J, in Washington, DC.

Through November 28th, Purge, In Rep With The War of the Worlds, at Scena Theatre, at H Street Playhouse, in Washington, DC.

Through December 12th, Richard III In Rep With Mary Stuart, at Washington Shakespeare Company, at the Artisphere, in Arlington, VA.

Through December 26th, Walter Cronkite is Dead, at Signature Theatre, in Arlington, VA.

PHOTOS

(1) Esther Covington as Fanny Brice, in American Century Theater's One Night With Fanny Brice.

(2) Autumn Hurlbert as Benny Pride and Phylicia Rashad as Mother Sister in the Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater production of every tongue confess. Photo by Scott Suchman.

(3) Richard Cotovsky and Carlton Byrd in Superior Donuts at The Studio Theatre. Photo: Scott Suchman.

(4).Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili in Synetic Theater's production of The Master and Margarita. Photo: Graeme B. Shaw.

(5) Graphic from Adventure Theatre's production of The Happy Elf, by Eric Hill/Salspot Ltd.

(6) Abby (as Sandy) and Caitlin Deerin (as Annie), in Olney Theatre Center's production of Annie. Photo courtesy of Olney Theatre Center.

(7) Donna Migliaccio, Peter Boyer, and Matthew A. Anderson, in A Broadway Christmas Carol, at MetroStage. Photo: Colin Hovde.

(8) Illustration for Snow White, Rose Red (And Fred), at the Kennedy Center by Jim Caputo.

(9) Illustration for Arena Stage's production of Oklahoma! by Douglas Fraser

(10) The cast of The Pajama Game at Rockville Musical Theatre. Photo by Keith Janson.

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-- Joel Markowitz writes about theatre in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and New York for DC Theatre Scene. Follow Joel's Theatre Schmooze column here and his podcast interviews here. Joel can also be heard 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. The group is in its 21st season. Joel also writes a monthly preview of what's about to open in DC area theatres for BroadwayWorld. His work can also be seen in "COLUMNS" and "PODCAST" on BroadwayStars.

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