Washington, DC Theatre + Broadway News

JOY OF DANCE, Seth Kibel Bay Jazz Project and More Set for McLean Day 2013 Today

(5/18/2013) - The Alden Stage at the McLean Community Center's annual community party, McLean Day 2013, will feature performances by some of the DC metro area's best bands. Seth Kibel will serve as the new master of ceremonies, replacing long-time Center volunteer Tommy Lukas. Kibel will also perform with the Seth Kibel Bay Jazz Project. The festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road. Festival admission is free.

WNO Presents Opera in the Outfield Performance of SHOW BOAT at Nationals Park Tonight

(5/18/2013) - Washington National Opera (WNO) celebrates its fifth season of free opera simulcasts at Nationals Park with the M&M'S Opera in the Outfield performance of the American classic Show Boat tonight, May 18.

Mount Airy Playhouse Presents Reading of THE UNPREDICTABLE TIMES Today

(5/18/2013) - A free staged reading of Kevin Ray Johnsons 'The Unpredictable Times' will be performed today, May 18th, 2 pm at The Mt. Airy Library.

STAGE TUBE: Highlights from Firehouse Theatre Project's POP!

(5/17/2013) - This summer, Firehouse will present the sensation musical, POP! Who Shot Andy Warhol? with book and lyrics by Maggie-Kate Coleman and music by Anna K. Jacobs. POP! is an outrageous whodunit musical in which the famous-and infamous-residents of Warhol's legendary Factory all have motives to pull the trigger. Click below to watch highlights from the show!

Kennedy Center Honors Revamp Selection Process; Chita Rivera Joins Advisory Committee

(5/17/2013) - As reported by the Washington Post on Thursday, The Kennedy Center has announced revisions to its selection process for the Kennedy Center Honors, after last year's criticisms from Hispanic advocacy groups that Latinos had long been excluded. These changes come after a seven-month review, during which a committee heard from many leaders of the Hispanic community.

National New Play Network Announces 2013 Smith Prize Award Winner

(5/17/2013) - The NATIONAL NEW PLAY NETWORK (NNPN), the country's alliance of non- profit theaters that champions the development, production, and continued life of new plays, proudly announces that the 2013 Smith Prize Commission, which carries an Award of $5,000, has been awarded to Martyna Majok for her untitled play. Majok's proposed play is inspired by Slavoj iek's Violence, which examines capitalism and our treatment of people. Awarded annually to a proposal for a play that focuses on American politics, The Smith Prize is funded by a gift from screenwriter, novelist and playwright Timothy Jay Smith and a number of other socially-conscious donors.

Carole King Set for 'In Performance at the White House' Series, 5/22

(5/17/2013) - As part of their "In Performance at the White House" series, the President and First Lady will host a concert in the East Room honoring singer-songwriter Carole King, who will be awarded the 2013 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. President Obama will present the award as he did when the Library of Congress honored Stevie Wonder (2009), Sir Paul McCartney (2010), and the songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David (2012). The program will include performances by King, as well as Gloria Estefan, Billy Joel, Jesse McCartney, Emeli Sande, James Taylor and Trisha Yearwood.

Woolly Mammoth Announces Addition of Associate Artistic Director

(5/17/2013) - Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company has announced the promotion of Miriam Weisfeld from Director of Artistic Development to Associate Artistic Director, an evolution reflective of Woolly's ongoing effort to unify its literary and production activities. In her new role-a position instituted only a few times in Woolly's 34-year history-Weisfeld will continue to manage Woolly's artistic programming from commissions and season selection to implementation, and now also provide oversight of casting, Connectivity, and other initiatives.

THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED Plays Silver Spring Stage, Now thru 6/8

(5/17/2013) - Silver Spring Stage presents The Little Dog Laughed by Douglas Carter Beane, directed by Eric Scerbo and produced by Lennie Magida, an irresistible comedy on the adventures of a budding movie star who could hit it really big depending on how he and his agent handle his secret. The Little Dog Laughed will perform weekends tonight, May 17 to June 8.

Stephen Schwartz to Appear at National Symphony's THE WIZARD AND I, Now thru 5/18

(5/16/2013) - The National Symphony Orchestra Pops will present three performances of The Wizard and I: The Musical Journey of Stephen Schwartz May 16-18 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, the performances feature performances by Jeremy Jordan, Norm Lewis, Julia Murney, Jennifer Laura Thompson, and The Washington Chorus. The performances celebrate Stephen Schwartz's 65th birthday as well as the 10th anniversary of the perennially 'popular' Wicked, and Mr. Schwartz will make a special appearance in each of the three programs, performing and sharing stories of the creation of Wicked.

Jeremy Jordan, Norm Lewis and More Set for THE WIZARD AND I with NSO in D.C., Now thru 5/18

(5/16/2013) - The National Symphony Orchestra Pops will present three performances of The Wizard and I: The Musical Journey of Stephen Schwartz tonight, May 16-18 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, the performances feature performances by Jeremy Jordan, Norm Lewis, Julia Murney, Jennifer Laura Thompson, and The Washington Chorus. The performances celebrate Stephen Schwartz's 65th birthday as well as the 10th anniversary of the perennially 'popular' Wicked.

Keegan Theatre Extends THE FULL MONTY thru June 8

(5/15/2013) - The Keegan Theatre's production of presents the raucous musical The Full Monty, has been extended through June 8, 2013.

Tony Nominee Ken Ludwig to Host Talk and Book-Signing at Folger Shakespeare Library, 6/8

(5/15/2013) - World-renowned playwright and Tony Award nominee Ken Ludwig (Crazy for You, Lend Me a Tenor) will be hosting an interactive discussion on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, followed by a book-signing of his new book How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare at the Folger Shakespeare Library on Saturday, June 8 at 12pm.

Photo Flash: Artwork Revealed for SIDE SHOW at La Jolla Playhouse & Kennedy Center!

(5/15/2013) - As BroadwayWorld previously announced, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will produce, in association with La Jolla Playhouse, a re-imagining of Henry Krieger and Bill Russell's Side Show. Directed by Academy Award winning director Bill Condon, the musical will play at La Jolla Playhouse November 5 through December 17 (opening night November 15) and at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater June 14 through July 13. The musical features book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Henry Krieger who will revise the show before its debut at La Jolla.

ANYTHING GOES Comes to the Kennedy Center, 6/6

(5/15/2013) - The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents the national tour of Roundabout Theatre Company's Anything Goes in the Kennedy Center Opera House from June 11 to July 7, 2013. Winner of the 2011 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, Roundabout Theatre Company's Anything Goes sails direct from Broadway under the direction of Kathleen Marshall, who won the 2011 Tony Award for Best Choreography. The production features music and lyrics by Cole Porter; original book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse; and new book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman. Press opening night is Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

CELEBRITY AUTOBIOGRAPHY Comes to STC for One Night Only, 6/10

(5/15/2013) - The Shakespeare Theatre Company, recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award, will host a one night engagement of the Off-Broadway hit, Celebrity Autobiography. This live comedy show of readings-by and about celebrities-will play in the Company's Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) on Monday, June 10, 2013 at 8 p.m.

BWW Reviews: Brian Stokes Mitchell In Concert at the Kennedy Center

(5/14/2013) - Packed audience at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall hears a perfomrance to treasure.

The Ford's Theatre Society Announces Summer Evening Plays for ONE DESTINY, 6/11-7/6

(5/13/2013) - The Ford's Theatre Society offers evening performances of the one-act play "One Destiny" by Richard Hellesen June 11-July 6, 2013.

THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED to Play Silver Spring Stage, 5/17-6/8

(5/12/2013) - Silver Spring Stage presents The Little Dog Laughed by Douglas Carter Beane, directed by Eric Scerbo and produced by Lennie Magida, an irresistible comedy on the adventures of a budding movie star who could hit it really big depending on how he and his agent handle his secret. The Little Dog Laughed will perform weekends May 17 to June 8.

BWW Reviews: Kensington Arts Theatre Presents RAGTIME

(5/12/2013) - KAT is nothing if not ambitious.

Now Playing Onstage in Washington, DC - Week of 5/12/2013

(5/12/2013) - Upcoming Shows - Week of 5/12/2013 for Washington, DC

Brian Stokes Mitchell Performs at the Kennedy Center Tonight

(5/12/2013) - Tony Award-winning Mitchell to perform with the Choral Arts Chorus of the Choral Arts Society of Washington and co-presented by the Washington Performing Arts Society.

BWW Reviews: Synetic Theater's THE THREE MUSKETEERS Jousts, Duels, and Tumbles its Way to Theater Success

(5/10/2013) - Simply put, Synetic Theater's current production of The Three Musketeers (playing now through June 9th) completely, in every way, stands up to all that Synetic Theater proposes to offer by way of a "dynamic synthesis of the arts". Frankly, Synetic knocks it out of the park. Out of the city. Out of the state. Out of the good ole' U.S. of A.

Barter Theatre Opens THE BLONDE, THE BRUNETTE AND THE VENGEFUL REDHEAD Tonight

(5/10/2013) - What happens when Rhonda Russell's husband of the past 17-and-a-half years calls her from out of the blue and says he's moved out? Something no one could have predicted, that's what. Rhonda has to ask herself 'is there another woman and what am I going to do about it?' Barter Theatre's 'The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead,' beginning May 10 at Barter Stage II, springs forward from this simple question.

New Theater Company Crash of Rhinos to Host CRASH! Sketch Comedy Revue, 5/18

(5/9/2013) - The National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, the only accredited acting school in the Greater Washington Area, announced today that Crash of Rhinos, a new theater company in the process of being born, will hold a sketch comedy revue called the 'Crash!' in the Conservatory's black-box theater on Saturday, May 18, at 8 pm. Tickets are $10. Proceeds from the performance will go towards funding the incorporation of the new company as an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

STC Sends Young Company To Spain

(5/9/2013) - The Shakespeare Theatre Company, recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award, will send its resident teen acting ensemble, Young Company, to the International Youth Theatre Festival in Parla, Spain from July 6-13, 2013. This group of 14 Washington metropolitan area teens in grades 9-12 were invited to perform in the festival alongside youth theatre troupes from across Spain. Young Company will close the festival by staging two performances of their production of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet .

Synetic Theater Opens THE THREE MUSKETEERS Tonight

(5/9/2013) - Synetic continues its 2012/13 season with a brand-new adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas' novel, The Three Musketeers. Opening tonight, May 9 at Synetic Theater in Crystal City.

BWW Reviews: Keegan Delights Audiences with THE FULLY MONTY

(5/8/2013) - Overall, is this show perfect? No, but what show is? I give Keegan kudos for taking it on and it will no doubt entertain many a DC theatregoer.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company Announces STUPID F***ING BIRD House Lights Up Events

(5/8/2013) - As part of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company's ongoing initiative to "ignite an explosive engagement between theatre artists and the community," Woolly is pleased to announce the House Lights Up events for its upcoming world premiere of playwright Aaron Posner's Stupid Fucking Bird. Loosely based on Chekhov's The Seagull, Woolly Artistic Director Howard Shalwitz directs this re-imagined version May 27 through June 23, 2013.

BWW Reviews: TWELFTH NIGHT is Perfect at the Folger

(5/8/2013) - Folger Theatre's TWELFTH NIGHT is simply perfection. A complete triumph, TWELFTH NIGHT, directed by Robert Richmond, is a clear, funny and touching rendering of a Shakespeare play that can appeal to any theatre-goer. After their sell-out production of HENRY V, which received all sorts of accolades, Folger may have topped itself. TWELFTH NIGHT is one you don't want to miss.

Brian Stokes Mitchell Plays the Kennedy Center, 5/12

(5/7/2013) - Tony Award-winning Mitchell to perform with the Choral Arts Chorus of the Choral Arts Society of Washington and co-presented by the Washington Performing Arts Society.

UNPLUGGED Reading Set for May 12 at The National Conservatory of the Dramatic Arts

(5/7/2013) -

BWW Reviews: Constellation Theatre's GILGAMESH a Highlight of the Spring Theatre Scene in Washington, DC

(5/6/2013) - Audiences, prepare to be enthralled; Constellation Theatre's poetic staging of the ancient Sumerian epic Gilgamesh is an absolute delight for the eyes and ears. With its original poetic dialogue, its brilliant costuming and choreography, not to mention an original world-music score performed live, you have a truly fascinating evening in store for you.

Finn Wittrock, Sarah Wayne Callies, Julie Halston and Shuler Hensley to Lead THE GUARDSMAN at the Kennedy Center

(5/6/2013) - The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents the Kennedy Center production of The Guardsman in the Eisenhower Theater from May 25 to June 23, 2013. Principal casting includes Finn Wittrock as The Actor, Sarah Wayne Callies as The Actress, Julie Halston as Mother, and Shuler Hensley as The Critic. The cast also includes Annie Funke as Maid, John Ahlin as The Creditor, and Naomi Jacobson as The Female Usher. A fresh Kennedy Center adaptation based on the 1910 comedy by Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnar, The Guardsman features a new translation by Richard Nelson and is directed by Gregory Mosher. The press opening is Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

BWW Reviews: SHOW BOAT Rolls Along at Washington National Opera

(5/6/2013) - SHOW BOAT is back in an appealing production by the Washington National Opera. The Kennedy Center Opera House is a fitting berth for Captain Andy's Cotton Blossom and the happy/troubled show folk who make it their home. Boasting a cast and chorus of 100, WNO's SHOW BOAT allows the story to roll along the 40-year time span and the glorious music to enthrall the audience once again.

Now Playing Onstage in Washington, DC - Week of 5/05/2013

(5/5/2013) - Upcoming Shows - Week of 5/05/2013 for Washington, DC

BWW Reviews: GHOST-WRITER Showcases Lynskey's Acting Talent at MetroStage

(5/5/2013) - This show is worthy of a look if only for the brilliance that is Susan Lynskey's heartbreaking acting.

BWW Reviews: OTHER DESERT CITIES at Arena Stage Boasts Strong Performances

(5/4/2013) - Lead by Helen Carey and Larry Bryggman, Jon Robin Baitz's OTHER DESERT CITIES at Arena Stage boasts strong performances and clear direction by Kyle Donnelly.