Carole King’s Beautiful career on stage
For three weeks in a row earlier this fall, the farewell tours of three rock and folk icons — Paul Simon, Elton John and Joan Baez — came through Washington. For those hoping seminal ‘60s and ‘70s songwriter Carole King would schedule a tour as well, the next best thing will be onstage for five weeks, starting Nov. 27 at the National Theater in downtown Washington. Beautiful... READ MORE
Shakespeare’s King John: politics as usual?
In Shakespeare’s King John at the Folger Theater, it’s not so much the play, as the players that are the thing. The Bard’s early, seldom-seen historical play is a mostly wild, part-wily work that includes two or three wars, deadly threats, murders, betrayals, under-the-table deals, corruption, deception, a poisoning, a beheading, a possible suicide, an excommunication and assorted... READ MORE
Five upcoming plays with Jewish themes
In August, September and October, five theaters in Montgomery County will produce plays with Jewish themes. It’s entirely a “happy coincidence,” says David Fialkoff of the newly formed Jewish Community Theater of Montgomery County (JCTMC), as the plays were not planned to coincide. As its name suggests, the group is dedicated to presenting plays and musicals in the county about... READ MORE
‘Mamma Mia!’ returns with gusto to Toby’s
Abba fans rejoice. The popular musical Mamma Mia! is back in town, this time at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia, and it’s a smash. If you’re unfamiliar, this jukebox musical was created by Catherine Johnson, stitched together entirely through songs by Swedish pop duo Abba. There was a film adaptation in 2008, which now has a sequel in theaters. The show is loosely based on the... READ MORE
Marvelous musical revisits 1940s New York
So you’re still annoyed or let down that you can’t get in, or can’t afford, to see Hamilton? Well, here’s a theater-insider’s secret: go to Olney Theatre Center for their splendiferous production of the musical On the Town, and you will have just as much fun and just as much sublime pleasure, for much less money and bother. Go ahead: feel smug. You’re saving on astronomical... READ MORE
Ghostly matters raised in ‘The Quickening’
According to Wikipedia, “quickening” refers to the moment in pregnancy when “the woman starts to feel or perceive fetal movements in the uterus…the word, ‘quick,’ originally meant ‘alive.’” In award-winning local playwright Mark Scharf’s modern gothic tale, The Quickening, it’s the moment when one’s spirit — what constitutes one’s true self — takes... READ MORE
See Shakespeare under the summer sky
Summer is a comin’ in, which means that Shakespeare plays are moving out to stages under the stars. There is something about Shakespeare that suits outdoor productions very well. There are struggles against universal forces through beautiful language; a largeness of images; sometimes a need to conjure up magic. And there are powerful themes with stories so strong, yet still... READ MORE
Moving dark comedy packs a message
It’s amazing how little it takes for the sound of water to quickly transform from peaceful sloshes and ripples to a mighty, fearful roar. One moment you’re being calmed and relaxed. Suddenly, you’re powerless, swept away and helpless in the malevolent grip of an unyielding and mighty force. That’s just the first switch that playwright Gabrielle Reisman layers in for us in her... READ MORE
What’s onstage this summer and beyond
While Kennedy Center gets set to pack ‘em in this summer, several revivals of other award-winning and audience-arousing musicals — such as Mamma Mia!, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street — are set for staging by Howard County theater groups. Mamma Mia! will be moving and grooving at Toby’s Dinner Theater soon. The play, inspired by the songs... READ MORE
Fats Waller to Shakespeare this summer
If you’re stage-struck year-round, you’ll have plenty of theatrical offerings in the upcoming months to keep you entertained. Baltimore’s Arena Players, the oldest continuously operating African-American community theater in the United States, will put on the popular Fats Waller musical, Ain’t Misbehavin’ from June 8 to July 1 (Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 4... READ MORE
